The case that Mary Ellen writes about is the kind that I find so 
frustrating. Bood is stools is a symptom--symptoms are information 
about a condition that needs treatment.

She writes:
"Here's the case: Second baby, born at 39 weeks, 7lbs. 3oz. No formula 
in the hospital. Exclusively breastfed. At 8 week check-up mom told 
Ped. about bloody stools (sometimes spotty, sometimes jelly, it 
varied). Mom stopped all dairy and beef immediately per Ped. and then 
soy a few days later (very diligent to diet). Bloody stools continued 
for a few weeks and at approx. 12 weeks pp, mom started pancreatin 2-4 
tablets after each meal and 2 after each snack, also 2 caps fish oil 
mid-day (per my suggestion). Blood appeared to be gone in 48 hrs. and 
stool was tested negative at Ped.. five days later. At about 8 days 
after starting enzyme blood returned(nothing had changed in diet or 
mom's supplementation). At this time mom started a probiotic (per 
Ped.). At week 14 (which is this week), much to mom's disappointment, 
Ped.introduced Neutramagin. Now baby has diarrhea and still occasional 
blood ranging from jelly-like to spotted...On top of this, with change 
in diet mom is getting frequent painful canker sores/ulcers in her 
mouth and has lost 35 pounds (since baby's birth) and has reduced 
energy due to diet and stress. She is probably smaller now than her 
pre-pregnancy weight, which was petite. Pediatrician's nurse told her 
she could nurse in morning and evening, give formula during the day, 
and eat some dairy products...???? Is it now time for a GI specialist? "

First, though I do want to note that this ped sure seems to have more 
than the avg knowledge base, and while the use of AIM makes no sense at 
all, many of his recommendations are very pro-bf.

I have come to believe that almost every case of food allergy in babies 
begins with a leaky gut in the mother. You cannot heal the baby without 
healing the mother, too. So often, we see allergy situations in which 
everyone seems to be simply chasing their tales, as it were. When one 
allergen is eliminated another seems to show up. An elimination diet 
can be a management tool and can give the gut an opportunity to heal, 
but it is far from the final solution. Underlying any food allergy 
situation is inlfammation and one tool in healing inflammation is most 
certainly eliminating allergens. But, the gut often does not heal 
without further assistance and tools for healing include the use of 
digestive enzymes (I use only plant-based enzymes from a very limited 
group of manufacturers--quality matters!!.) Moms must take the enzymes 
both with food and between meals. It is essential to take them between 
meals, so that they can act to heal the gut, rather than only acting on 
digestion. Enzymes are involved in all chemical processes in the body 
and are essential to normal metabolism as well.

When enzymes are begun, you will often see a return of bleeding--this 
is normal and not unhealthy or dangerous. It is like washing a 
wound--it will be sensitive and raw for awhile, but it will heal and 
without infection. One of the greatest risks of allopathic 
(contemporary western) medicine is that patients have learned to 
tolerate no discomfort and often cannot recognize a healing process. 
Her reduced energy is not b/c she is eating a deficient diet--it is the 
healing process taking place. A diet without cow milk, beef and soy is 
far from deficient. I do an only lemon juice detox twice a year that 
lasts for 10 days--during that time, I always get canker sores--when 
they show up like this, they are a sign of detox. That does not mean it 
is harmful to the baby--the mother's body is just healing. I would act 
to further support the healing. If this were my body, I would take 60 
mg of zinc for several weeks, L-glutamine, MSM--powder--not capsules, a 
super green food like Perfect Food or Vita Mineral Greens (I have no $$ 
connection), fish oil (I am VERY picky about the brand I suggest) and 
an excellent probiotic. Do not add cow milk back to the diet--that is 
absurd. The mother can eat coconut oil (2tbsp per day) to get healthy, 
nourishing fats instead.
And get the baby back on the breast immediately!!! If I knew more about 
the mom, I would probably have some other specific thoughts.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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