Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops - 10ml

What Are Lactase Drops for Babies and How Can They Help?

If your baby seems unsettled after feeds — lots of wind, a bloated tummy, or loose stools — lactose intolerance could be the reason. Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops are an over-the-counter solution designed to help infants digest the lactose naturally present in breast milk and formula. Lactose intolerance in babies occurs when the gut doesn't produce enough of the enzyme lactase, meaning lactose passes undigested into the large bowel and causes discomfort. It's more common than many parents realise, and the good news is that it's manageable. You can browse our full range of baby and toddler products at Cured Pharmacy for further support.

Each 10ml bottle of Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops contains lactase enzyme in a convenient liquid format. The drops are added directly to expressed breast milk or formula before a feed, giving the enzyme time to start breaking down lactose before your baby even takes their first sip. At just £7.99, it's an accessible option for families looking for a straightforward, pharmacist-recommended approach to managing infant lactose intolerance.

How Do Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops Work in the Body?

The mechanism is elegantly simple. Lactase is the enzyme the small intestine normally produces to break down lactose — the sugar found in all mammalian milk. When an infant doesn't produce enough lactase, undigested lactose ferments in the gut, producing gas and drawing water into the bowel. That's what causes the bloating, cramps, and loose stools you might be seeing.

• The drops are added to a small amount of expressed milk or formula before feeding.
• The lactase enzyme begins breaking lactose down into two simpler sugars: glucose and galactose.
• These simpler sugars are easily absorbed through the gut wall without causing fermentation.
• Symptoms such as wind, bloating, and discomfort are reduced because there is less undigested lactose reaching the large bowel.

The process doesn't alter the nutritional value of the milk — your baby still receives all the proteins, fats, and other nutrients they need. The drops simply make the milk easier to digest.

Who Should Use Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops?

These drops are intended for infants who display signs consistent with lactose intolerance. It's worth noting that true congenital lactase deficiency is rare; more commonly, temporary lactase insufficiency occurs after a bout of gastroenteritis or in premature babies whose gut hasn't fully matured. A health visitor or GP can help confirm whether lactose intolerance is likely before you start using the drops.

Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops may be suitable for babies who experience:

• Excessive wind or flatulence after feeds
• Bloating or a visibly distended abdomen
• Loose, frothy, or watery stools
• Unsettled behaviour or crying during or after feeding

They are lactase drops for babies and are not intended for use in children or adults. They are not suitable for infants with galactosaemia — a rare inherited metabolic disorder — because the enzyme produces galactose as a breakdown product.

How Do Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops Compare to Other Options?

How Should Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops Be Stored?

Once opened, Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops must be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. Do not freeze the product, as freezing can damage the enzyme and reduce its effectiveness. Before opening, the drops can be stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat. Always check the expiry date on the bottle before use, and discard any remaining product after the period stated on the label once opened.

If you're managing other aspects of your baby's digestive health, it may also be worth exploring our vitamins and supplements range for infant-appropriate nutritional support, under guidance from your GP or health visitor.

This product is a medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using if you have an underlying medical condition or are taking other medicines.

What Is Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops and What Is It Used For?

Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops is an oral enzyme preparation containing lactase. It is used to help infants who cannot fully digest lactose — the natural sugar found in breast milk and most infant formulas. When a baby's small intestine doesn't produce sufficient lactase, lactose passes undigested into the large bowel, where gut bacteria ferment it. This fermentation produces gas and draws fluid into the bowel, causing the bloating, wind, cramping, and loose stools that are characteristic of lactose intolerance. The drops are added to expressed breast milk or formula before a feed, allowing the enzyme to pre-digest the lactose so your baby's gut doesn't have to.

Lactose intolerance in infants can be temporary — often following a gastrointestinal infection — or it may reflect a developmental immaturity in premature babies. In either case, Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops offer a practical, non-prescription way to manage symptoms while the underlying cause resolves or is investigated further by a healthcare professional.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops?

Before using these drops, it's important to be aware of the following contraindications and warnings:

• Galactosaemia: Do not use in infants with galactosaemia. The enzyme converts lactose into galactose, which babies with this condition cannot metabolise safely.
• Allergy: Do not use if your baby is known to be allergic to any of the ingredients listed on the product label.
• Medical advice first: Always consult your GP or health visitor before starting these drops, particularly if your baby is premature, unwell, or has any diagnosed medical condition.
• Not a substitute for medical diagnosis: Symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea, blood in stools, or poor weight gain require prompt medical assessment — do not rely solely on these drops.

Regarding drug interactions, no clinically significant interactions with other medicines have been established for lactase enzyme drops used in infants. However, always inform your pharmacist of any other medicines or supplements your baby is receiving.

• No known interactions with standard infant medicines or vitamins
• Inform your pharmacist if your baby is taking any prescribed medication

How Should You Use Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops?

Using the drops correctly is key to getting the best results. Follow these steps for each feed:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the drops or any feeding equipment.
2. Express a small amount of breast milk into a sterilised container, or prepare a small amount of formula as usual.
3. Add the recommended number of drops (typically 4 drops per feed — always check the product label) to the milk.
4. Stir or swirl gently to mix the drops into the milk.
5. Allow the mixture to stand for a few minutes at room temperature or in the refrigerator to give the enzyme time to act.
6. Offer the pre-treated milk to your baby before the rest of the feed.
7. For breastfeeding mothers, express a small amount first, treat it with the drops, and offer it to your baby before latching on.

Always follow the instructions on the product label. If you are unsure about the dose, speak to your pharmacist or GP before use. You can also find further digestive health support in our IBS and cramps section, which may be relevant for older family members experiencing similar digestive difficulties.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops?

Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops are generally very well tolerated in infants. Because lactase is a naturally occurring enzyme, adverse reactions are uncommon. That said, as with any product, side effects are possible.

Common side effects:

• Mild loose stools (particularly when first starting the drops)
• Slight increase in wind during the initial adjustment period

Less common side effects:

• Signs of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction — including skin rash, swelling, or unusual irritability — though these are rare
• Gastrointestinal discomfort if the drops are not adequately mixed into the milk before feeding

If your baby develops any signs of an allergic reaction, stop using the drops immediately and seek medical advice. If symptoms of lactose intolerance do not improve within a few days of consistent use, consult your GP, as an alternative diagnosis may need to be considered.

How Should You Store Care Co-Lactase Infant Drops?

• Store in a refrigerator (2°C–8°C) after opening.
• Do not freeze — freezing deactivates the lactase enzyme.
• Before opening, store at room temperature, away from direct heat and sunlight.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the bottle.
• Discard any remaining product after the number of days stated on the label once opened.

If you have any concerns about storage or product integrity, speak to your pharmacist. For other baby health essentials, our sickness and nausea range includes products suitable for managing common infant ailments alongside your GP's advice.