Help with Digestion Issues

Maybe you should consult a pediatric office? You can visit abraKIDabra Kids Clinic in Spring Hill, ###-###-#### or go to another office but you should seek professional advice.

Try a probiotic. You can either get the powder form to mix in water/juice or look in the dairy section. Since he is so young check with the doctors.

Hi,
A good way to make sure you are getting enough fluids is to drink a glass of water with every meal. Avoid caffeine drinks as they can cause heartburn.
You can take probiotics as supplements .
It will help.

I know this question is from years ago, but I think I just stumbled upon wise advice. It is a FREE replay of an interview with Donna Gates, who wrote "The Body Ecology Diet."
http://www.theawareshow.com/connect/gates/

My daughter just got over something similar. My doctor told me to switch her to soy formula and within a few days the diarrhea was gone. She had diarrhea for almost 3 weeks. She had no problem with regular formula up until this piont.

Hi there,

Being your son is 6 months old, is it possible that he's getting ready to cut teeth? My kids always got a runny/stuffy nose and had constant diarrhea whenever they were teething. This is how I always knew they were getting new teeth as this was the first thing that would happen. It would last for a couple of weeks until the teeth came through. It is just a thought.

To relieve some of the coughing, before he goes to bed, go in and run a HOT shower (to get the bathroom steamy). Just sit in the bathroom with him, this will help to allow him to go asleep at night.

I also believe there is a children's imodium out there. Not sure if it is for young children, but maybe something to investigate.

Are they sure it's a cold and not a food allergy? I would try switching him to lactose-free, and if there's no improvement, then to soy formula. Dairy is terrible for anyone of any age if they have diarrhea anyway. If a cold goes away then comes back after a few days, I would be spraying the house with lysol, spraying the couch, floors, beds, mattresses, etc. with Febreeze anti-bacterial, changing the air filter, using a humidifer, and finally taking a look at the foods being given. But seriously, if he has no siblings bringing home germs (though you are, since you work with kids), then I'm thinking possible food allergy rather than a cold. And suffering with chronic sinititus myself, I know that allergies, when untreated, do lead to sinus infections. My allergy symptoms run along the lines of chronic congestion rather than the typical running noses/itching eyes.
The digestion issues are probably due to antibiotics. Adults/kids should consume yogurt or other probiotics (there are pills as well) while taking antibiotics. I would google liquid probiotics for children and see what brands are out there, or ask his ped if he can have small amounts of Activia yogurt or Danactive.

A.,
My goodness, these children just worry us to death don't they, it is so sad to see a baby sick and not be able to help. I am not sure what to tell you, sounds like your doing everything right. Are you doing the humidifier at night(cool air) for the stuffy/runny nose? Johnson's also has the "vicks" for babies. It is not as strong as the adult stuff and it will most likely help the drainage and coughing part. I have a cold right now and its helping me. Also just wanted to say, I am a redhead and come from a long line of redheads and lets just say we tend to get alot more "stuff" than normal people. I don't know if you are blessed with the red hair and fair skin or not, but I can tell you we are definately more likely to get sick than "regular people", if you haven't already heard that from his Dr's. It is just something about the redhair and complexion. I have had very weird sicknesses throughout my life and alot of the explanations were because of my redhair and fair skin. So, keep him close and hang in there. He will be fine!!!! Sounds like your doing everything right!
S.

Hello A., Whole grain cheerios and banana every day is the way to go. I hope your little one will feel better soon. Beata.

I know this sounds crazy, but raw, unprocessed chocolate is the best for this. It's high in antioxidants. I could only find this online, so called the company. They gave me this gal to talk with. Diana ###-###-####

Lots of studies done on cacao and diarrhea. They are using it now in 3rd world countries to save lives of lots of children.

Children's Hospital and Research Center at Oakland did a study. Raw, unprocessed cacao is what they used in their studies. Minimum of 600-800 Flavanoids per day.

