Unsure about Pedi's advice - HELP!

PennyLane26 · October 2013

G began having frequent runny poops on Wednesday morning. I assumed it was because we tried spinach and could see it in her poop, thought she wasn't tolerating it.

As of this morning her poop continues to be strange and frequent- she's been pooping 6-7 times during the days and also overnight. It is very mucousy and bright yellow with white chunks. I took her to the pedi. They tested it and it is free of blood (thank goodness!) but her bum is raw and red and she cries whenever she poops.

Pedi said to switch her to soy formula because it may be a milk allergy or some sort of intolerance to her current formula. I'm not buying it though- she's been on this formula (Gerber Good Start Gentle) since 2 months- at 2 months she would have a bottle of it every other day (she was breastfed) but by 5 months she was on it consistently for the majority of her bottles (with 1-2 bottles of BM). Now she has been on strictly formula for one month.

She never had an issue with BM and I ate LOTS of cow's milk- ice cream, cheese, etc. Also she has been on milk based formula since she was a newborn without issue.

I'm thinking that all of this weird poop is because of the introduction of new solids in the past 2 weeks along with her 6 month shots from Monday- I think her system is on overload! Wouldn't new formula only add to the tummy distress?

WWYD? To switch or no?

Mrs.AmyDylan · October 2013

Eh, I'm not a dr, but switching formula when it is unlikely to be the problem based on what you are saying could cause additional problems. Since there is no blood in her stool, I would dial back her solids to single ingredient stuff she has had many times. She could also have a little bug. Hope she feels better! Hugs

ELF4321 · October 2013

Is she showing any signs of teething? DD was drooling like crazy for about a month before cutting her first teeth at 7m, and the excess drool can cause loose mucus-y stools and also changes the PH which can cause diaper rash. It sounds unlikely to be formula based on what you've said. Maybe wait it out for a week and see what happens?

TJ1979 · October 2013

Doesn't sound like a milk protein intolerance to me. Besides, a lot of kids with milk protein intolerance also have soy intolerance so that's not great advice in my opinion anyhow. I would bet it's related to other factors.

kaf7 · October 2013

I would also take her back to just the solids you know she's tolerated and wait a few days after normal poops resume to try anything new. If she had a stomach bug then sometimes kids do better on a lactose free formula for a few weeks (not permanently) but that would be the only formula change I would try if things weren't getting any better.

PennyLane26 · October 2013

Thanks for the input girls! I think I'm going to give the soy formula a try only because at this point she is having a violent poop after every bottle (poor girl!). If it doesn't seem to make a difference we will stick to her usual.

I'll continue solids but avoid those high in fiber (apples, peaches, etc) and offer banana to bind.

FX my girl will be better soon! My heart breaks for her. It's so hard to watch your LO suffer!

TJ1979 · October 2013

I wouldn't rule out apples. They are pretty easy to digest. When E has tummy issues, we do the BRAT diet, bananas, rice, apples, and toast.
I've heard a couple of days on soy can help with diarrhea (unrelated to milk intolerance) so I hope that helps LO.

TJ1979 · October 2013

Also, yogurt or probiotics help a lot.

pb_bride · October 2013

Oh, poor baby! Could she have a bug or something? I posted something similar about a week and a half ago... M started having diarrhea 7-8x a day (no overnight, thank goodness). 2 days later he spiked a fever, then it turns out he had HFM.

Anyway, I agree with TJ- stick with BRAT diet, and yogurt.