What could be possible cause for blood in stool of my 2-month old who is 100% breastfed.?

Question

We are suspicious of the baby being allergic to stuff my wife eats. Only thing strange my wife ate last night was one cup of chocolate icecream. Could that be it? If it is a fissure, what is the best method or medical exam to diagnose it?

My wife and baby just came back from the doctors. The baby will be with no breastfeeding for 48 hours. Instead we have to give her Similac H.A. to see if the symptoms dissapear. If they disappear, the pediatrician will place my wife on a special diet. At the same time we will have a stool test done to see if any bacterias are present. I will keep you posted.

The nipples do not have any bleeding whatsoever. No cracks at all.

Hey everybody, I understand the need for our baby to receive medical attention which we are receiving right now. But your answers and experiences have been very important for us to also evaluate the doctors opinion because this is the second time we are going through this with our baby and we feel the baby was misdiagnosed the first time. Like one of you mentioned that they had to do some very thorough testing on her baby. We thank you for your answers... all of them help.

Answer 1

This is almost certainly a milk allergy. Your baby may be sensitive to the protein in the dairy of your wife's diet.
To see if this is so, she should eliminate ALL dairy products (including the *hidden* ones in processed foods* for at least two weeks. It takes that amount of time to get it all out of her system, but you should see some signs of improvement in the baby after a week or so.

Dairy allergies are the most common kind and are easily eliminated. Going to formula is not a good solution, because most formulas are made from cow's milk, and babies who are allergic to dairy are often ALSO allergic to soy.

If the baby continues to have blood in the stool, then it it is time to see your pediatrician for testing.

From breastfeeding.com
http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/helpme_asklc_ans49.html

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Blood in stools in an infant is almost always associated with a dairy allergy. It is the bovine protein that causes the problem. And, yes, it can take two weeks for it to clear out of your wife's system. It is important during that time to read labels and be aware of "whey" (the watery part of milk). Also, beef needs to be removed from her diet because of the bovine protein. Yes, she should leave out the other products to begin with--eggs, corn, nuts, soy, and wheat. These are the most common allergens. She can begin to reintroduce these foods slowly once the stools become blood-free. As I said before, it is the dairy products that are the most likely cause. Calcium supplements are available at any pharmacy. Green leafy vegetables are high in calcium also.

One theory about the blood in stools is that lactose malabsorption causes this. Dr. Jack Newman, a well-known Canadian pediatrician, who is extremely knowledgeable about breastfeeding has this to say, "The irritation caused by the lactose malabsorption causes the bleeding. Thus, slowing down gastric emptying often results in the lactose being better absorbed." Dr. Newman teaches a technique called "Breast Compression" to help a baby get more fat at a feeding. You can read about this as well as his other articles about breastfeeding at the following website. http://www.erols.com/cindyrn/drjack0.htm <

Answer 2

Are mom and baby having any breastfeeding troubles? Is there any way that mom's nipples have bled and the blood is passing thru baby's system? This can be the cause.

As far as if baby is sensitive, the best way to tell is practice the elimination diet. (you could) continue what she's eating for a day or two to see if it persists, and then faze out all possible offenders, see what happens, slowly bring them back in. Works the same way when baby is starting solids, later.

I know nothing about fissures so I can't answer that part but as far as the food sensitivity, you can also visit a naturopath - they can give you some good ideas, let you know some common symptoms for certain types of food sensitivities, and if you can afford it they can do blood tests to examine all the food sensitivities. It can get costly, though. It's different and more sensitive than the traditional allergy test.

