I would say that though I am surprised that blood can survive the passage
through the baby's gut so that he poops it out red, the explanation is *not*
because of the lack of enzymes.  The mother's milk actually provides enzymes
(proteases in this case) to complement "enzymes which aren't working to full
capacity" (there we go again talking about breastfeeding as if it were
formula feeding).  If it is possible, it is merely that the baby has rapid
gastrointestinal transit time, especially if there is blood in the gut.  I
think if there is blood in the stool and the mother has bleeding from the
nipples, hey, go where the money is.  Most of the time, babies will spit up
blood in the stomach, but not always.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC

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