Is Milk Harmful During an Illness?

As the ad jingle goes, milk it does a body good.  But many parents ask me if they should stop giving their sick child cow’s milk.  Myth or truism?  Here’s the lowdown.

Snotfest:  
It is true that milk may increase the thickness of mucous during a cold or other respiratory infection.  It will not, however, worsen or prolong the illness itself.  Avoiding dairy products during a respiratory illness may make your icky-feeling kid feel slightly less icky.  But during any illness it is crucial that children drink plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated.  If milk is the only thing your little one will drink during an illness, then give him milk!

Stomach woes:  
What about the “stomach flu:”  should your child stop drinking milk when he has vomiting or diarrhea?  The “stomach flu,” which is otherwise known as gastroenteritis and is an acute inflammation of the stomach and intestines, is usually caused by a virus.  These infections, though dreadful for children and parents, are typically short-lived.  Drinking milk is rarely harmful for kids with gastroenteritis.  Making sure that your child stays well hydrated despite her fluid losses is the most important thing you can do in this illness.  And so again, if milk is the only thing your little one will drink, give her milk!   

There are times, however, when I recommend that patients avoid dairy products.  After a chronic or severe gastrointestinal illness with prolonged diarrhea, the intestines may not process the main carbohydrate in milk, lactate, as well as usual.  This “lactose intolerance” is transient, and resolves after the cells lining the intestinal walls have a chance to heal.  A 3-week period of dairy avoidance can give the intestines enough rest to recover.

Some parents of children with chronic nasal congestion from allergies, or who are especially prone to sinus infections, tell me that their children’s symptoms are improved when they avoid dairy products.  However, when you are deciding whether to eliminate dairy products from your child’s diet, make sure that the treatment is not worse than the illness.  I know plenty of chronically sniffling children who would choose to eat yogurt and cheese even if they remain snotty.  

So should sick children avoid cow’s milk?  You, and your child, can decide together, based on your situation.

Tips for Parents: 

• When children are sick, keeping them well hydrated is top priority.  
• When you eliminate anything from your child’s diet, make sure that the benefits outweigh the downsides.  It is not easy for children to forgo cheese, yogurt, and the occasional ice cream cone.
• If your child is not eating dairy products for more than a few weeks, please make sure that he is getting enough calcium in his diet to grow strong and healthy bones.

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