Lactose-Free Diet for 6-Month-Old Infants: Safe Foods & Formula Options

At 6 months, complementary foods begin. For lactose-intolerant infants:

Formula Base (Primary Nutrition Until 12 Mo)

• Soy Formula: Lactose-free, plant protein. Not for preterm <1800g or soy allergy.
• Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula: Cow milk protein broken down; lactose-free versions exist.
• Amino Acid Formula: For severe allergy/malabsorption.
• Lactose-Free Cow Milk Formula: Lactose removed, replaced with corn syrup solids.

First Foods (All Naturally Lactose-Free)

• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, oat, barley) mixed with formula/breast milk.
• Pureed meats (high bioavailable iron/zinc).
• Vegetables: Sweet potato, carrot, squash, green beans, peas.
• Fruits: Banana, avocado, apple, pear, peach.
• Legumes: Lentils, beans (well-cooked, pureed).

Avoid

• Cow's milk, yogurt, cheese, custard as drinks/foods <12 mo.
• Processed foods with hidden lactose (whey, milk solids, caseinates).

Critical

If breastfeeding, mother does not need dairy-free diet; lactose in breast milk is synthesized independently of maternal intake. Only if infant has cow milk protein allergy (not lactose intolerance) should mother eliminate dairy.