Hello! I wrote a few days back about my new DS's stools having weird colors. He is breastfed (through a bottle, as he is a preemie and still can't latch well), and started having these coral/pink dark brown stools. He is fine otherwise, but his ped says there is blood in his stool. They are also really watery and minimal. I had to get a sample to the lab for testing to make sure it isn't an infection. Haven't heard back yet. Anyway, his ped suggested that it may be a milk allergy? Or, an acid reflux related upper gastro thing, or an infection. She prescribed Zantac for him (he is also EXTREMELY gassy and strains alot), but I have yet to give it to him, as I am trying to find out what it is exactly...and rule out a milk allergy. The milk allergy would come fromt he enfamil enfasure that I am giving him. This all started Tuesday, and we switched him from Similac's similar fortifier to the enfamil (due to being in a different state than he was born in and what WIC will provide). It seems pretty "coincidental" that 3 days after switching this would happen. However, there has been no change and it has been 24 hours since I have JUST been giving him my milk, no fortifier. So, now I am thinking it is an infection or a blood vessel that has broken. Any suggestions or help would be greatful, or anyone who knows how long a milk allergy should get out of his system, so I can know if it is that, or if I should give the Zantac. Thanks! :)

It could take up to two weeks for all the milk proteins to get out of his system. You will need to avoid all milk products and milk proteins in your diet also to see if there is any improvement.

My daughter had funky looking stools as an infant. Hers was tested and it did show blood. I was breastfeeding and had to stop all dairy in my diet. This includes processed food with "whey" and "casien" which are both forms of milk. I had to read all labels and make sure she wasn't getting any dairy. She eventually outgrew it and drinks milk just fine now. Dairy in the diet is a very common cause of bloody stools in infants.

Not that I don't trust my ped, but I called Burlington, where he was born and we lived for 4 weeks. They are so amazing there! The ped called me (their ped) and talked to me about this, and she thinks it is some kind of milk intolerance too. The only thing I can't understand (and they haven't yet told me to avoid milk products), is why he is getting this now, when I have been drinking milk the WHOLE pregnancy and time I have been pumping. I guess I didn't realize that this was something that could just come on. And, their ped also told me that it could take a few days to get out of his system. Then she made me an appointment in Burlington on Monday with a Pediatric Gastro! She says they are VERY hard to get in to see, due to the fact that there are only 2 in the area!! It is a 3 hour drive, but will do it for him. To help get him over this whole thing. I am hoping it is just the Enfamil fortifier and not me, as it will be VERY hard for me to give up dairy. I will, just very hard. Not sure how much longer my milk supply is going to stay anyway...it is already diminishing b/c he isn't directly nursing. Thanks for the replies. I am still waiting for the results from the ped's office, and I called earlier to find out, the nurse said they would call by the end of the day...it is now 5:20pm, so unless they are there late today, they aren't calling. I swear I will page the ped if they don't call me tonight! I hate waiting when it comes to my kids health!

Hi there -

We had MAJOR issues with my daughter and noticed them about one week after she came home from the hospital (she has been formula fed since day one). She was VERY gassy, would scream from the gas pains, was VERY fussy - it was just a horrible time. We kept switching formulas - from regular Enfamil to Soy brands to hypoallergenic Enfamil (Nutramagen) and the Similac version (Allamentum) - absolutely nothing helped. We finally took her to a gasto specialist and they checked her stool - although to the eye, it looked fine other than a bit watery, she tested positive for blood in her stool which was an allergy of some sort. She was diagnosed with a protein allergy and they said she it was basically irritating her intestines so much it was causing the blood in her stool and for her to be so uncomfortable. We then had to be switched to a prescription formula - the proteins in the formula are really broken down for easier digestion, even more so that the Enfamil and Similac hypoallergenic formulas. The first formula constipated her so we were then switched to another it's called Elecare and it has helped IMMENSELY! We are unsure which protein she is allergic to, but the gastro dr. told us that a lot of babies have this issue when they are young and do eventually outgrow it. I've got my fingers crossed.

Prior to knowing that this was a protein allergy, the doctors thought she had acid reflux and put her on Prilosec. It just didn't seem to help at all, and was very difficult to give to her because she kept trying to spit it out. Once we had her formula right, we realized it was not acid reflux and stopped giving her the Prilosec, and trust me when I tell you, she is a whole new baby.

The prescription formulas are expensive, but a lot are covered by insurance. We are lucky because in our state, insurance has to cover prescription formulas 100% which is a lifesaver because the formula is $50 per can and they prescribe 20 cans per month!

Good luck with the gastro dr. I hope you find out what's going on. I know how horrible it is to not know and to go through this. Let us know what happens. :)

I just read in one of my infant care books that blood in the stool can be the only sign of a milk protein allergy, although sometimes it is also accompanied by projectile vomiting. My oldest DD had a milk protein allergy that wasn't diagnosed until she was about 2 months old. Unfortunately, if that's it, it wouldn't just be the formula, it would also be any dairy or milk protein in your diet as well. :( Please keep us informed about your progress in finding out what the problem is and what they do about it. It is so difficult to get a "real" diagnosis sometimes and they are so quick to say "cholic," "reflux" or something else that masks the actual problem, let alone any real info about what to do about the actual problem.

Well, back from Burlington and the Ped Gastro. She was amazing! She agrees that it is a milk allergy (or protein/soy allergy). She told me to not use the Enfacare and just give him me....as they don't want him to not get my milk. She did not say to go off dairy yet...just wait and see if we can get the blood out of his stools...as it may be just a small allergy to the fortefier. So, I have to keep track of his weight, and he isn't gaining as well on just me. I have lessened my intake of dairy, but not completely. I read up on that, and I don't think I could do it, which makes me feel like a bad person and mom, but I have issues with arthritis and degenerating bones ( I am 27 and have already had a hip replacement) so for me, I need the dairy. So, I am praying that this is just a small enough thing that not using the fortefier will heal him.

Luckydarlin--I too was told to use the hypoallergenic brands if we ended up needing to fortify. Of course, all babies are different, so it may work for him, but I will ask about the formula you ended up with. My ped also put him on Zantac for acid reflux, but I have yet to give it to him. I don't want to give my kids something they don't truly need. I love how some docs are quick to fork out meds they aren't sure we need!

His stools are lightening...and are more yellow again...there is less blood in them and so we are really hoping that he can still have my milk. I have a HUGE supply frozen, and it would be a shame to have to throw it out. I am currently going through and trying to fine the early milk (colostrom) to give him before they tell me that he cannot have me anymore...so that he will at least get the best of the bunch! LOL! Thanks for the support and advice. I will keep updating as I know what is up. :)

Glad to hear you got some answers at the doctor!! Good luck with the feedings and look forward to hearing how the babe is progressing! :)

hi there... i'm totally with you on not giving babies medicines they don't need... however... my daughter had very similar issues as your baby (different causes though) and the zantac made a huge difference for her. we only gave it to her regularly for a week or two, and i think it really helped her feel more comfortable (you know how much it hurts to have acid indigestion!!!). anyway, if your baby still acts uncomfortable, you might give the zantac a try...