Dear Lacnetters,
I know this subject has been posted a lot and I have searched the archives for
information.  This case has one more variable, however.  This baby has had
some rectal bleeding since birth-about a streak to a nickel size dark red
blood in 3-4 diapers a day out of 6-7 total diapers/day.  Baby is now 4 months
old.  Mom has VonWillebrand's disease (maybe misspelled) and has platelet
transfusions monthly.  Baby also has this genetic trait.  Doctor has not been
concerned up until now as all lab values have been normal, development normal,
etc.  but now thinks it should have ceased.  Mom has been on a dairy-free diet
(says exclusive but??) for 10 days-I know may take longer.  Has seen no
change.  This has been a WONDERFUL breastfeeding experience for both her and
baby, her last, after having extremely hard time with bleeding nipples with
previous sons-I didn't know her then.  Her doctor has told her to quit
breastfeeding and put baby on Nutramigen.  She,of course, doesn't want to do
that.  He told her that would be less traumatic than all the tests she would
have to go through!!!!GRRRRRRR.  She is going to a ped. GI tomorrow who is
known to be more "conservative" hoping to have testing but not any that will
require anesthesia.  The two things she does not want is to have her baby put
under anesthesia and to stop breastfeeding.   My question:  What effect may
the Von Willebrand's be having on this situation-either mom's treatment or the
baby's genetic predispositon?  I can help her through the elimination if that
is even necessary.  The baby is doing FINE--do we have to fix that?
'