B.F. asks from Los Angeles, CA on June 17, 2011
1 Year Old with Diarrhea
Hi ladies,
my one year old son has had diarrhea for 3 weeks now. because of this, I haven't switched him to cow milk. He got better after week 2 but has it again, maybe 1-2 times per day. There is mucos in it, but no blood. He has only been eating rice, crackers, apples, bannanas and other bland stuff. he wonlt eat yogurt or drink pedialyte, so I am just giving him plain water. I also tried soy formula for a couple of weeks, I think it actually amde him worse! so i am back on Enfamil Gentle Ease. he has no fever or vomitting adn he is dong good - laughing, sleeping, etc - all OK.
His ped. is reccomending a GI specialist for pediatrics, I called and the doc won;t talk to me over the phone. the consultation is $350 ( we dont have insurance) I really don't mind paying if something is really wrong.I just don;t want to go to him to hear that this is a normal virus infection.
Anyhow, any advice? anyone had a sim iliar situation and was fine by itself? Thanks so much in advance
More Answers
S.H. answers from Honolulu on June 17, 2011
Yes, try to get on State sponsored health insurance.
Here is the link, for California:
http://www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov/Home/default.aspx
http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/pages/default.aspx
3 weeks is a long time for diarrhea.
Make sure, he does not get dehydrated. That is not good.
3 moms found this helpful
E.B. answers from Seattle on June 17, 2011
Soy is horrible. I put it up there with cows milk honestly. I am bias though because I am allergic to both.
Have you tried adding a powdered Probiotic to his food? You can buy it in the natural section at most Kroger/Fred Meyer stores. I get the kind that is in the bigger tub..with the yellow lid. I cant think of the name of it right now.
They gave some to my kiddo at the hospital yesterday. He has been having non-stop bum blow outs now since Saturday. Once they got the Probiotics into him, it stopped.
I dont have any other advice on how to get it to ease up. If the doc is thinking he needs to see a gastro specialist, it may be worth the $$ to just get him checked out. You dont want there to be something serious going on and not caught.
Can you apply for state Insurance? The will normally cover any kid that has gone without insurance. You do have to meet certain guidelines $$ wise, but normally they will not turn a kiddo away.
2 moms found this helpful
D.G. answers from Las Vegas on June 18, 2011
According to the Mayo Clinic website, some of the advice you got from some of the moms is incorrect. The most important thing is to keep your son hydrated with an electrolyte liquid; if he doesn't drink pedialyte then use Gatorade, but avoid apple and pear juice. Put him on the BRAT diet -- that's bananas, rice, applesauce and dry toast (I found oatmeal helps too); and avoid high fiber foods and dairy products (don't know if that includes formula). And finally, give him a probiotic. The article also said that if it's caused by a bacterial infection then antibiotics are indicated; if it's a virus then it just has to run it's course. If it doesn't get better soon, I'd go back to your Pediatrician and let him know that you can't afford a specialist who charges $350 for a consultation. If that becomes your only choice then try to negotiate a lower fee with the specialist.
1 mom found this helpful
B.V. answers from Los Angeles on June 18, 2011
K.K. answers from San Diego on June 18, 2011
Hello, That is a lot of money. However, three weeks with diarrhea is a long time for anyone, much less a baby. I would get it checked.
Good luck with your precious baby.
K. K.
E.R. answers from Los Angeles on June 18, 2011
My kids have a lot of GI stuff minor though.
Try culturelle probiotics for kids. It's a powder you mix into his food or drink with no flavor. You can buy it at any drug store. Just make sure it's the one for kids. It's the same as yogurt, but since he won't eat yogurt, it's another option.
J.D. answers from Los Angeles on June 18, 2011
So did he have any vaccinations prior to this and do NOT get any while he is sick. If he did then he is having a reaction to the vaccine probably and you need to be very cautious next time around and be selective of which ones he really needs.
I would also add in a probiotic (not from yogurt) - go to Henrys/Sprouts or Whole Foods and have the person there help which one would be best.
Stay off ALL dairy/casein, soy and go to this site to look for hidden sources of it and what to replace with, recipes, etc.http://www.tacanow.org/tag/gfcf/
S.R. answers from Los Angeles on June 22, 2011
My son seemed to have continuous vomiting and diarrhea for the first 2 years of his life. We spent a fortune (also no insurance) on all the tests etc and nothing showed up. Meds and soy milk made him worse! What worked for us was to ensure he kept his fluid intake up and cut out formula (and dairy products) completely for a while. He would eat rice cereal, grated apple and mashed banana. He eventually just "grew out of it" and is now a perfectly healthy and strong 18 year old! :) The only thing to be really wary of is to ensure he drinks enough (although in our case it was vomiting and diarrhoea after every feed and not only once or twice a day!). Since he has no fever or vomiting its very unlikely that its an infection. It might be a difficulty in digesting dairy and / or gluten (found in all wheat products). Best of luck ... I know how hard it is, but hang in there. It DOES get better! :)
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