My Newborn Has Had Diareha for a Month. What Could Be Causing It?

Updated on February 20, 2009
T.B. asks from Deerfield Beach, FL
14 answers

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?

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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.

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A.G.

answers from Mayaguez on

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

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
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J.S.

answers from Miami on

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
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L.H.

answers from Miami on

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

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Jacksonville on

What kind of medicine was it? When my daughter was 2 she had RSV and was put on Augmentin which caused diarhea for a month!!! I thought I was going to go crazy if I changed one more slushy diaper! Make sure you push for an answer with with your doctor - you don't want her to get dehydrated. Good Luck.

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J.D.

answers from Melbourne on

Your biggest fear at this point should be dehydration. Make sure she is drinking enough that she still pees. I would call a pediactric gastroenderologist if your pediatrician doesn't seem to know what it is. I know of a great one in WPB. Hope she gets better!

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P.P.

answers from Orlando on

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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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

Before you switch formulas you need to take the baby to the doctor. The doctor needs to decide how to proceed and what formula to change her to.

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K.G.

answers from Miami on

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.

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M.H.

answers from Jacksonville on

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.

A.C.

answers from Jacksonville on

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!

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T.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

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.

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P.B.

answers from Boca Raton on

The causes could be, the medications your child is coming off of, and the formula. It may also be a combination of the two. I strongly agree with Jed S --Breastfeeding would be the best solution to this, followed by a formula from Whole Foods. I absolutely would not trust even a different brand of conventional formula.

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J.S.

answers from Ocala on

All newborn poop is runny. My sons was runny until he was over a year. Could it be normal?

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