baby not able to process sugar in my milk

[TX Mama]

I am so beside myself right now and I hope someone has had some past with this and can help. I have been to hell and back to BF and have stuck through it all because it was so important to me and my baby. For the last 2 months or so he has been having mucusy stools. No pain, excess gas, crying, etc. He's very happy and developing well. Not gaining weight at first but he is now. I cut dairy and soy from my diet but that didn't change anything. The ped put him on pribiotics and that seems to help a bit. They also collected samples and she said it came back that he couldn't digest the sugar in my milok and that's what is causing it. She said I needed to put him on formula and I just lost it. I read the ingredients on the can she gave me and the first 2 are corn syrup solids and oil. I just can't believe that is better for him than what my body makes. I just feel so hopeless right now. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[LadyCatherine185]

That doesn't sound right at all. He may have a food allergy/intolerance, but very very few babies can't digest human milk, and if he had that issue (galactosemia I believe is what it is called) you would have had to put him on elemental formula within the first couple days of birth.

Does he have any other allergy signs? Rashes/eczema? Constant congestion? Unhappy/crying a lot? Gas? If he doesn't have any symptoms, I would not worry.

How long did you cut out dairy and soy? It can take 2-3 weeks for them to leave your system, so you would have to cut them out for at least that amount of time to see results. Also, it could be gluten/wheat he is reacting to, among many other things.

I suggest doing an elimination diet and go from there. I am not a doctor, but I think your ped is very wrong and giving you horrible advice.

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by LadyCatherine185

That doesn't sound right at all. He may have a food allergy/intolerance, but very very few babies can't digest human milk, and if he had that issue (galactosemia I believe is what it is called) you would have had to put him on elemental formula within the first couple days of birth.

Does he have any other allergy signs? Rashes/eczema? Constant congestion? Unhappy/crying a lot? Gas? If he doesn't have any symptoms, I would not worry.

How long did you cut out dairy and soy? It can take 2-3 weeks for them to leave your system, so you would have to cut them out for at least that amount of time to see results. Also, it could be gluten/wheat he is reacting to, among many other things.

I suggest doing an elimination diet and go from there. I am not a doctor, but I think your ped is very wrong and giving you horrible advice.

I agree with every word of this.

[haydn'smommy]

So, your baby is happy, thriving and growing well? What's the problem? Mucosy poop in the absence of any other symptom would not even be a blip on my radar. I'd just keep nursing if my baby is doing find otherwise.
But, since you've already been down the road of this, I'd first demand a copy of the test results to see exactly what type of test was done. Lactose intolerance is extremely rare in infants, and honestly if the baby is truly lactose intolerant I would probably use lactase enzyme and continue to nurse.

[womenswisdom]

I would get a second opinion from a ped known to be bf-ing friendly (ask your local LLL). Also, you need to know exactly what the labwork showed, not just the ped's interpretation of it. What specifically is she seeing on the labwork that makes her think your baby can't "digest the sugars"? What sugars? Lactose? Is she suggesting a cow's milk formula? 'Cause that's got plenty of lactose in it as well. Or is she seeing nothing at all on the labwork and so assuming it's got to be your breastmilk that's causing the mucous as opposed to an absorption issue?

I also agree the mucousy poop in the absence of any other issue would not be a deal-breaker for bf-ing for me.

[TX Mama]

I only got a voicemail and don't know what test she is referencing. We had a point that he wasn't gaining weight "normally". We stepped up the amount of nursing and he is now on the up path. She still thinks he is not where he should be. He's 4 months and was 11 lbs 10 oz. Still very low on the growth chart but he gained an oz a day last week. She is suggesting some "hypoallergenic" Enfamil. There are no other signs of an allergy. I stopped eliminating in my diet (except the dairy and soy, that stayed out) because they put him on probiotics and I wanted to keep everything the same. That's been about a week now. Sometimes it seems to help.

We are in a sticky spot going to another ped as there are very few that allow us to selectively vaccine.

I have been SO determined to stick with BFing so I guess this is just on more hurdle.

[LadyCatherine185]

Are you breastfeeding on demand/cue? I just ask because you said you increased how much he is nursing. I would definitely concentrate on nursing as much as possible. He doesn't need the formula. It sounds like he is healthy and thriving. I would however try eliminating dairy for 2 weeks to see if it helps with the mucousy poops and maybe with weight gain. If it doesn't make a difference, go back to eating what you want.

Poop in EBF infants can vary widely in color and texture, it doesn't mean that there is something wrong with your DS with no other symptoms present.

I am sure you are really frustrated. Hang in there Mama!

oh, www.kellymom.com has a TON of science-based breastfeeding info, you should definitely check it out!

[bama]

I am usually a lurker, but wanted to comment on this. My middle son has something called Disaccharide deficiency. He has a true inabilty to digest lactose, sucrose, maltose, and dextrose. Its a super rare genetic disorder, and the ONLY way to diagnose this is by a biopsy of the stomach lining, which he had at 21 months old. Parker was exclusively breastfed. He has NO issues with my milk, and in kids like him, they only show symptoms once sucrose is introduced. So basically, once I started weaning, he got sick. I would definitely look for a second opinion. I have links if you would like to read more, but I don't think I am allowed to post them here.

[thencamehenry]

I have no experience with something like this but I wanted to offer a suggestion about the ped. I get that you might have trouble completely switching docs, but could you see someone else for a second opinion on this particular issue? If you are not seeing this imaginary other ped for a well baby visit then I bet vaccines wouldn't even come up.

Even if you are stuck with this doctor it doesn't mean you have to do exactly what they say. They are offering professional advice, which you can combine with your mama instinct, second opinions, further research, etc. to choose the best course of action for your baby. It's not the word of God, ya know?

