8 Month Old Mucousy Stool

Hi T.,

I agree that you need to continue on with the specialist.

But, being in the natural health field, these would be what I would try at home.

a. I don't know if you're breastfeeding or if he's on formula, but it sounds like he may have an allergy (consider milk, formula, wheat) - creates the extra phlegm, gassiness, hard stools. So you might try changing either what he's being fed or you own diet if you're breastfeeding and see it that makes a difference.

b. The medical community doesn't seem to consider this, but sometimes a yeasty issue causes this - you mentioned 'white' stuff. If it were me, I'd try adding a probiotic to his diet (if I were breastfeeding, I would add it to my diet, perhaps my body is imbalanced in the intestinal flora). A capsule can be opened and added to food that isn't hot. It won't hurt him.

There are also some simple massage techniques you can use on his little tummy to help relax him and perhaps encourage digestion.

You're right to be concerned - you want his colon to be working properly and not set him up for major colon issues as he gets older. If you'd like more info, just contact me and I'll get more info to you.

Blessings,

B. C., CR, CCI, BCRS,
Natural Health Coach
Essential Oil & NSP Herb Specialist
Certified Newborn Massage Instructor
Certified CARE Instructor

Hi T.,

I would definitely go see a Pediatric GI doctor. From personal experience (granted I am 28 years old) I am very glad I went to the GI doctor. When my son was less than 3 months old, I was the one sick. I was in the bathroom constantly and was having the same problems as your son. I agree with what one Mama said check for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). I have it and it is very painful and can have episodes like these that your son is having.
When I went to the GI doctor, I ended up having a colonoscopy and everything was fine. I am now on a high fiber diet and take probiotics to help. I have been fine ever since. The only time I get real bad episodes is when I forget to take the fiber.
For your son, if it is an easy fix like mine, you are better off knowing and he will be much more comfortable. If he were my son, I would take him to a specialist to see if they could give me more information.

Good luck and I hope your son feels better soon!
S.

Definitely get a second opinion, and know that this is not normal or ok. Something else I would ask is whether or not he has any type of cough or allergy symptoms. It *could* be Cystic Fibrosis, which is a disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. A big indicator is the mucousy or greasy stools, and any persistent or chronic cough/cold/etc.
I have CF, and when I use the restroom after forgetting to take the digestive enzymes necessary to help digest my food, I strain and hurt, even though it is almost diahrrea-like, and I'm not at all constipated.
Not to scare you, just bringing up what rings a bell for me :)
A.

I would seek the advice of another doctor first. Mucous in the stools can mean many things...esp if your child has been ill or has been eating a lot of foods w/refined sugar. My son has had similar issues and we have him take a 1/4 tsp of (lemon flavored) fish oil in the morning and now there is no more straining to have a bowel movement...no laxatives needed. It has also made his hair and skin look so much better.

Best of luck to you!

Hi there. I am an acupuncturist specializing in the holistic treatment of children. Unfortunately, western doctors have very little treatment of digestive issues like this. What your doctor essentially did is rule out the very serious syndromes, which is great. However, what is needed at this point is real treatment and relief of your baby's symptoms. Holistic medicine has the means to do this.

So, with that said it is quite possible that your baby has a food sensitivity or/and intestinal imbalance/blockage (like you said) causing the inflammation. Using the holistic approach, we would use supplements to help reduce inflammation, we temporarily eliminate certain foods, and use herbs and stimulation of acupuncture points (with or without needles) to help you baby heal from the inside out. In addition, holistic treatment helps your baby's body to keep these type of symptoms from coming back. In my experience it works very well.

If you have any questions please let me know, I am always happy to answer anything that I can. I hope this helps.

J. Stevens, L.Ac.
www.yourwholefamilywellness.com
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Dear T.,
I agree with others that you should seek a second opinion and I would encourage you not to rule out holistic/homeopathic medicine.
I have quite a few food allergies (wheat, mild dairy allergy, some vegetables) and was diagnosed relatively late in life. When my symptoms were at their worst, I had stools like you describe. Your little guy must be really uncomfortable.
I know it can be hard to know where to start-- especially when you're totally busy raising this baby already, but it's relatively easy to eliminate a few highly allergenic foods while you're waiting to see the specialist or the second doctor.
If you do decide to eliminate foods from his diet, it will be very helpful to the doctor, whether western or otherwise, if you chart what your son is eating and his corresponding symptoms.
Good luck and I hope he feels better soon so you can enjoy each other.
best,
A.

Don't let doctors confuse your "mommy radar" that tells you something is not right. If one doctor tells you things are fine, get a second opinion in the form of a pediatric specialist. I had to do that with my daughter. I wound up having to take her to Children's Hospital Oakland to get the correct diagnosis.

