Blood in breastfed baby's diaper: I have eliminated ALL dairy from my diet and still getting occasional blood

Question

My breastfed baby was having blood in his stool every week and a half or so. Per his doctor's orders, I stopped eating dairy. All dairy - casien and lactose included. After about a month of okay diapers, he had blood in his diaper again. The doctor is talking about putting him on an "elemental diet" and I'm not ready to give up breastfeeding! Is there another food item (or items) that commonly causes bleeding in babies?

I'm not an idiot. I AM following my pediatrician's advice. He has told me to monitor the bleeding. If it gets more frequent or more severe, we will have to take the next step. I am posting here simply to see if there is anything I can do in the meantime. I'm keeping a food diary in the hopes that we can narrow down what is causing this. The doctor's exact wording was, "he is still reacting to something in your diet." Sheesh.

Thanks to those of you who have posted links with additional info. I will ask my doctor if he can do a test to determine if that really is the problem, although I was under the impression that they were only accurate in certain circumstances.

I am home with him nearly all the time. His grandparents watch him sometimes for a few hours. I have asked them and they say they haven't given him anything. He only gets breastmilk to eat, although when he takes a bath he does dip his hands in the water and then suck on his hands.

Answer 1

He's probably not the one who needs the elimination diet.....you are.

First off, are you certain you've not had any hidden sources of dairy? It takes 2-3 weeks for it to get out of both of your systems.

Any chance you have an oversupply of milk? (See the Kellymom link below.)

Is baby on any vitamins or flouride drops?

Soy is another common culpret. If eliminating dairy didn't do the trick, you might look for soy in your diet.

I suggest that you involve a Lactation Consultant in your care and see if she has any other ideas to share with you and the doc.

Answer 2

Normally I would think this is a little extreme BUT this is the most extreme elimination diet for breastfeeding moms there is:

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t041200.asp

Also read this:
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/bloodystool.html

However I have to other questions:

1) Do you give your baby anything in addition to breastmilk, including water?

2) Have you seen a pediatric allergist? Blood allergy testing can be done at a very young age, and while the earlier the less accurate it may be worth it.

3) Have you been assessed by a lactation consultant? Sometimes an oversupply can cause blood

4) Has your baby been screened more than once for bacteria and viruses?

5) Have you kept a food diary?

Stick with your gut! It tells you breast is best, and it is. FWIW blood in the stool is a relatively common complication of diarhea in small babies



Edited to add:

Some of the others are right, a second opinion might be good. Quite frankly just saying it is something in your diet isn't really taking it seriously. It is actually a lot more rare than some doctors would have you believe that a baby reacts to something in your milk.

Though you should keep a record of what you eat, maybe it is something you only eat very rarely.

Good luck

Answer 3

Blood In Baby Diaper

Answer 4

Don't give in to advice to stop breastfeeding. Breastmilk is the ideal, perfect food for babies.
And I see that noone (not even your doc?) has mentioned the possibility of a fissure in your baby's anus when having a bowel movement?
It is not uncommon and not dangerous. They have such a tiny opening that sometimes there is a tiny tear and a little blood.
I experienced this periodically with my infant daughter.
If your baby seems otherwise unaffected by gas, runny nose, or other allergic symptoms, then maybe this is the culprit?

Answer 5

Something else that could cause allergy is eggs. there are eggs in the bread and virtually anything. If you want try eliminating that, but eggs just like dairy take about two weeks to leave the body. You can ask your doctor to do a lactose intolerance test from the poop and tell you for sure if it is dairy. Also check to see if it is not your blood that your baby is pooping out. If your nipples are sore and cracked he might just be swallowing blood from there.

Answer 6

This could be about more than your diet--it could be about something in your baby's internal organs--check it out ASAP--Not to scare you--but you should get a second opinion--

other than that--if it is diet related--do you eat spicy foods?...

And who is watching your baby? Are you the primary caretaker?...Someone else may be feeding him something without your realizing it--become really watchful around him for awhile--if you are breastfeeding still--that should be giving him extra immunity--Are you eating any unusual foods?...I wouldn't give up breastfeeding--that is probably the least likely to be the problem! maybe he is allergic to something you are using--the diaper wipes--the powder, some baby soap, etc...or some clothing--or laundry detergent--check out all of these things--

Good Luck:)

Answer 7

Try another doctors opinion. Blood in the stool can be constipation, but it can be caused by other things like, a food allergy, or serious problems with your childs digestive track. Seek a second opinion!

Answer 8

I've never heard of that.It sounds like something is really irritating him inside though. When I was a baby I had to drink goats mik becuase everything else irritated my stomach. Maybe you could try the goats milk with permission from the doctor. Good luck

Answer 9

Take her to another doctor, and fast. It may be allergy, or it may be something else, and it may be really serious! And keep breastfeeding, just watch what you eat, switch to something bland, potatoes only, for example, for a while and see if it makes a difference. Your milk will heal her faster than any medication, but do take her for a second opinion!

Answer 10

You should prolly ask a doctor, rather than random, unqualified (most likely) people on the internet. You don't want to accidently mess something up...