Don't Want to Give up Breast Feeding

Have you considered switching to another pediatrician?

I'd change that before changing from breastmilk to formula. What a difference a good pediatrician can make. Best of luck. You're already doing a great job by questioning this decision.

Hi I have been breastfeeding my son since he was born (he is 6 months)and the BM's will be watery and the color of seedy mustard sometimes with a green tint to it as long as he is only breastfeeding can't help you with the formula though we've never done it. Good Luck

Her BM's should be yellow, watery and have "seeds" in them. Her stool should smell sweet like maple syrup. The only time her stool will be solid is when you use formula, or introduce solids, which shouldnt be until 6 months or later, so don't expect solid stool anytime soon! How is her weight gain? How long does she nurse? I ask because is it possible she is getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk? Many times when a baby gets too much foremilk their stool is greenish brown, mucousy and smells. If this is the case, it's an easy fix! Message me back with the answers to these questions. I commend you for continuing to nurse. Its the very best thing and no formula will ever match your milk. We just have to pinpoint why she's having trouble and VOILA! Problem solved. Kudos for not giving up...you are stronger than most women!

I need to know:
Her weights (since birth to current)
How often and how long she nurses
When formula was introduced
When and if her stool was yellow and seedy
When her stool stopped being yellow and seedy (if ever)
If she has eaten anything but breastmilk and formula
What you have eliminated from your diet and how long you did it for
Any medications her or you are taking
If you pump and bottlefeed

If I have this info, I can help a little more. Hang in there...you're doing just great and I'm so proud of you! You're doing the right thing!

~Tara Breastfeeding Counselor Buffalo NY

*EDITED to add: Someone mentioned oversupply or overactive letdown but didnt have a link about it. Well, here ya go!
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html
http://www.llli.org//FAQ/oversupply.html

Hi there
I breastfed both my daughters for 6 months and until they were taking good amounts of solid food, their BMs were very runny. That's normal for a breastfed baby, and they were both very healthy babies. My first child used to scream a lot and not settle well for the first three months, and I did wonder if breastfeeding was the problem and should I put her on formula. But I kept nursing, she grew well, and at three months suddenly she settled, was happy and slept through the night - no change to feeding required. It was just an age thing. It is very disheartening and I found it hard to believe I was doing the right thing when she cried so much, but breastfeeding is the right thing for you if you feel that's what you and she both want. Good luck!

Hi!
I've read the other advice and I have to agree with everybody else: If she is putting on weight I cannot imagine why they would want her on formula. BM will look watery and will be sweet - smelling. My son had the BM green and bad smelling when I had a cold. If she wants to nurse - let her. It is the best thing you can do. Good luck and keep up posted.

Hi R., I can't speak to your daughters dietary condition and I'm not a certified expert on breastfeeding. That said, I can tell you that I breastfed my daughter for 3 1/2 years and my son for 3. The stools will be mustard yellow in color and somewhat oatmeal-like in consistency; however that may be true if their only intake is breastmilk. Please, please check with a lactation specialist. You can ask your pediatrician to recommend one, ask the hospital where your daughter was born, or check out La Leche League (I am not affiliated with them). They will be enormously helpful! Bests to you and your daughter! D. H.

Hi R.,

Good for you for wanting to keep breastfeeding. It is absolutely true that the stools will be soft until she starts solid foods. Breastmilk is a natural laxative and is totally digestible so there is no solid matter to dispose of. Breastmilk stools usually smell better than formula stools because of their digestibility, but they are still poops. If it is really foul smelling there is probably something in your diet. Have you eliminated the "gassy" foods? peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. Also some babies are sensitive to dairy. That is very common culprit. If you elimiate diary from you diet please give it at least a week before you evaluate it in your baby's BM.

My oldest son was senstive to iron, that was hard to figure out, but once we did we had a beautiful 2 year nursing relationship. It's worth the trouble.

Please let me know if I can be of any more help. I am a certified doula and have helped many women birth and feed their babies naturally and I am happy to help.

Good Luck
J.

i say keep breast feeding. when she cries try to nurse her. as to her BM's my daughter (now 5 months, nursed or breast milk bottle only) they changed all the time, no matter what I ate, they can be runny some days and some days not. she had smelly BM's from day 1. Your daughter sounds totally normal to me... and even if you give you nursing she will still need you and your bond with her wont diminish if you don't want it to. cause your her mother. I would just say speak to your Dr, cause as long as your OK with changing a yucky diaper I cant see the Dr telling you not to nurse your baby... or even try a different doctor.