Take him to Children's Hospital in Oakland. I think you need a second opinion.

T.,
I agree with the other mom's that responded. See a pediatric gastroenterologist I was having problems with my son having Constipation problems and I kept taking him to the dr. and she said he needed more water and fiber. Did that still had the problem, I changed back to his 1st dr. when he was born which in turn said best for me to bring him to a GI dr.
She did wonders for him. He is back on track and she did blood work which found out he was Anemic and needed iron immediately, he was that low on iron, which made sense after she said that, he was always sluggish and grumpy. Once we got his iron level's back up (Still taking iron, HOpefully the next few weeks he will be done and back to normal level's) but I have been so glad I decided to take him there. She has helped him so much and he was having issues for 6 months, All the old dr. said was he needs to eat High fiber diet. I was unhappy with her and finally went back to the original dr. and THANK GOD I did.
I say "If you don't like the dr's answer's and need a referral on a GI dr. do it.
It will ease your mind and help your child to know.

Good luck

Hi T.~
Does your baby drink enough water? If he is still on formula, sometimes the vitamins or iron in the formula may be causing this. I'd make sure he was drinking enough water. It will keep him hydrated as well. Also, I'd ask for a referral to a specialist. If they tell you that your baby will grow out of it (won't give a referral) ~ just ask where you need to go to pick up all of his medical records because you'll not be coming back. That will get them to move fast! Good luck and bless you and your family.

Wow! I would look for a different opinion... And if insurance won't cover a second opinion, try the ER. I know it's a long wait in there, but for the sake of your child, you need to find another opinion of what going on. If you still don't like the idea of the ER, try a Pediatric Gastroenterologist. <sp?> If your baby has a blockaga, that dr. should be able to tell. Hope this helps.

It sounds like it could be irritable bowel syndrome. Ask your dr about that. IBS can cause both constipation and loose stools usually with mucous.

Hi T.~ I'm with Laura. It's worth the piece of mind to go to a specialist. Get in to see a gastro doc just to make sure they are running every possible test.

And you can probably already do this from memory, but make sure you have a list of any foods and how much he eats.

Good luck! I hope you find an answer.

Try a different doctor.
J.

Hi T.. I agree that something definitely sounds off. Maybe you should demand a referral to a GI doc. There are other tests that can be ran and I think it's time that they were.

Switch doctors. at least get a 2nd opinion. Doctors are NOT GOD! They are not infallible. WE are paying them and if they are not doing their job, SWITCH.

And yes, I'm grumpy because I have to find another doctor out here. Any good family doctors on the west side of the valley along I-10?

You could be on to something with the blockage theory. Please see another doctor and get a second opinion, or even a third. It is obvious that this is not normal and needs more investigation. The fact that he is straining and the stool is not hard is a sign of something that is not right. Whatever you do, keep seeking until the answer makes sense.

T.,
I would recommend you go see a pediatric gastroenterologist who specializes in the GI tract and the intestines. It sounds like they might want to scope his little tract and see what is going on up there. It is painless/memoryless although they would have to sedate him to scope him.

Just a thought, Trish

Hi T.,

I would also seek out a pediatric gastroenterologist. Your gut instinct of an intestinal blockage sounds right on to me. My son went through 2 months of on and off vomitting without other symptoms, tests galore as well, and we ultimately learned that he had a blockage. I would request an abdominal ultrasound. That is one place to start. The other option is a barium enema -- more invasive and terrible for baby and mom but will be the best diagnostic tool if there is a blockage. A classic sign of one type of blockage (intassusception) is bloody "jelly-like" stools. My son didn't have this but he did have this diagnosis. If you want to chat more you can email me directly. Hope this helps and best of luck.

T.,
You may want to take him to an allergist and see if he has antibodies for gluten sensitivity. Does he eat wheat products?
D.

I went through this exact same thing with my son. Our dr. thought it possibly was due to milk allergy. He recommended seeing a pediatric gastroenterologist who also agreed. Since I was still nursing, I cut ALL dairy out of my diet and if I had to supplement with formula, I only used Nutramigen. My son's symptoms didn't go away immediately, so we also cut out other known allergins like nuts and wheat. After about 4 months, everything cleared up, and my son and I went back to a normal diet. Be patient and good luck!!

T.,

Get a second opinion. Go with your gut. I would see a GI specialist or another pediatrician to get this figured out. It sounds horrible for your little baby and I wouldn't wait to get seen. Good luck and I hope that your baby is ok!

Molly

You might try giving baby yogert to build a healthier digestive system. It has acidolphous culture that helps digest food. Also raisins help soften the stool. A balanced diet with not too many starches or sugars. Watch how different foods affect his stools and remove them if they seem to affect him adversely. You might get the opinion of a different doctor.