Should I do an elimination diet? Advice and tips?

[StarCoveter]

Hi there everyone. 

My daughter is one week shy of 7 months and is having a lot of tummy problems. At 2 weeks old she started having trapped gas issues, and we would do tummy massage and push her legs up during diaper changes to help her toot and poop.  Lots of frothy green stools.  At 2 months old, I went mostly dairy free for a month and didn't really see too much of a change so I gave it up.  Somewhere around 3.5-4 months she was better for a week or so, but then back to the same.  So at 5 months I went dairy free again, and still am.  I am MUCH stricter with it than I was before.  For instance I had NO idea that dairy was in most breads, so for the first few weeks of this second bit I wasn't completely dairy free, but have been for at least the past month. 

But she is STILL having issues!  Lots and lots of gas and for the past two weeks has been having a lot of constipation.  Won't poo for a couple days instead of at least once a day and I can see her trying and working at it but to no avail.  It breaks my heart. :(  And now she's having trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep.

We started solids at 6 months, but none of the typical offending foods, unless it's corn I guess.  But she was having constipation before I introduced that.  Oh, and she's never been really colicky, never has spit up that much.  Only the gas and recent constipation.

I am thinking about trying an elimination diet, but am weary as I'm vegetarian and don't want to be on SUCH a limited diet.  However, I can't stand to see her in pain so I'm willing if that's my last resort.  Any advice?  Should I do an elimination diet? 

Thanks in advance,

Kristina

[turtlemamameg]

Sounds like maybe you should.  I would think after 2 weeks without dairy that you would see a big change if that were the culprit.  If you are worried about eliminating all at once, just pick a couple suspicious foods at a time, like wheat and soy (if you are a vegetarian, do you consume a lot of meat replacement foods containing soy?).  Skip them for a couple weeks and see if there is a change.  Then try others like corn, citrus, and eggs.  But I don't think you have to do them all at once.  That would be very limmiting.  Our Dr had us start with the top 4, wheat soy, dairy, and eggs.  It was hard doing that many at once.  It will take longer doing fewer at a time, but easier on yourself already having a sort of limited diet.  Good luck, I hope you figure it out soon.  It must be hard to see your little pea in pain :(