Hi R.,

I am a mother of two boys. My first son was severely disabled/seizures etc from 2 months of age. He was breastfed for 18 months despite Drs opinion. I probably would have continued to breastfed, but a lot of people (family) were putting pressure on me to wean etc. The only way i could get him to drink anything out of the bottle was to put a hole in the nipple so he could get something out. He got so used to it that he did not want to nurse anymore.

Despite his development he was very healthy and was within a normal weight range till I stopped breastfeeding! Once I stopped breastfeeding his weight dropped. He always had a lot of stomach issues and allergies run in the family. There is also a history of celiac in the family and it is assumed that he probably had celiac (gluten intolerance). So we kept him on a gluten free diet.

Once my second son was born almost 7 years later I had more knowledge from experience and confidence in my beliefs. My second son was born healthy, I breastfed right away and he breastfed for over 3 years. We had started to wean before he was 3 and then we all went through a rough period, when my older son died, which was a week after the younger ones 3rd birthday. So the breastfeeding was the least of my setbacks.
We also keep him on a gluten free, bc he has had signs of celiac disease, when he has had something with gluten.

As far as breastfeeding if it feels right and you can I would do it for as long as possible. With both boys I tried to delay solid food for at least 6 months of age, bc of the allergies in our family. They also say that if you breastfeed for at least 6 months you lower chances of having allergies. Also not only does breastfeeding lower your chances of breast cancer, but also for your daughter.

As far as the gluten, if she was born this past december, I would say it is too early to start wheatin general. From my experience if you want to give solids I would recommend brown rice cerea, that is easily accessible. It is much easier on the stomach then wheat. Amaranth and millet are other gluten free alternatives if you can make your own. Babies also love bananas and avocado.

As far as dairy, I have always tried to do things like almond milk and various other nut milk concoctions (almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds etc), that seemed to be the best for his system. My younger son does have dairy, but I also do soy and other things. Yogurt seems to be okay with both of them even though it is dairy. I do only buy organic milk and European cheese.

Sorry to ramble on. I myself have been on the gluten free diet for over 6 years, if anyone has questions about it or need a recommendation on a pediatric doctor I have met some really nice understanding doctors along the way.

Best of luck,
A.

BTW, I am sure other mothers will agree don't worry about the consistency of Delanie's BMs. As long as she is gaining weight she is fine. Breastmilk can also be very efficient.

I nursed all four of my babies about a year and a half so I have a pretty good idea of what is found in the diaper of a nursing baby. Stools were loose, sometimes grainy and mustard colored. Can you contact a La Leche Leaugue in your area for some help with these issues? I would have also hated to give up breast feeding. I am sure they can help you.

Please don't give it up. Go see a naturopath or D.O, some alternative therapist. I am a Lactation specialist and a La Leche League Leader and you need help!!!!! Please understand that formula is NEVER the superior infant food!!! Get help from breastfeeding experts now--don't wait another minute!!!

good Luck

I am a (almost 40) year old mother of 7, doula, lactation specialist, LLL leader and childbirth educator.

I agree 100% with Tara's suggestion and think she is well on the way to helping you with the breastfeeding issue! It is very good that you haven't just given up b/c her ped said she needs to be on a certain formula. It really could be as simple as Tara has said with the foremilk. My little one had this problem on occassion and most times I even had to allow her to nurse off one breast all day long (sometimes meant I looked lopsided) and then the other breast at nighttime. It didn't matter how I looked, just that she was getting all the proper nutrition provided in the foremilk and the hindmilk. Definitely nurse as often as Delanie chooses to and just try to make sure your breast is completely empty before offering the other one! If she wants to nurse, there really is no reason why she should have to be bottle fed formula, unless your lifestyle demands it.

For what it is worth, unless you know or suspect celiac disease or a gluten allergy runs in your family and you know Delanie may be at risk of having the condition, there shouldn't be any need for you to reduce your diet to a gluten-free one. If you suspect that a gluten allergy may be the issue, speak with a ped you trust and also your doctor as this can be tested and they normally require you to continue on a gluten diet during the testing process to get accurate results!

If Delanie is gaining weight then she is getting nutrition and it could be as simple as her not getting enough of the hindmilk :).

{{{HUGS}}} to you! Breastfeeding issues can be difficult and it is nice to hear that you are determined to stick it out and do what is best for you and baby Delanie!

