what causes white stools, diarrhea in toddler - Bowel Disorders Message Board

gurlLA · 10-27-2007, 07:44 PM

What causes white stools, diarrhea in toddler? My thirteen month old has had loose bowels (4-8 times a day) for the past five weeks. This began with what seemed to be a virus, although I stopped nursing and started whole milk around the same time. I am not sure if the milk caused the symptoms or if it really was a virus. I took her to the pediatrician after three weeks of runny, loose bowel movements, and she said give it time. Well, once yesterday and once today she has had very pale, almost white bms with clumps (maybe undigested food?). In between, she had "normal" green/brown diarrhea. I have decided to collect (if it happens again) and take to the pediatrician, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on what this could be. I am so confused by what my pediatrician says versus my brain telling me that something is not right. I just don't believe that this is what she called a "normal adjustment to whole milk."

Ratatosk · 10-29-2007, 01:25 PM

Breast milk has natural enzymes to help aid in digestion. Often times when one switches to formula or whole milk and there are malapsorption issues -- sometimes caused by cystic fibrosis, chrohns disease, allergies... it shows up around that time. IMO, ask for a second opinion. Especially since there seems to be a major correlation between the stool problems and the switch to whole milk

DS had MAJOR constipation issues when we switched him over from formula to whole milk...

SweetDeanie · 10-29-2007, 01:53 PM

Don't know for sure but I think I heard somewhere once that white stools indicated dehydration, maybe the other stools are shortly after consuming liquid but due to the diarhoea he isn't keeping fluids in and then becoming dehydrated.

I'd suggest you contact a doctors surgery helpline if only to enquire. Have you tried giving diaralytes or however that's spelt?