For a snack, first choose a category of milk that’s suitable for your child’s age, then compare lactose-free UHT milks. Anses advises that ordinary milk should not replace breast milk or infant formula before the age of one, and recommends growing-up milk rather than cow’s milk for children aged one to three. If cow’s milk is suitable for your child and reducing lactose meets their needs, check the ingredients, pack size and storage instructions after opening. The word “filtered” alone isn’t enough to answer these questions.
You’re considering ordinary lactose-free milk after checking what type of milk is suitable for your child’s age. Anses recommends growing-up milk rather than cow’s milk during this period; the words “lactose-free” don’t change the product category.
Once you’ve established which type of milk is suitable for your child, compare pack sizes with the amount they’re likely to drink. An opened UHT bottle must then be stored according to the instructions on the packaging, particularly if you can’t keep it chilled while you’re out.
Before changing milk, you’ll want to find out whether lactose or milk proteins may be the cause and have the symptoms assessed. Assurance Maladie distinguishes lactose intolerance from milk protein allergy; lactose-free milk is still a milk-based product.
For a toddler’s snack, check your child’s age and the reason for changing milk before choosing a convenient pack size.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Age and milk category | Your child’s age and the type of product: infant formula, growing-up milk or ordinary UHT milk. Anses advises against using ordinary drinks as a substitute before the age of one and recommends growing-up milk for children aged one to three. | If my child is still very young, I want to know whether the product is right for their age before considering it for a snack. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise this suitability. |
| Lactose and milk proteins | The reason for choosing it, the ingredients and the lactose content stated for that product. If a milk protein allergy is suspected, seek medical advice rather than relying on the words “lactose-free” alone. | When the cause of symptoms is unclear, I don’t want to confuse reducing lactose with removing milk proteins. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise this distinction. |
| Pack size and storage | The bottle size, how much is likely to be consumed and the refrigeration instructions after opening. Carrefour lists 50 cl and 1 L packs among its products. | For an occasional snack, I prefer a container that suits how it’ll be used, so I can manage any leftovers after opening. Around 16% of consumers would make pack size and storage their priority. |
UHT processing and reducing lactose don’t turn ordinary milk into infant formula. Anses advises that ordinary drinks should not replace breast milk or infant formula before the age of one, and recommends growing-up milk rather than cow’s milk for children aged one to three.
First identify the category of milk that’s right for your child’s age, then compare products within that category.
Lactose-free milk still contains milk: reducing lactose doesn’t remove the proteins that cause cow’s milk protein allergy.
If an allergy is suspected, seek medical advice before changing milk to address the symptoms.
An opened UHT bottle must be refrigerated and consumed within the time stated on its packaging. For the products mentioned, Lactel advises using within three days of opening, while Candia+ advises four days.
Compare 50 cl and 1 L packs with the amount you expect to use, then follow the instructions for the product you buy.
Any milk that can’t be used within this time may have to be thrown away.
On its own, this term doesn’t tell you which category of milk is right for your child’s age, the lactose content or the product’s ingredients.
Base your choice on the information on the packaging: the type of milk, ingredients, pack size and storage instructions.
This range includes skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole lactose-free UHT milk, which differ in particular in their fat content.
Candia offers lactose-free milk with 1% fat, including 50 cl and 1 L bottles, as well as multipacks.
Carrefour offers semi-skimmed lactose-free milk under this brand, including 50 cl and 1 L packs.
E.Leclerc offers Délisse lactose-free UHT milk in a multipack of six 50 cl bottles.
Auchan’s range includes its own-brand lactose-free milk, including multipacks of 50 cl and 1 L bottles, alongside Lactel and Candia+ products.
No. Ordinary lactose-free UHT milk should not replace breast milk or infant formula before the age of one. Anses states that ordinary drinks of animal or plant origin are not suitable substitutes at this age.
No. “Lactose-free” doesn’t mean that the milk proteins have been removed. The lactose-free milk products featured here contain milk; seek medical advice if an allergy is suspected.
Switching to lactose-free milk isn’t always necessary. Assurance Maladie advises continuing or quickly resuming breastfeeding or the child’s usual infant formula. It mentions temporary lactose-free milk in cases of severe diarrhoea or diarrhoea lasting more than seven days. Ask a healthcare professional to assess your child’s situation.
Follow the time and temperature instructions on the bottle you buy. For its skimmed milk, Lactel advises using it within three days of opening and storing it at no more than 6 °C. Candia advises using Candia+ within four days and storing it between +1 and +6 °C.