Hi R.,

I just wanted to add that it seems everyone these days thinks their 3 month old is lactose intolerant or has reflux, etc. In a very real sense, their digestive systems are just incredibly immature and sensitive. I think you'll find a big difference just with time--4-5 months is a real turning point in so many ways. Certainly have your baby tested for whatever your ped thinks she should be tested for, but I wouldn't stop nursing. Eliminate whatever you need to, but breastmilk protects them from so much and has so many ingredients doctors don't even fully understand. As for the bowel movements, they can be pasty, watery, yellowish, orangy, etc etc--they will not be solid until solids are introduced. They will on occasion be watery. That sensitive system again. I would also find a good lactation consultant in your area and schedule an appt with her (insurance usually covers this)--they are very keyed into these kinds of issues and can help you determine what is common and what needs more investigation. Good luck!

I agree with Tara... could be a foremilk/hindmilk (often called oversupply) issue that can be easily fixed by adjusting the way you approach breastfeeding: for example, by "finishing the first side first", no arbitrary timing at the breast, going back to the same side if the baby is hungry again soon, etc. Tara has asked a lot of good questions and should be able to guide you!

Good luck!

You could also search the oversupply topic at www.lalecheleague.org. Seems to me I remember a great (quite long) informational article on the topic. Sorry I don't have the link!

Hi R.. You're breastfed baby's stool might look to you like diarrhea, but it is not. A breast-fed baby's stool will look quite soft and can vary in color from bright yellow to dark green. I might even look watery. It doesnt mean anything is wrong and it is not a reason to give her formula. Her stool will not be solid until she eats solid food regularly.
I think you are on the right track by keeping an eye on your diet and continuing to give her breastmilk. Have you tried to eliminate citrus fruits? One of my babies was even sensitive to chicken if I ate it too often.
Good luck!

If you don't want to give up breast feeding, then don't! You don't have to and don't feel pressured by your pediatrician. Your daughter is very young and her nervous system is not completely mature so she will experience some discomfort, yes and cry, but that's normal. If you resorted to nursing her because that was the only thing that would calm her then that's a clue that you should continue-she wants to, too. Remember, though, that she will feel your anxiety, so try to relax and nurse her in a comfortable and quiet place.
It's exhausting to nurse in the beginning because young infants cry often, so you need to nurse often. That's ok. Try to use that time to rest yourself as well. As they get older, nursing becomes much easier and they cry less (and every baby is different, some are colicky, some aren't). Just be patient-it'll work out. Oh, and their poops are watery when they are breastfed, that is true. I remember the poops smelling a little bit like butterscotch. When they start eating solids it will change. Anyway, that's great that you are breastfeeding-hang in there! I nursed my first for 18 months and am still nursing my toddler. It's the best-for them and us-don't give up! And I ate pretty much anything (except spicy foods). My second was colicky but that passed after a few months (I didn't really change my diet) I don't think that was the problem. I think if anything, breastmilk is probably the easiest digested food for the baby, no matter what your diet is. I would aim for a variety of mild foods. Good luck!
-M.

R. , you are a fantastic mom, and you do NOT have to stop nursing! your ped is like so many ill-informed peds that don't know anything about nursing; it's very hard to find ones that support it, but it can be done.

if i were you i would stop the formula right now; if the baby doesn't like it she shouldn't have it, she knows what's best, and breast is best. please google La Leche League Intl for your are and call the chapter leader right away; LLL is the most up to date, helpful, best informed resource on nursing and infant nutrition that there is.

BOTH my children had some really watery, nasty bms and BOTH my children were exclusively breast fed for many months. i have NEVER used formula. my kids started food early, about 5 months, and i am very much against the use of formula; theeres no medical reason in the world why this would help your baby. your instincts are right, please trust yourself and go with your heart.

talk to moms in your area and especially at LLL about finding a better pediatrician. if you are in my area, Queens NY or Nassau, i could give you my ped's number. more peds are getting better about learning about nursing so i'm sure you will find someone soon. really, contact LLL right away.

meanwhile, you are a first time mom who is bound to be nervous and have a lot of questions; babies simply sometimes have really gross poops, it could be totally normal and absolutely nothing. KEEP NURSING no matter what, because the most important thing is to keep your supply up and not let the baby dehydrate.

and of course the only thing that makes her happy is nursing! that's where she belongs. who would want a yukky plastic bottle stuck in thier face when they could have thier mommy's warm booby and her sweet face looking down? you know your baby belongs next to you on the breast, so stick with that and hang in there.

much love,
J.

