Loose bowel movements

My son is 3½ and about a year ago, he started vomiting after drinking milk or eating something with large quantities or milk. We took him to the doctor thinking that he could be lactose intolerant, but all of the tests came back negative. The doctor did say that they weren't always conclusive but to slowly reintroduce normal milk into his diet. The first time he drank real milk he vomited and since then, he has been on lactose free milk. My question is that sometimes (more often than not, actually) that his bowel movements are very loose - not diarrhea, but not solid either and they are always the same light brown colour. Could some kind of allergy be causing this or something else? He does eat products, such as cheese and yoghurt, that are not lactose free and he does complain of a poorly tummy on occasion, too.

[Renee Radenberg]

Your son's weight and height are within normal for his age which is good. With lactose intolerant there are different degrees of it due to amount of lactase enzyme in the stomach which digest lactose (dairy sugar). Some people cannot have any dairy products at all yet some can tolerate cheese, yogurt but no milk (Some people can tolerate skim milk but not whole milk). Most people with lactose intolerance have loose bowels to diarrhea after eating dairy products and have mild to severe (depending on how much they eat) abdominal pains. Suggest having your son tested by an Allergist so you know if he has an allergy or just intolerance.  

[sunworld67]

Thank you very much!

[Renee Radenberg]

Glad I was able to help you.