My 11 month old son started getting diarrhea on November 13 (about) and has had it for almost a month. I called the doctor and the nurse said that there was a stomach bug going around and that it would run it's course in 10-14 days. Right about Thanksgiving or just after, he decided he didn't want to eat the foods he normally loved. He used to eat as much as my 2 year old with oatmeal, pasta, vegetables and meat. Now, he will hardly eat a cracker or Cheerios, which he used to like a lot.

So, yesterday I brought him into the doctors and saw a PA. She said that she thinks that the first thing ran it's course and that he has something else wrong. She said to start giving him high fat foods and that will bind his stools. The only problem is that he won't eat much of anything. I've begun putting pro-biotics (live cultures usually in yogurt) into his formula, starting yesterday. The PA said this might help balance the bacteria in his stomach. So far, there is no change. She doesn't want me to give him fiberous foods, but this is all he will eat, if he eats anything at all. I'm really beginning to get worried. I hate to see him like this, since he seems more tired than he used to and won't eat like he used to. Plus, his poor bum gets really red if I don't make sure I use his diaper cream after every diaper change.

I know this is long, but I would really appreciate any advice anyone might have. I'm really worried about him and the doctors don't seem to be too much help.

Two thoughts I've had: 1. Is he allergic to a food I'm giving him or 2. Is he allergic to the formula, since I was breastfeeding more before the end of October, he's getting way more than he used to.

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I know he's young, but could it be IBS (Irritable bowl syndrome) or could he be lactose intolerant? I hope they can find out soon what it is. Many prayers for him, and your sanity :D

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what about rotovirus. did they test him for it? is this a ped clinic or family pract? sometimes that can matter depending on how much ped patients they get. has he started to lose weight? IF he isn't losing weight you can breayhe a little easier. I would still be concerned. I guess at his age I would call the local childrens hopsital. they usually have a medical line.

allgirls

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I think Id want a second oppinion. A month is such a long time. I feel his pain.

I would get a second opinion. I would also be afraid he'll get dehydrated. The not eating scares me also. I hope he feels better soon!

I was also going to mention Irratable bowl syndrome and also a second opinion! My mom has lactose intolerance and it could as well be that. I would definately start trying to find a second doctor and finding out what it could be. Or else call your pediatrician back again and let them know that it is not helping and you want them to look over him again. I really hope that they figure out what is going on!

I agree with the others. Demand to see the ped. or get a new one, if necessary. They should have checked him out immediately. I would also try a different formula - Good Starts is gentler on the tummy. I'm not a doctor, but I don't understand the "high fat" food thing - if I eat high fats, it makes me get the problem! It seems the fiber would help bind. If your insurance lets you go without a referral, perhaps you can get in with a gastroent. I'm surprised the PA is messing around - dehydration and nutrition are big areas of concern, especially at this age with the growing brain. I definitely wouldn't delay. I hope he'll drink Pedialyte to get his electrolytes back in balance. Bananas, too. I was sick recently and actually had one of the Pedialyte pops and felt much better after I had it. They go in the freezer, and it was just what I needed because I also couldn't keep anything down.

Not sure what you're using for the rash, but I really like A&D cream, not ointment, and Desitin has a very heavy-duty thick formula I use when I really need it. Yes, while this is going on, you probably have to put it on each time. Poor little guy! I never had much luck with the probiotics w/diarrhea - it's probably better as a preventative. Our ped does recommend the Yo Baby yogurts, which is surprising, because they seem so sweet, and there's that new Activa. I would definitely get him on the Pedialyte pops over the weekend, bananas and toast, and rice, if he'll eat it. Oatmeal and Rice Cereals are both good and you can put bananas in it for potassium, which would also help leg cramps if he's dehydrated. If your ped. has Saturday hours, I would get him back in. PAs can be good, but I have had the doctor contradict them.

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I agree with getting a second opinion. It can't hurt to hear another doc's opinion, and your poor child has been through enough in one month.

I would definitly get a second opinion. A month is a long time to have a baby go through that. I'd be afraid he'd get dehydrated. Hope he gets better soon..prayers going up for him.

My first thought is allergic reaction. You might try changing his formula to see if that helps or slowly start dropping things from his diet to see if there is any change?

Will he eat bananas? That and cheese is supposed to good for causing constipation - so maybe it will help.

amy

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