You have gotten tons of great advice already. I just wanted to add a great link about infant poop! It is called the Color of the Day, and is very informative in regards to "normal" poops vs. poops that need to be investigated. :)

http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/pediatricks/poop.asp

Good luck!

Dear R.,
Good for you for not wanting to give up breastfeeding! I commend you on that! I have 3 children who as it turns out have food allergies which showed up while I was nursing them. I am extremely knowledgeable about the Gluten-free and Dairy-free diet because we use that in our family, and I have even written a cookbook on it to help empower other mothers. A breastfed babies stools are typically not solid in the least, and are often fairy wet. Watery stools are another matter. I think you are on the right track to experiment with your diet. My son was very reactive to dairy and gluten in my diet. I only wish I had known that sooner how much distress foods could cause in a nursing baby.

My son, it ended up, could tolerate NONE of the commercially made formulas. We did not know that early on, so I am glad that I kept up the nursing as long as I did. With my 3rd child, a daughter, she absolutely could not tolerate any commercially made formulas so I worked much harder to figure out what in my diet was giving her troubles.

It only takes being allergic to about SIX ingredients to rule out all of the commercially made formulas (milk, soy, casein, corn, sunflower, safflower would do it). All things, by the way that bothered my daughter. Please contact me directly if I can help you further. I have written a medical paper on this topic, and would love to help. ____@____.com is my e-mail address.
Love,
L.

Good for you for your dedication to breast-feeding. But please don't lose sight of the fact that you want to do what's best for your baby - not just what makes you happy. You have the rest of your life to bond.

Congrats on your little Girl and kudos to you for breast feeding! BM for a breast feed baby are typically soupy and mustard colored, often with small white milk curdles.
Sorry, I can't really help with any advice on a gluten free diet...
Best of Luck!

Hi, I was in the same situation about 6 years ago with my first child. I was also told that BMs would be more watery with breastfeeding and I believe that is true. I tried a dairy free diet and it appeared to help a little, but we have since found out that she has a slight milk allergy. Been tested over the past 5 years and sometimes comes back positive and sometimes not. My point is, baby may have a milk allergy or sensitivity and altering your diet may help to some degree. You may try pumping and mixing with the formula in the bottle to see if that works for her. It is very hard and frustrating, but it will pass. Hang in there.

I just want to say that you will not lose your bond with your baby nor will she not need you any more if you decide that you need to feed her formula through a bottle. I raised my 2 adorable, healthy and intelligent daughters on the bottle with - egad!- formula and they love me, need me, and they are my best buds. We are all happy, healthy and sane, do not trip out on guilt.

Don't worry. Nursing is a beautiful bond, but certainly not the only way to bond. You'll have a whole lifetime to do that. Right now everything seems to challenge you, but with a little more sleep and rest and trusting your OWN heart and instincts you will find the answers you need.

I am a celiac and on a gluten free diet. My children are not (ages 5 and 3) I nursed both children until 2 1/2. Their bms were loose and watery until they started on solid food. As for fowl smelling that is relative term. No one smells like roses, although, unless your daughter is on solid foods it has no reason to be very smelly. With that said formula does give it a nastier odor than breastfeed bms.
Are there any other problems??? crankiness, gas, not sleeping? If it's just the smell and watery bms, I don't see why you have to stop breastfeeding... unless there is something else wrong. Also, I am not a doctor - just a mom of two. With all that said you should not feel at all guilty about using formula too. It's all about what works best for YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! Don't let anyone pressure you into anything you don't want to do - unless it's a medical necessity.
I'm curious where the gluten-free thought came from.
There are so many allergies out there. If you aren't already. Try keeping a food diary of your diet as well as when and how often your daughter is eating and her behavior. Things are a lot clearer and more accurate if you write it down. You might be eating something that could be upsetting her system.

Wishing you all the best!

C.

I breastfed both of my cghildren for the first couple of months but the irpnoc thing with both of them I became sick and was put on antibiotics so I had to stop.......First of all let me say the bond will be strong no matter the lenght of time you breasfeed my children are so close to me sometimes I cant even go to the bathroom without them yelling " mommy where are you?" My daughter is 6 and my son will be 3 next month. if the formula has DHA in it that is a really good thing because that is a nutrient found in natural breastmilk.... do be so faint hearted things will turn out fine. The bond you created by starting breastfeeding will remain strong just hold her the same way when she feeds and burp her the same way do everything the same as you did when you were breastfeeding....as for the poopies it will be loose or soft not really formed until she starts taking in some solids like cereal and fruits.

hey R.,
find out where the nearest Le Leche League chapter is and give them a call. they can offer you the support you need to continue breastfeeding. Good luck!

