Blood in son's stool

by Liha
(Everett, WA, USA)

My son started having blood in his stool around 2 mos. of age (this happened with my daughter too). He is exclusively breastfed. I was advised to cut dairy and soy out of my diet and did for over a month with little to no change. I was also advised to try block feeding. Because there was no noticeable change, I am now eating "normally" again. Any other suggestions? Or, shall I just pray that he eventually grows out of it? His pediatrician says as long as it doesn't get worse, I don't have to change to formula (I REALLY don't want to).

answer from the lactation consultant

Blood in the stool is never normal. I am not a physician and cannot diagnose or treat. But I can recommend that you follow up with an allergist to have the child tested for food allergies. They can do this with a blood test for infants. It is VERY important to isolate what foods might be causing his bloody stools. OR it could be something more severe. This is NOT something I would recommend "waiting out", definitely worth investigating further.

Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC