My Co-Leader and I were hoping we could get some additional ideas/references
etc. to help one of our Group members.  Here is her situation: (Co-Leader
writing)

I am writing to you for the first time on a rather urgent issue.  I am a La
Leche League leader who would like to present you with a case study.

Baby boy, born June 25, and therefore, at present, 11 weeks old.  Baby had
an uncomplicated, term, vaginal birth and has been completely healthy ever
since.  His birth weight was 7# 7oz and he is now 14 #.  Baby has only been
breastfed, and has never had any solids or supplementation, including
vitamins or flouride.  He is not on any medication, nor is his mother.
Mother is also very healthy.

Starting at one week baby had occasional green, mucosy bowel movements.
Baby has been  “gassy” but not a fussy baby, nor does baby regularly spit-up
or vomit.  Starting at eight weeks, baby began to have blood threads
throughout the stool, on occasion.  The bowel movements began to be
frequently green, with mucous.  Some days the diapers will only have flecks
of blood and other days there will be much more.  Mother estimates the blood
loss to be ¼ teas in 24 hrs.  Baby has about four BM’s in 24 hr period.
Blood is bright red flecks or threads.

Mother has begun changing diet over the past three weeks and believes she
has taken out all of the “usual” offending foods.  We have gone over the
list of possible offenders at length. No change has been seen in the BM’s.
We have also discussed hind-milk/fore-milk imbalance.

Baby’s doctor has told mother it could be something in her diet that the
baby is reacting to, or the baby could be allergic to her breastmilk itself.
(!)  After consultation with a gastro-intestinal specialist, mother has been
advised to discontinue breastfeeding in ONE WEEK if changes are not seen by
altering the mother’s diet.

Interestingly, the baby’s sibling, at present, two-and-a half-years-old, had
a similar problem with blood in the stools at around 6 months of age.
Mother began solid foods and the blood was no longer seen.  Baby’s sibling
has no known allergies at present, nor do mother or father.  Grandparents
have no known allergies but are lactose intolerant.  ALSO:  Mother’s sister’
s children experienced similar blood in the stools.  This was eliminated
when the mother discontinued soy in her own diet.

The case-study mother attends our meetings regularly, breastfed her older
child for eighteen months, and has some knowledge of the benefits of
breastfeeding.  I would appreciate any studies, other case studies and
professional opinions to present why formula feeding may not be the only, or
best option, for this baby.

Thank you for your time.