BF babies often have very loose BM's...but i am not sure i would call them watery.

I am not a gluten-free momma, but i am a big believer in the power of proper nutrition to help heal what ails us. i see that you've tried diary-free. Have you also cut out caffeine, artificial colors, flavors etc?? Sometimes just eating more naturally can be a bigger benefit than eliminating things. Try eating fresh salads with a fresh protein source (like garbonzo beans) and an all natural dressing like a bit of olive oil...you know, that kind of stuff!

By all means, look into a gluten free diet as well, i found this link:

http://www.gicare.com/pated/edtgs06.htm
Although this list tells you what not to eat, ithas a few suggestions on what you can eat. And having the support of someone who already is gluten free would be super helpful, too! Try the local health food store (i don't want to plug a particular one since i am not paid to advertise for people!) and ask what some small changes are that will be easy for you to make.

Good for you wanting to continue your nursing relationship. My friend has a similar problem with her newborn and cut out milk, tomatoes and potatoes and her 5 month old is now doing just great...i don't think formula is the answer...it doesn't have any of the things that will help your little one overcome this reaction, and certainly isn't more nutritious than Breastmilk! I'd stay the course with nursing, or at least pump and dump...don't let yourself dry up. When i weaned my older baby for "health reasons" i recovered soon enough from my medical problem, and could have taken up nursing again...but it was too late to start again. Use both until you can figure out what is ailing her (perhaps she will simply grow out of it!)

Good luck!

Re gluten intolerance, try these highly recommended web sites:

celiac.com
glutenfreerestaurants.org

glutenfreedrugs.comlist.htm

The stools are a little looser with breastfeeding. At two months, they should be loose anyway. In case you did not know, breast milk comes out more watery at first, and then gets thicker as you continue to nurse. It could be that she is not nursing long enough on one side to feel full and satisfied.

Hi R.,

Kudos to you for being so committed to breastfeeding! Gluten free diets are not as difficult as some think. There are so many alternatives out there that may take some getting used to, but they are good. One of my favorite snacks is a brown rice cake with almond butter and brown rice syrup - yum! In the nature's marketplace section of Wegmans you can find a lot of wheat-free, gluten-free alternatives.

Also, remember that you will have a bond with your daughter whether you breast or bottle feed. The last thing you want is for feeding time to be stressful. If you continue to have difficulties, there is a holistic pediatrician in town named Dr. Margot Weinberg. She is very well versed in a gluten-free diet and she could probably be of great assistance to you.

Best of luck, you're doing great!

R.
Holistic Health Counselor, AADP

My heart feels for you! If she wants to breast feed and is taking the breast then go for it! I am not sure on the diets but I can share with you what their bowl movements should look like. The color is normally a yellowish but will depend on what you are eating. Also it will look seedy and be runney. The seedy part is almost like cottage cheese. Formula fed babies will have more formed bowl movements. I hope this helps, hang in there!!

Hi R.
Stick with it... I am also a first-time mom (my daughter was born in mid-January) and had zero experience with breastfeeding when she was born. However after about 6 weeks we are getting on with it just fine.
With regard to the stool, I can also say that they are watery and yellowish, and I was told by the pediatrician that they will have the seedy appearance if the baby is being breastfed with some formula supplementing (which I do from time to time). I was told that the formula at night (in my case, around 11 or so) is not a bad idea because its consistency can help the baby feel fuller and thus sleep better. She generally will wake up only once nightly (around 4am) to eat.
With regard to the diets, I am really not sure what a gluten-free diet is (and I dont know if I could live on a no-dairy diet) but I would personally say that as long as your baby is gaining weight and doing a fair amount of wet diapers per day (at least 6 or 7 urinations) then she is hydrated enough and getting enough nutrition on the breastmilk. I was really concerned the first week home as to how much the baby was eating (since with the breastmilk obviously you cant tell what she's getting) then I took her to the doctor for her first visit (about 10 days old) and she had gained a pound since she left the hospital.
With regard to the BMs, sour smells tend to be in the eye (or nose) of the beholder. Dont beat yourself up if you give her some formula now and then, and dont beat yourself up if you dont give her formula but give her breastmilk instead. If the pediatrician came right out and said "dont breastfeed anymore because its making her sick" that would be a different story - but it sounds like thats not the case. Let me know.
A.

