Linda:  The number one cause of blood in stools is cow-milk protein allergy
either in mom's diet or directly in baby's diet.  It accounts for 80% of
such cases.  The number two allergen causing both GI and other symptoms is
SOY.  In 50% of the cases where baby is allergic to CMP, they are also
allergic to soy.  In order to eliminate these from the system, mom needs
anywhere from 3- 21 days off the offending substance and baby needs a
similar time after the mom has cleared the food from her system.  A minimum
trial would be 7 days and it MUST be off ALL sources (including hidden
sources such as casein, whey, lactose, etc) in baked goods, prepared foods
etc.

According to the pediatric gastroenterologist, Marelle Vonlanthen, MD (who
spoke at the fabulous and enlightening CERP sessions at the LLLI conference
last week) it is physiologically impossible to have red streaks in the
stool that originate from the mother's bleeding nipples because by the time
it reaches the lower intestines of the baby, it will be enzymatically
changed.  It is likely that this baby was allergic to cmp or soy, OR that
there were rectal fissures caused by vigorous cleansing with commercial
baby wipes.

I hope this helps.

: )Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC  email: [log in to unmask]   : )
: )HSR & Health Educational Consultant        voice/fax: 541 753 7340    : )
: )LLLLLLLLLLLLL**CHANGE THE WORLD, NURTURE A CHILD!**LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL : )