cows milk / lactose intolerance in a 2 yr old

I have lactose intolerance although I didn't find out until I was 42.

You need to pay attention to her calcium intake. She should have no problem eating hard cheese and live yoghurt is also usually OK. There is also treated milk available. It's called Lactofree and is available in supermarkets both fresh and UHT. Lactose is in all types of milk so goats milk is not suitable as a substitute.

You will have to keep an eye on the ingredients of food. Lots of ready made products have enough lactose in to affect me. Cakes, biscuits, pies, sausages, chocolate , chicken tikka masala etc etc. The things to look out for are 'dried skimmed milk' and 'whey protein'. Most margarines contain milk products; butter is actually lower in lactose than many of them.

Having said all that accidentally eating some lactose only causes temporary discomfort so you don't have to be totally paranoid like you do with a serious allergy. And you can buy lactase enzyme in capsules to enjoy some of the items listed above.

Lactose intolerance doesn't cause asthma or dry skin. The symptoms are entirely digestive (gas, cramps, nausea, bowel problems). If you have been told cow's milk is causing the asthma & skin problems then that sounds more like an allergy. You really should get advice from who ever made the diagnosis.

http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthissues/foodintolerance/foodintolerancetypes/milkallergy/

http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthissues/foodintolerance/foodintolerancetypes/lactoseintol/