Pedialyte vs. coconut water--NEED your thoughts, please

[americajane]

My 4.5 month is spitting up more today and has green stools. Peditrician wants me to give him pedialyte for the next 2 feeds. My understanding with breastfeeding is that the baby will get what he needs (as in son will get electrolytes that dr. is worried about). I have read about adults using coconut milk for electrolytes--has anyone given an exclusively BF baby coconut water??

[PatioGardener]

Is the spitting up and green stools new? Does the pediatrician think he has an infection? Is he worried about dehydration? Has the pedi seen your baby?

Personally I would not give my exclusively breastfed baby pedialyte or coconut milk! Then he would no longer be EBF. If it was an intestinal infection that was concerning, to avoid dehydration I would keep breastfeeding him. Breastmilk is better absorbed than water, pedialyte or any other liquid, so I feel it would be best for my baby. Plus it has all the immune supporting properties to fight off the illness.

Hope he feels better soon!

[CoBabyMaker]

Here's what Kellymom has to say : For adults, lost fluids and electrolytes can be replaced with virtually any beverage plus a source of sodium chloride (salted crackers, etc.), or you can use an oral rehydration formula. For children and babies who are no longer nursing, a commercial rehydration formula (like Pedialyte) is generally recommended. For nursing babies and children, breastmilk is best.

I would just keep nursing. As long as baby is nursing there is not a need to worry about it. Hope your little one is feeling better soon!

[annettemarie]

Moving to Life with a Babe.

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

Is the spitting up and green stools new? Does the pediatrician think he has an infection? Is he worried about dehydration? Has the pedi seen your baby?

Personally I would not give my exclusively breastfed baby pedialyte or coconut milk! Then he would no longer be EBF. If it was an intestinal infection that was concerning, to avoid dehydration I would keep breastfeeding him. Breastmilk is better absorbed than water, pedialyte or any other liquid, so I feel it would be best for my baby. Plus it has all the immune supporting properties to fight off the illness.

Hope he feels better soon!

TBH, if my ped. recommended either of those for a 4.5mo, I'd be finding a new ped.

[raqi]

I know this is not an answer to your question, but could you possibly have oversupply? My LO had similar issues and block feeding cleared them right up. Good luck!

[LadyCatherine185]

Originally Posted by Bokonon

TBH, if my ped. recommended either of those for a 4.5mo, I'd be finding a new ped.

and I would be figuring out why the green stools and spitting up. are you feeding any solids? could your babe have food allergies/intolerances? could you have foremilk/hindmilk imbalance? reflux?

Breastmilk is all your baby needs, especially if he is sick! your doctor is way wrong, and that recommendation sounds dangerous, to be honest.

[Juvysen]

Originally Posted by Bokonon

TBH, if my ped. recommended either of those for a 4.5mo, I'd be finding a new ped.

Originally Posted by raqi

I know this is not an answer to your question, but could you possibly have oversupply? My LO had similar issues and block feeding cleared them right up. Good luck!

and

I'd also be considering weeding out dairy from my own diet. Seems like a lot of food sensitivities show up around that age (but that could be just my perception, i know of several people who had it happen around that age) and an elimination diet could clear it up. Might be worth considering, though I don't know what else is going on with your baby. Exclusively breastfed babies don't get a lot of stomach bugs, afaik...

[americajane]

Thanks, Everyone. B/c of his food sensitivities, I'm already off all dairy, soy, gluten, corn, shellfish, plain eggs, peanuts and tree nuts. All that happened b/c of blood in his stool. He seems fine today, has had lots of wet diapers and the spitting up has slowed down so I think I'm going to drink the coconut water and forget the pedalyte! Still has the green stool so I think I'm going to try pumping off the foremilk again (did this a month ago and it cleared up) and only feeding him hindmilk for a few days. Pain in the neck but I want what is best for the little guy!

[mamadelbosque]

Do you do 'block' feeding? If not, I'd try that instead of pumping... its where you only feed from one side at each feeding, to ensure that they get enough hind milk instead of just drinking so much foremilk and only a bit of hind.... Both of my boys have done *way* better block feeding...

[BeckyBird]

I agree that breastmilk is best!

By the way, Pedialyte has artificial flavors and colors. I wouldn't feed my baby anything of the sort, and it sounds like you wouldn't either. I hope your little fellow is feeling better )

[Path2Felicity]

If you have an oversupply, I read about a method that might help you (it was too late for me... by the time I read the article, DD was 6.5 months and our oversupply issues were no longer an issue).

First, pump out both breasts till you feel almost completely empty. And then, put your baby immediately to one of your breasts and your DS and DD will only be getting hindmilk. Then, go for a couple of hours on that same breast, and then start block feeding from the other breast once it feels fuller. And then continue this way, adjusting for length of time on each breast. If you feel uncomfortably full again, start over and try adjusting the time for the block feedings.

Hope this helps!