Pale Bowel Movements

Updated on March 28, 2008
J.P. asks from Baytown, TX
5 answers

My little boy just turned 1 three weeks ago. He recently got over the stomach flu. He has now been having pale colored bowel movements for about a week (started 2 days after flu). He was just put on whole milk too, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. I am not sure if I should be concerned and should call the doctor or am I just overracting. Last night he was very fussy at bedtime and seemed gassy or something, but he woke up fine this morning. I would appreciate any advice.

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone for your advice. I tend to worry and read online all these things that could have been wrong with my little guy. Later on that day his bowel movements began looking normal again and have been ever since!

More Answers

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M.G.

answers from Toledo on

Jennifer: Let me tell you something about whole milk, it aint good for anyone, have you ever read "The Milk Book?" It will blow your mind - anyway, I haven't taken my children off of it permanently, but they drink very little milk and we'd prefer they were on juice or water. Any kind of changes in the diet will affect the stool in some way. Being that I've studied nutrition for the last 10 years, most nutrition companies really boo hoo milk and milk products -- the intestinal tract is where you absorb your nutrients and it puts a mucous on that area, disabling your body from properly absorbing nutrients. I know of some great nutrients if you're interested! Have a terrific day!

M.

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H.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

My kids both recently got over stomach bugs and their bms were pale for a week or so - they are older so there's not a milk vs formula part of the equation. If they are staying the same consistency and frequency I wouldn't worry about it too much, but if they don't change back soon it wouldn't hurt to call and talk to a nurse at your pediatrician's office - they have a good sense about what you should worry about and what you shouldn't.

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M.S.

answers from Bloomington on

you might try taking him off whole milk, and see if that clears it up. goats milk is more similar to human milk, and is more easily digested. although i wouldn't try another new kind of milk until this clears up. just go back to what he drank before for a few days, and see how he reacts.

i would recommend asking your doctor about what to watch for, because it could be something more serious.

it can be a sign of gall bladder, liver, and/or bile duct disfunction. when there is no bile, the poo is a creamy almond color. when my daughter had that problem, i massaged her gall bladder (between the ribs and belly button, on the right side) in a downward motion for a few minutes when ever i changed her diaper, or while she was sleeping. it seemed to un-plug the bile duct and she's fine now. it's a simple thing you can try, before any painful tests or interventions...

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M.

answers from Lafayette on

I would just watch it and see if it goes away on it's own. If it doesn't then you might want to ask the doctor if he could have Celiac disease. Pale BMs and fussiness after eating were a couple of the side effects my daughter had before she was diagnosed.

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M.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi Jennifer,

I was recently told by my sister that when her son's bowel movement were pale, she was told by her Dr that he was drinking too much milk. How much milk is he drinking?

They told her to reduce the amount he drinks and that solved the problem...

Hope that helps some...

Oh he's about 13 months and I think they told her for him not to drink around 24 oz a day but don't quote me on that, I'd checm with my peditrician.

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