17 Month Old Will Not Sleep - Clarksville,TN

I have had a lot of luck with a doctor here in town (Louisville) who deals with the unusual. Her name is Peggy Fishman.: ###-###-####. She thinks of things and tests that traditionally trained docs overlook, and she looks a nutritional deficiencies. She has helped my kids and my sister's kids immeasurably. Also, I used a baby probiotic when my child was your age. Both my children still get one, they chew them now. My babies were colicky. Probiotics help aid in digestion and really help with gas discomfort. I get them at Rainbow Blossom or Whole foods. The assistants who work there will give you an education on nutrition and wellness.

Good luck,

Any more information? I'm a nurse, what you've described could be any number of things. They are probably checking for celiac's disease (ask, if they aren't ask them to). It's an autoimmune condition that causes the symptoms you mentioned, treated by diet modification. Hirschsprung's disease is possible, but it is usually identified at birth (it can go undiagnosed depending on the extent of it). DOes he have constipation for a long time and then goes? Any nausea or vomiting? Diarrhea? Is his stomach distended? Any loss of appetitie or failure to put on weight? Until a diagnosis, physical activity and water can help things a little bit in his tummy. Don't use Pepto-Bismal or anything like it. The anemia they are looking into is most likely Pernicious Anemia...all of the things I mentioned are treatable.

Does this happen after he eats certain foods? You could be dealing with food allergies or sensitivites. My best friends son had multiple food allergies. Some of his symptoms were typical allergy but some were different. The dr. said that it was all do to the food allergies. Good Luck and I will keep you and your family in our prayers.

I agree it sounds like it could be food allergies or reflux. Try cutting out the most common foods that cause allergies for two weeks (if you are breastfeeding you need to cut them out too). With my son things didnt get better until 12 days into the two weeks, so stick with it. You really have to learn to read labels to make sure no dairy because it is hidden in a lot of products, it has many names like casien. Here are the most common foods that cause allergies, known as the "Big 8": Dairy, Egg, Peanut, Tree Nut, Seafood, Shellfish, Soy & Wheat. After two weeks introduce them back slowly, one each 4 or 5 days. If you notice problems then cut that food out entirely. It a lot of work but if you have a happy rested child its all worth it.

There is also something called Gripe Water you could try. You can get at a drugstore. This helps calm little tummies and is pretty effective and totally natural.