Almost 2 1/2 years ago, when I was doing private consultations, ( I am not
now) I helped a mom with a preemie/slow to gain weight baby. By about eight
months we stopped keeping in touch as the baby was thriving and totally
breastfed. Mom had tried introducing some foods at about 6 months which
seemed to induce constipation, and some blood in the stools. Doctor
prescribed laxatives which mom was not comfortable about giving, but did.
She went back to exclusive breastfeeding somewhere over the next 2 months and
the baby's digestion returned to normal without the laxatives. The family
was also moving around that time (8mo) and she did not keep in touch with me
after that. ( I am drawing all of this from memory since I had not kept her
records)
This mom called me yesterday stating that she breastfed this baby until
around 15 mo of age. She said that she needed to use Lactolose syrup when
adding foods to the diet to induce bowel movements. Even though the foods
she was adding was mainly just fruits. Now her 2 1/2 yr old is still
laxative dependent, taking lactolose syrup and Mirulax (sp?). The doctor had
told her that the child probably be laxative dependent all her life. Even
with these laxatives the child has difficulty in passing stools (soft
formed), and sometimes will have a "plum" coloring to them. The mother is
thinking this is blood from high up in the GI tract. The child was on a
variety of foods at this point. The mom was worried about all of the
laxatives, switched doctors, and the new doctor stopped the laxatives, is
worried about hirschprung's, allergies, or possibly a digestive enzyme
difficiency. The new doctor is having mom exclusively breastfeed, which she
has done over the last 2 weeks. Stools are back to what mom calls "normal"
yellow breastfed stools. No plum coloring. The child was accidentally given
a corn dog and broke in a rash around the rectal area and on the face.
This mom's first child (all girls) has neurofibromatosis and some food
allergies. The second has severe food allergies. The first was not
breastfed at all and the second the mom had tried to relactate after formula
feeding for around 3-4 months when all the formulas didn't agree with her.
She was only able to produce a small amt of milk. This mom, herself, has
hypothyroid. After this third baby, mom developed a goiter until her levels
were undercontrol. Needless to say this mom's plate is definately full.
Sorry this has been so long, but just wondering if this sounds like allergies
to you all, or possibly something else. I discussed with her the need for
medical sleuthing, which she realizes, but hates to put her child through.
Sounds like this new doctor will keep the ball rolling to find out some
answers, but mom wanted my opinion. Any thoughts would be greatly
appreciated. She did give me permission to write to the group.
Thanks! Laurie McDaniel, RN, IBCLC
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