Help? Diarrhea but not "sick" EBF 9 mo

[bonichka]

Hi there,

I'm at a loss here, and I'm really not sure if any of this is related.  Here's the background -

My 9 mo DD had surgery to remove a dermoid cyst 2 1/2 weeks ago, under general anesthesia. 

For the next week or so, she seemed to have in enhanced gag reflex, & would spit up frequently, especially if we were nursing lying down.  It did get better, but reflecting on it now, she is still gagging more than she did previously.

A week and 1/2 ago (so 1 week after surgery) she began having diarrhea - frequent watery stool, w/ lots of gas.  She has no other gi/diarrhea related symptoms.  She acts well & happy.

She is effectively still EBF.  She has no interest in solids, so in the week before the diarrhea presented, she had maybe less than a teaspoon of solid food (banana or veg) on any given day.  And nothing that was new.  Not sure if there's something in my diet that could be causing it.  Is that even possible?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!  She seems so fine, that I'm not inclined to worry, but I also keep hoping the next poop will be more solid.

TIA

Bonnie

[alegna]

My first thought is to wonder if she had antibiotics after the surgery?

-Angela

[bonichka]

I don't think so.  Could it take a week to show a side effect?

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by bonichka 

I don't think so.  Could it take a week to show a side effect?

She probably had antibiotics in surgery (they usually give a dose) if not after, and it can take a week for symptoms to show.

[bonichka]

ok, so what can i do?  Is 1 1/2 weeks of diarrhea a normal reaction?  And she otherwise seems fine. . .

[PatioGardener]

I gave my little guy infant probiotics when he had to have antibiotics and they worked really well. 

With mine, I think I'd be heading to see his doc with diarrhoea that lasted that long if the probiotics didn't help. 

Are there any other changes that may have caused it? (lots of dairy in your diet, etc?)

[Llyra]

I would consult with a health professional. Diarrhea is a common side effect after antibiotics, and mostly it goes away on its own or with probiotics, but sometimes, when the gut flora are disrupted by antibiotics, especially in a hospital environment, a harmful bacteria called c. difficile moves in, and it can be serious if it's not dealt with. The symptoms of c. diff infection are watery diarrhea and gas, which can appear anywhere in the weeks following the antibiotic.