The Healthy Chocolate Company in Reno, NV has been given the trademark Healthy Chocolate by the US government in part because of its certified antioxidant/flavanoid content and their positive results in health.

I actually consume it daily for the UV benefits of a natural skin protector!

Try the BRAT diet: Bananas, Rice (cereal), Applesauce, Toast. He may not be able to eat toast yet, but the others should go down fine. Adding applesauce into the mix might help. These are the food combinations that help stop the runs.

For his cold, try a saline rinse to help loosen the congestion (and use the bulb syringe to remove anything loose). You might try a humidifier or let him stand in the bathroom or bath tub after a warm shower has been running awhile.

It's so not fun when our babies are sick. Good luck.

I am sorry for your dilemma. I am not sure what to do about the diarrhea that you are haven't tried but for his coughing at night try using a cool humidifier in his room and rub some childrens vicks on his feet and put socks on them. And put a little on his chest too. And at bath time get the bathroom really steamy before the bath and use a vapor bubble bath to help him breath. Good luck. This too shall pass!

Your poor son, and you too - I know how moms worry. I don't have many ideas, but is he on any medication that might be bothering his stomach?

Also, I would recommend giving him infant probiotics. There is a powder form that you can mix it into his formula - could he suddenly be allergic to his formula??? You can buy the probiotics at a health food store - they put the "good" bacteria back into your gut that help fight off the "bad bacteria."

Also, try giving him rooibos herbal tea. Just give the plain flavor at a warm temp. It is totally safe for babies & has anti-spasmodic qualities to it, which calm down the tummy cramps. You can read about it online, but I sell tea & I am a huge believer in it. They give it to children in Africa who have colic.

I hope these ideas work. PLeas post a response when he gets better.

Poor thing! I can't help with most of your issues but do know when my infant/toddler ahd bad congestion and couldn't sleep I had 2 remedies. Most extreem was to allow him to sleep on his tummy but in my arms. I would lie on the couch, propped up and sleep. This effectively elevated his head and made it easier to sleep. Least extreem was to put a pillow under his mattress so his head would be elevated.

Hope that helps him get some rest as he needs it!

Perhaps the digestive issue is a result of the sinus drainage??? At least that is what I have experienced with my two kids when they were small. I don't understand the withholding of antibiotics until the digestive issue stops unless they are afraid of the antibiotics causing more problems. What about the BRAT Diet? Bananas, rice, apples and toast. That is what they always told me to try. Good luck.

You can get 'Baby Flora' powdered infant probiotic at Natures Food Patch in Clearwater. Give much less than the directions say to start until he gets used to it or he could get intestinal upset/pain, especially with all the diarrhea. My chiro says to give it every other day, but I would give daily once the antibiotics start and his gut really gets messed up. Are they sure it is an infection and warrants antibiotics? It's kind of confusing as to whether they really think it is necessary, or is it just precation since they aren't starting it right away.

If considering a change in formula to one that isn't cows milk based, take a closer look at soy before buying it as it has become quite controversial as to whether it is healthy to feed infants so much soy and say is also a top allergen (along with cows milk) in young children/infants.

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20060317/studies-shor...

http://www.mothering.com/articles/growing_child/food/soy_...

As far as someone suggestion to changing to lactose-free, this most likely isnt necessary because most humans with sensitivities or allergies to cows milk have a problem with the protien in the cows milk, including casein and whey and derivitives.

Have you considered re-lactating and making yor own 'mommy-milk' for your baby? It is possible with certain lactation stimulating prescriptions and isn't far fetched, many moms will begin lactating even for an adopted baby. Even if you don't care to nurse, you could pump what your little one needs and know exactly what they are eating! You could also purchase mommy milk from a milk bank...still meant for human babies and more likely your little one won't have any sensitivities.....The lactation consultant at Morton Plant i Clw can have a phone consult or in-person appt with you for no charge. You have lots of options! Best wishes!