Answer 3

Both of my little ones (4 months and 2) went throu that about 6 months ago. It was Cambolo- bactor ( I dont think I am spelling this right) But the Dr. thought it was E-coli or Salminella. These dont effect adults very much, but it Distroys the linning of the intestents in kids and babys. A simple blood cultur and stool cultur will diagnose NE bacteria problem. I hope your little one is OK very soon. My 2 yr old was the sickest and still 6 months later I have only left her maby 6times so I could go to work(I am a Fill in Florest) other than that I cant. I thought she was Dieing. It takes about 3 days to get a GOOD cultur back. If your little one is not runnig a Feaver than HE/She is prob. OK. Breastfed babys are always healther. I couldn't breast feed my last baby.I did my other 3. But we will be praying your baby is Ok!

Answer 4

I am a peditrician. It would be highly unlikely for rectal bleeding to be caused by a breastmilk allergy. If your child is hving problems passing his bowel movements it could definitely be a rectal fissure and your baby's doctor would have to diagnose that. Other less likely causes of newborn rectal bleeding could be swallowed maternal blood (if mom's breast has a crack or sore on it) or from a congenital intestinal problem. If your baby is feeding well and not running a fever this is not an emergency but should be checked out within the next 24-48 by your doctor.

Answer 5

Actually, it COULD mean allergies. The baby isn't allergic to the breastmilk itself, but to something in mom's diet. Dairy is the most common problem.

If a breastfed baby is sensitive to a particular food, then he may be fussy after feedings, cry inconsolably for long periods, or sleep little and wake suddenly with obvious discomfort. There may be a family history of allergies. Other signs of a food allergy may include: rash, hives, eczema, sore bottom, dry skin; wheezing or asthma; congestion or cold-like symptoms; red, itchy eyes; ear infections; irritability, fussiness, colic; intestinal upsets, vomiting, constipation and/or diarrhea, or green stools with mucus or blood.

Cow's milk sensitivity or allergy can cause colic-like symptoms, eczema, wheezing, vomiting, diarrhea (including bloody diarrhea), constipation, hives, and/or a stuffy, itchy nose.

You should talk to your caregiver and your wife should try a dairy elimination diet.

If you think that your baby may be sensitive to dairy products in your wife's diet, remember that it can take 10 days to 3 weeks to eliminate cow's milk protein from your system—allow a full 2-3 weeks of dairy elimination before evaluating the results.

See the links below for more information.

Answer 6

This happened to a friend of mine. If the blood is consistantly in the stool then it probably is an allergy. It's not one thing that your wife ate but probably her diet. My friend had to cut out a lot of things such as gluten, wheat. They consulted a nutrionalist so that she could keep breastfeeding. Her daughter is almost a year old and happy, pudgy and healthy. Oh! and she' still breast feeding.

I would make a Dr's appt ASAP. Good luck and congrats on you baby.

Answer 7

There is no concerned about nutrition and weight gain solely from a solid food perspective. Up until a year old formula and/or breast milk should be their main form of nutrition and food source. Solids are really just for "practice" up until then. I have known about a half dozen babies that skipped the eating from a spoon and went from formula and/or breast milk right to eating table foods. Its really not a big deal. Personally if i were in your situation, I'd just focus on making sure she is getting enough breast milk and/or formula and maybe once a week or once every couple of weeks introduce something to her. She may be like kids I have known and go straight to self feeding. Don't worry about your diet "not being the best" right now either. Only is cases of extreme malnourishment does it affect baby. Its just like in pregnancy; baby will get what it needs and you will be the one to "suffer" the deficiency. Good luck!!!!

Answer 8

Yeah, take the baby to the doctor. I dont think blood in the stool is from allergic reactions. But food allergies dont show up immediate. I didnt become allergic to MSG until I was 17. And now when I eat it my face swells.

Answer 9

I would get that baby to a dr immediately. Blood in stool usually means bleeding within the body, not allergies.

Answer 10

Was the stool hard? If it was hard then he could have ripped his skin while having the BM...

Also, it very well could be what your wife ate. And chocolate is top on the list....right up there with dairy products and gassy vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower... so if its the chocolate ice cream , it could be the dairy in it or the chocolate. If he has more I'd take him to his pediatrician to be checked out.