R.,

The bowel movements of a breastfed baby are rather watery and loose (not solid like a formula fed baby). You can read more about that on the La Leche League or Kellymom websites. Maybe your doctor is afraid that the baby has the runs and will get dehydrated? I would definitely contact La Leche League and/or a lactation consultant for some strategies on continuing breastfeeding. Where do you live? There are LLL meetings at the LIC YMCA and the Queens Public Library (Broadway branch). Look at the LLL website and find the Queens link. I also know an excellent lactation consultant, and would be happy to provide her contact info offline. Just contact me!

E.

My 2nd daughter was placed on nutramigen due to medical complications. She has a feeding tube that we are currently being weaned off. She would not take a bottle with the nutramigen--the stuff smells as bad as it tastes. Bottom line, you are her mother and you do know her needs best. If you have the desire to breastfeed and she has the desire you should consider yourself fortunate. Take advantage. If she still seems collicy, consider altering your diet, eliminating things that may cause gas or other irritants. Dr.s say they support breastfeeding because it is healthy, but it also scares them because they cannot measure it. Trust your instincts, and good luck.

I had to remain dairy free the first few months of breastfeeding both my children (I am lactose intolerant, and it seems whatever I have trouble digesting means they have problems with)- and my husband is wheat sensitive so we don't have much gluten in our house. Homemade soups/stews, rice dishes, and meats and vegetables/fruits are great (nuts too) and I made a tea by mixing equal parts crushed fennel seed, anise seed, dill seed, and liquid ginger extract (find this with bottled tinctures of herbs in the natural section) with honey to taste that worked magic on my digestion and this had a magnificent effect on my baby's wellbeing. Quinoa is a great gluten free grain that South American peoples prized for its lactation enhancing properties. Try it with olive oil, fresh chopped parlsey, diced tomatoes, and cumin seed powder & salt.... mmmmm! Her bowel movements should be liquid as long as she is just breastfed, and that's perfectly fine. Other thing is infants with tummy trouble love to be carried about in a sling, it is very soothing to them.

I exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of my daughter's life and I can definitely tell you her stool WAS NOT SOLID until she had solids in her diet :)

Try eliminating nuts, soy and gluten...in addition to dairy, and then if her symptoms clear up, try adding one food group (like nuts) and see if she reacts. If she does, you know she has an allergy to that food, and you eliminate it...and then try adding a new food group. I know this is labor intensive, my best friend went through this with her daughter. They started introducing solids at 4.5 months, and didn't use formula at all. It does work though...I hope this helps some! Good luck!

Hi, so glad you want to continue BF'ing. We had a lot of issues with my DS - mainly reflux. But he's fine and thriving. :) If you are formula feeding right now you should pump to keep up your supply until you make the decision to stop.

Have you talked to a lactation consultant? The hospital you delivered at should be able to hook you up with one. The one I used was free to me since I delivered there and she was wonderful.

There are a lot of things that can pass through your breastmilk and irritate your LO. Dairy is usually the #1 culprit and can take 2 weeks of no dairy to show improvements in your baby. I don't have any info on a gluten free diet but if you google you can probably find loads of info...

As for the stools, my sons were never really seedy or thick. They were mustardy and kinda creamy. They really did look like Guldens mustard. Sorry I hope that didn't just gross anyone out but that's the best way to describe it. They won't thicken up until you start cereals and solids. It should not smell terrible. My guy's smelled a bit vinegary. Some people say BM poo smells sweet. But it shouldn't be terribly stinky.

Best of luck. Try not to get too stressed about it. Stick to bland foods and a simple diet. I avoided anything spicy or gassy for ages and didn't miss any of it. :)

Hey, my baby had very watery BM for the first 4-5 months. I have been doing the gluten free/dairy free diet every since. She is 7 1/2 months now. I am going to breast feed until she is 12 months and want to keep up with it because it is the best you can give your baby! :) Every month I try to re-introduce some form of gluten or dairy, but she still reacts with a diaper rash and runny stool. I won't lie, it's hard not to eat all those delicious foods filled with gluten and dairy. I truly believe that Dairy is the main cuplrit though and so does my pediatrician. You have to be very careful and read the every ingredient you can. I realized my iron supplement had dairy in it as well as some odd things like taco seasoning. You just need to read every label on anything and everything you ever put into your mouth. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have many more items to chose from that are dairy free/gluten free. I'd be careful with Soy too and just do the rice milk on your cereal or in things you cook. They say that 2% of babies with a milk allergy also have a soy allergy. Hope this helps:)

J.