Good luck!

Hannah

[octobermom]

This might be of some intrest...
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Breastfee...baby-stool.htm

Deanna

[TX Mama]

Thanks for the link, info, and encouragement! I am feeling better about it all. I'm going forward with eliminating other foods from my diet. I have a suspicion it may be wheat. That is pretty heavy in my diet.

Oh and I do feed on cue but have made it a point to feed more often to help put on weight.

[boobs4milk]

this is from http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=...tion&Itemid=17 dr newman's site:

"Baby's bowel movements (stools, poops). For the first few days after birth, the baby passes meconium, a dark green, almost black, substance which has collected in his intestines during pregnancy. It is passed during the first few days, and by the third day, the bowel movements start becoming lighter, as the baby drinks more milk. Usually by the fourth day, the bowel movements have taken on the appearance of the normal breastmilk stool. The normal breastmilk stool is pasty to watery, mustard coloured, and usually has little odour. However, bowel movements may vary considerably from this description. They may be green or orange, may contain curds or mucus, or may resemble shaving cream in consistency (full of air bubbles). The variations in colour do not mean something is wrong. A baby who is getting only breastmilk, and is starting to have bowel movements that are becoming lighter by day 3 of life, is doing well."

[TX Mama]

Good news! I ignored the peds advise to start formula, eliminated wheat (including oats), and he gained WELL over an oz a day in the last week. So excited! His stools are better too! Thanks again for all of the encouragement!

[smeep]

I would HIGHLY recommend telling your pediatrician about this. She CLEARLY is not supportive or very well educated on breastfeeding. If she suspected a serious intolerance/allergy that may have warranted weaning she should have referred you to an IBCLC, not just told you to wean. That's ridiculous. And he CLEARLY doesn't have a sugar problem. As a PP said, galactosemia is detected with the heel prick test and you would have a SEVERE issue on your hands assuming your LO even survived this long. Your ped needs to educate herself big time and either become MUCH more educated on nursing or at least learn when to refer her patients out because that's absolutely ridiculous. You're a very smart mama for trusting your instincts and coming here for a second opinion! Most mamas think peds know everything and don't even think twice about taking their recommendations no matter how wrong they are sometimes.

[smeep]

I would also get the CORRECT growth charts based on breastfed babies (they're on kellymom.com) and bring those with you to the next appointment and compare them to what your pediatrician is using. Chances are she's using the old growth charts which are based on just about the worst possible population (they're shown to be overweight at 4+ months when compared to the bf charts). If she is using the old growth charts I would let her know about the new ones and then make sure she uses the new one in your LO's file, even if she doesn't bother to use it for anyone else.

[pumpkinhead]

How long does your baby nurse on each breast? Does he take both breasts during a feed?

I suspect the weight gain and mucuos issues could possibly be due to a hindmilk imbalance, especially if they're testing discovered undigested lactose in your baby's stool.

Fat from your milk collects in the ducts and doesn't get to the baby until the very end of the feed. Foremilk is rich in sugar, water and protein and if too much of it hits the gut without any fat to go with it, it's hard for them to digest it. I would suggest doing some breast compressions at the end of a feed to make sure he's getting lots of hind milk .

[TX Mama]

I'm not sure why she was so adamant about the formula. I guess it's easier than tracking down the culprit in my diet. She knows I'm vegetarian and am already really thin and was worried that my nutrition would suffer if I kept cutting things. I've been veg for over 20 yrs and am very cognizant about what I need to be healthy so that didn't concern me. She was not in yesterday so I did not have the chance to speak with her.

I do feed on both sides during feedings. I aim for at least 15 minutes on each side. I try not to go by the clock though and let him tell me. I def massage as he's eating to get the fat going sooner. The poops are looking better since I took out wheat and oatmeal. Hoping I can trial dairy soon. I miss cheese.

I am just so excited things are looking up and we're on the right track. All of the trials I have faced with BF have been worth it!

[texmati]

I just wanted to suggest checking FYT for a new ped. I know south Huston might be a drive away, but it might be worth it.

[JudiAU]

Do you take an iron supp? I find that it caused green/mucous stools sometimes. A lot of bf websites say that this is a dairy intolerance but I also found reference to iron. I stopped taking the iron and they went away. I reintroduced iron and they came back occasionally. LO wasn't bothered by them and it gave me piece of mind. I found ferrous gluconate easier to tolerate.

I think you need a new ped too. I don't think your ped has any real understanding of bf'ing.

[smeep]

Originally Posted by TX Mama

I'm not sure why she was so adamant about the formula. I guess it's easier than tracking down the culprit in my diet. She knows I'm vegetarian and am already really thin and was worried that my nutrition would suffer if I kept cutting things. I've been veg for over 20 yrs and am very cognizant about what I need to be healthy so that didn't concern me. She was not in yesterday so I did not have the chance to speak with her.

I do feed on both sides during feedings. I aim for at least 15 minutes on each side. I try not to go by the clock though and let him tell me. I def massage as he's eating to get the fat going sooner. The poops are looking better since I took out wheat and oatmeal. Hoping I can trial dairy soon. I miss cheese.

I am just so excited things are looking up and we're on the right track. All of the trials I have faced with BF have been worth it!

So, to her, it's better to put your LOs health at risk by giving him inferior nutrition than to at least keep an eye on you and see if you can handle the elimination of other things? Yeah...not a good call.

I would give it a couple weeks before putting the dairy back in. Just to see how things go with the wheat and oatmeal. And you may want to look into specifics of cutting gluten out of your diet so you can make sure you cut everything out if your LO doesn't respond completely to what you've done thus far.

Out of curiosity, how much did your DS weigh when he was born?