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 *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html