Hi R.,
I'd encourage you to seek out a Lactation Consultant in your area. Go to www.ILCA.org and click "find a local LC".
Also, read the article: http://www.kellymom.com/newman/18MD_unsupportive.html
Good luck & follow your instincts!!
H.

H. K., BS, IBCLC, RLC

Princeton Lactation Consultants, LLC

Princeton, NJ 08542

office: ###-###-####

____@____.com

http://healthprofs.com/504190

office & home visits by appointment

i'm confused about why you would put her on a bottle? breastmilk goes thru your baby very quickly. she won't have a solid poop for many months. you need a better pediatrician and a call to la leche league to understand how small her belly is how quickly this gift of mothers milk goes thru her - hence her need to nurse often for food and the best comfort in the world. Its liquid gold just like the hospitals and any good pediatrician will tell you..

I had a friend whose baby boy went through the same thing and it turns out he WAS actually gluten intolerant. So when my friend changed her diet and went gluten free, it completely changed his tolerance of her breast milk and he turned around. In a way it was a blessing because he is still gluten intolerant, and if she hadn't figured it out during the nursing phase, he might have been plagued with lots of "undetermined" health issues when he started solids.
I would look online under gluten free diets and check out your options. Its definitely worth a shot.
And when I breastfed, my sons BMs were always messy. At one point, they got smelly and sort of greenish, and it turned out that I needed to lighten up on my iron intake. I think I just changed my post natal vitamins. But he's healthy as a horse now: )

hi R.
my baby is a december born too...the 17th. at first her stools were loose with the curds and the colour of curry/mustard. now creamy like the texture of mustard....ok just now it was pretty runny again.doc says as her digestive system develops the texture will change even if she is just breast fed but in reading the comments everyone is different.

I would not give up yet! I have three children, all very happy and healthy. My first born(a boy age 14) nursed for 10 months no problems. He gave up on his own. My second lasted 2 months, I tried everything! She is a healthy, smart beautiful 12 year old. My third a girl age 9, nursed for 12 months, I quit because I was too busy with the other two. All three of my children are bright & healthy. Try your best but do not stress over this! Your baby will be more effected by your stress, than lack of breast feeding. You will bond with her for many many years, enjoy this time it goes fast. P.S. They always need you!

R., do you have access to a lactation consultant? Those people are fantastic at answering questions and giving practical information. Try there for some ideas. And good luck.

Mary-Jo in upper state NY

I'm not sure why there was worry over a bit of smelly newborn poop. It does have a sour smell and it is watery, it won't get firmer until she starts eating solids 4-8 months...trust yourself, breast is best as long as your girl is comfortable, gaining weight and thriving. Sometimes your diet does effect them, you will find out through trial and error, that is the only way.
good luck and I hope you figure it out, but don't worry about sour and watery, that is how it is meant to be.
MCM

Something to remember, breastfed babies do NOT have firm stools. They are usually a little liquedy, and sometimes have little chunk looking things in it. Also it can range in color from yellow to green. If you have a La Leche League in your area I would look into it. La Leche League, or LLL is the foremost leader in Breastfeeding knowledge. They have been very helpful to me with my son. Good luck!!

There is a great lactation consultant in the New Brunswick area, Dr. Dermer -- one of the few lactation consultants who is an MD. She helped me a lot. Also, my son had very watery stools the entire time I was breastfeeding, but he kept gaining weight and the doctor said to just keep nursing, so that's what I did. He's still quite healthy at 2, but has more BMs (2-3 per day) than other children his age and most of them are still quite soft. The doctor says it's OK -- there's just variety in kids' systems.

Good for you that you are committed to breastfeeding even with the difficulties. I'm no expert but I'm a 43-year-old mom of two, 3 year old girl (who was nursed 18 months)and 3 month old son. I believe the poop should still be basically like yellow mustard in consistency and color for a while yet and it smells a bit sour, sure. Now as to the screaming, we have that with my son and I tried altering my diet to exclude dairy, then broccoli and other gassy foods etc, nothing seemed to work. What seems to work is definitely always burping every 5 minutes or so while nursing, letting him nurse in a more sitting up position and walking around with him on my shoulder afterward. We have a lot less screaming now. The other thing I do is, at night when I am dog-tired and nursing him bleary eyed at 3 am and can't really think straight let alone get up and walk with him, I try to burp him a bit but if it's not coming and he wants to sleep and so do I, I give him a tiny bit of Little Remedies, Little Tummies, gas relief. He goes back to sleep easily and with very little gas and usually no crying. I think you can find it at your pharmacy but I know they sell it at Diapers.com since that is where I bought it recently. I hope this was helpful, keep going, it's so worth it, my breastfed girl is hardly ever sick and I saved a fortune in formula cost.

