Lactose-Free Milk or Soy-Based Formulas Do Not Improve Caregivers' Distress or Perceptions of Difficult Infant...

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infant Nutrition
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Infant feeding problems are common and can cause caregiver distress.
• The role of lactose in infant fussiness and crying is debated.
• Lactose-free (LF) formulas are often used to manage these issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test if lactose-free (LF) milk-based or LF soy-based formulas improve infant behavior and caregiver distress compared to standard milk-based formula.
• To evaluate the impact of different infant formulas on caregiver-reported infant difficulties and parental distress.

Main Methods:

• Double-blind randomized controlled trial involving infants with feeding problems.
• Infants were randomized to receive LF milk-based, LF soy-based, or milk-based lactose-containing formula for 14 days.
• Caregivers completed validated questionnaires on infant behavior and caregiver distress at baseline and follow-up.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in infant difficultness or caregiver distress between the LF formulas and the standard milk-based formula.
• All groups showed significant improvement in infant behavior and caregiver distress from baseline to follow-up.
• The study did not support the use of LF formulas for common infant behavioral issues like fussiness or crying.

Conclusions:

• Lactose-free formulas are not more effective than standard milk-based formulas in alleviating common infant behavioral problems.
• Infant behaviors and caregiver distress may improve spontaneously within a few weeks.
• Further research may be needed to understand the underlying causes of infant feeding problems.