Lactose intolerance

Imagine your tummy has tiny helpers called enzymes. One helper, called lactase, is super important for breaking down a sugar in milk called lactose. If you don't have enough lactase helpers, lactose can make your tummy feel a bit grumpy, causing ouchies, gas, or needing the bathroom a lot. It's like trying to eat a giant cookie with no teeth – it's hard to break down!

Most babies have lots of lactase helpers to drink milk. But as kids grow up, sometimes these helpers get a little sleepy. This is called primary lactose intolerance.

It's super common, and it doesn't mean anything is wrong with you. It just means your body is changing how it handles milk sugar. Some people are born with fewer helpers, and that's called congenital lactose intolerance, but it's very rare.

Sometimes, if your tummy gets a little bump or hurt, like from a sickness, it can make your lactase helpers take a break. This is called secondary lactose intolerance. It's like if your favorite toy broke and you couldn't play with it for a while. The good news is, if the tummy bump heals, your lactase helpers might come back to work!

If your tummy feels upset after dairy, don't worry! You can still enjoy yummy foods. Some people can drink a little bit of milk, especially with a meal, without problems. Others might take a special lactase helper pill before eating dairy. It's all about finding what makes your tummy feel happy and comfortable!