Hi R.,

I am still nursing my toddler who to this day will 'react' to whatever I eat. While she was a baby, I couldn't eat corn, strawberries, wheat, eggs, soy milk, legumes, cream cheese, milk, citrus fruits and citrus fruit juices. These foods would cause one upset or another. When I cut them all out, my milk was fine and everyone was happy :-) I hope this helps in any way.

Check out one of my favorite books: "Eat Right for you Baby"

Best, A. M

I am on a gluten-free diet, and am nursing. Gluten is not always clearly labeled so you have to read carefully, call companies if you're not sure, etc. Eating out is ossible but you have to be careful. Definitely bf over formula - if she does have celiac disease (the genetic thing that causes gluten intolerance) then she'll need your breastmilk to help her intestines heal. www.celiac.com has a ton of good info, or you can contact me directly if you'd like :-)

My daughter is 13 months old and has been breastfeeding exclusively since birth. her poop was runny, mustard colored and sweet smelling until she started eating solids, which she doesn't do great with, more for entertainment than sustenance.
So far she is not self weaning, which I thought she would. the great part is convenience and closeness. the bummer is I'm it, sort of like running a small business - doesn't happen without me. that said, if you continue the breast feeding, DEFINITELY make sure she learns to also take your milk from a bottle, it will free you both up down the road.

Don't give it up. Who cares what the poopy looks like or smells like (as long as she's comfortable). Keep breastfeeding. Don't let others convince you to do otherwise.

I am the mother of three boys 18,16 and 3. I breastfed all of my boys and their bm's were all sour and watery and lime green. I think it may be o.k. Don't give it up until you are ready if your son is growing and gaining weight and is happy don't switch. Good Luck!

I admire your dedication! Kudos to you for deciding to persevere instead of taking the easy way out!

A dairy-free, gluten-free diet takes some getting used to but it's very doable. Trader Joe's now carries brown rice pasta, which is delicious and gluten-free. There are gluten-free baking mixes available and breads made from non-glutenous grains (most are in the freezer section).

A good cookbook to help you in the transition is The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook (no connection to the store) whcih also explains how to make your favorite recipes dairy- and gluten-free.

The main thing to watch out for is when you eat out, as wheat and dairy are everywhere! If your daughter is really sensitive, the cheese on your taco or the wheat in the soy sauce used in your chinese food might be a trigger, too. Just do your homework, know which places have good options, whcih products are always a good bet, and take some "safe" snacks with you when you go out, and you'll find it can actually be pretty smooth sailing.

I wish you all the best!

R.,

I really applaud you being willing to do whatever you need to so you can nurse, including changing your diet. I had a friend who had to do that as well for a while.

My third son is 6 months old and I breast feed. After his 4 month shots, his stools went from soft to watery and so bad that I was changing his clothes three times a day. Breast fed babies do have looser stools but I almost wonder if something else isn't going on. My pediatrician had us wait 2 or 3 weeks to see if it was just a reaction to the vaccines. When it didn't go away, they said it meant that this was either just the way his bowels were going to be for now or that his "levels" were off or there was a bacteria or parasite present. I am curious why your doctor hasn't suggested this as well "just to make sure".

You would have to check with yours because of your daughter's age. My son was almost 5 months old at the time but the doctor had me start him on 1/2 Culturel capsules in baby applesauce. You would have to pull the capsule apart and just mix half of it into a spoon or two of applesauce but again, you'd have to check with the doctor since we aren't supposed to introduce solids until 6 months. They said the problem should have been corrected in a week or two at the most if it was going to work which it didn't.

The doctor also had me collect stool samples to be sent off to make sure there wasn't anything bacteria or parasitic in the stools. You would have to scoop from her diaper and mix it in a few containers that have solutions in them and mark what the stool was like when you collected it. These came back negative for my son as well which left the third option - this was just the way his bowels were for now.

That lasted from December until a couple of weeks ago when I noticed they were starting to change. Now all of a sudden, he is producing actual formed bowel movements!

Talk to your doctor. At least if you can do the stool specimens it will let you know there isn't anything serious going on.

Please keep me posted!!

L.