T.B. asks from Deerfield Beach, FL on February 18, 2009
My Newborn Has Had Diareha for a Month. What Could Be Causing It?
My newborn has had diareha for a month. She was in the hospital and tested for all viruses and milk allergy which were negative. She was on medication with a side affect of diareha but has been off the medication for five days and still has it. Could it be the formula? I am givivg her enfamil. Should I switch formula?
So What Happened?™
Thanks for all the great and quick responses to my problem. I have been working with a great gastro pediatrician because she was in the hospital for vomitting and dehydration due to a viral infection. She has been sick from the beginning and I feel it has been a combo of issues. It has been frustrating from the beginning. The docter suggested by phone to switch to a lactose free formula and administer florastor(found at any drugstore at the pharmacy) in her milk once a day.The diarehha was from the formula. After three days of the florastor she had her first normal bowel movement. She has still been very fussy and seemed to be uncomfortable. Today we had a docters visit and he noticed a rash on her chest as well as some skin dryness around eyes and scalp that were an allergic reaction. He then had me switched to another formula that is hypoallergenic and for senstive stomach as well as a colic baby. I will be returning to the docter in three days. Hopefully,this will work and she will be a much happier baby. I will keep everyone posted. Thanks again.
Featured Answers
A.G. answers from Mayaguez on February 20, 2009
She must be dehydrated by now. And the best advice you can get is from the pediatrician NOW.
If you decide on changing the formula, have her on Pedialyte for a day before starting the new one.
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L.N. answers from New York on February 18, 2009
it's been a month of diahrrea. that's too long. switch formula, keep the new formula for a few weeks and see if it makes a difference.
1 mom found this helpful
J.S. answers from Miami on February 19, 2009
Hi,
If you are a stay at home mom and able to nurse with mother's milk and avoid using processed formula altogether that would be the ideal scenario. If you have to use formula I'd recommend finding a natural, organic food based formula - see what Whole Foods has. Meanwhile, there is probably a stress/emotional component to the diarrhea, so help your infant feel calm and secure and work to relieve any stress you and your partner and others in the household may be experiencing. Babies and young children are quite sensitive to the energies of those around them.
Best wishes,
JS - ____@____.com
1 mom found this helpful
L.H. answers from Miami on February 18, 2009
first of all is it REALLY diarrhea or is it LOOSE STOOLS?
www.askdrsears.com is an amazing resource:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t081500.asp
next: just becaue it is not a milk ALLERGY does not mean that it is not a milk protein INTLERANCE. one is an IgE (ALLERGY) reaction and one is an IgG (INTOLERANCE)reaction
Conventional allergy testing looks for IgE reactions only. These types of reactions typically occur immediately after contact with or ingestion of the allergen, and in some cases can cause serious, even fatal, health problems. Potential IgE reactions include swelling of the lips and tongue, hives, bloating, abdominal pain, or sudden diarrhea. These are the reactions that people usually think of when they hear the word allergy. However, IgE reactions can also lead to many other symptoms not traditionally recognized as being caused by food allergies.
go to a ped GI
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A.C. answers from Jacksonville on February 18, 2009
I would try a soy formula. Maybe your baby is sensitive to the milk protein in the regular formula. also, i'm not sure how long medications stay in our systems but she may still be experiencing side effects from it. Hang in there!
M.H. answers from Jacksonville on February 19, 2009
Hi T., Enfamil did my son the same way. I changed him to can milk and Karo syrup. That did the same thing. So I put him on whole milk and liquid vitamins and he was fine "one month old." His diareha went away and he started growing like a weed. In the mornings and bedtime I put a little baby cereal in the milk. Most Dr's. will scream at you, but my son did better on whole milk. Good luck, M. H.
K.G. answers from Miami on February 19, 2009
call your doctor....this could get serious if it continues. The doctor will be able to answer your questions about formula, medications, etc. I would not take advice from anyone but a medical professional at this age.
T.B. answers from Jacksonville on February 19, 2009
After just 5 days the medication is probably the casue. Is it getting any better or still the same as in the beginning? You may want to try a gentlier formula. i don't have any experience with formula but i think they make a gentle kind. At least til the medication had run it's course. Remember her boddy is still so tiny so any medication at this young age will affect her.
P.P. answers from Orlando on February 18, 2009
It sounds very much like it's the formula. Try giving the baby more water. even though it's added in the formula, all babies are different, and your baby could require more liquids than other babies.
P.
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