Stool Question For My Son?

[teacherwheart]

My son is 2 and has been gluten free since the end of August. He's doing great thank God. No symptoms and more whatsoever and he had them all and I mean all. I notice however at least 2 or 3 times a week his stool is very soft in consistency and has many undigested food in it. Sorry so much info but for example just now he had a lot of peppers and onions from last nights meal in it. Is this normal? Most times it is harder formed without the food but there are many times where its not. Im wondering if by chance there is something else he is allergic to. I know he cant be glutened b/c the color is fine and he is home almost all the time and we are practically a gluten free home and Im so careful about what he eats. Does any one have any experience with this? Thank you so much.

[Mother of Jibril]

My son is a little younger (ten months), but his situation is the same. Doing great on a gluten-free, casein-free, corn-free diet... but his diapers often have undigested food.

At first we thought it was due to his lack of teeth (his first one is just starting to poke through). But... even if I run everything through a food mill, some things (like carrots) still show up. It looks like confetti

So... my current thought is that his body doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes. I know that I don't, but I'm an adult. How do you supplement a (breastfed) baby? I'm not sure. He gets eczema on his face if he gets even a small trace of the forbidden foods, so as long as his face stays clear I know he's doing well.

[bear6954]

I have a 5 year old daugher who is does not have celiac and I use to see chunks of food in her diaper before she chewed her food real good. My 2 1/2 yr old son has the same thing happen sometimes. Its normally hard food like pickles and I know he does not chew it that well. He does not have his two yr molars yet.

[AliB]

Can you try getting your little one on to some probiotics? Even good plain live yogurt mixed with fruit and a little honey will help (not the commercially flavored ones - they are worse than useless - very counter-productive as they are full of sugar).

Anyone who is not digesting their food is suffering with gut dysbiosis. As a lot of the final proper digestive process is carried out by the good gut bacteria that would suggest that he has a shortage in that department.

There is more bacteria in our gut than cells in our body and if the 'soldiers' - the controllers and protectors of the gut and supporters of the digestion and immune system are depleted (many factors can destroy the good guys), then other normally benign bacteria can grab the opportunity to take their place and become pathogenic.

Candida Albicans is a case in point. Although the Medical Profession dismisses it as of little importance or credence, it is estimated that at least 70% of the Western population is contending with systemic Candida overgrowth at any one time. Although a normal part of gut flora when under control, it is very opportunistic if given the right environment. Signs of yeast overgrowth are things like dandruff, athlete's foot, gas and bloating, bad breath, thrush, the charmingly named 'jock-itch', etc.

Some types of bacteria are good at 'switching off' vital enzymes and processes - Candida that has been able to get a hold in the stomach can lower the strength of the stomach acid allowing other pathogens like H.Pylori to get a foothold. Candida feeds on undigested carbs so anything it can do to protect its food source, it will do.

Lower acid levels prevents the sphincter at the top of the stomach from closing properly and can contribute to acid reflux and can also lead to digestive enzymes and bicarbonates not being triggered properly in the jejeunum and duodenum to digest carbohydrates efficiently. This gives the pathogens an unlimited source of carbohydrate as it works its way through the gut.

I would (and constantly do!) recommend for people to try the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It is not a weight loss diet (although once the gut is working properly people tend to naturally lose weight, or even gain it if needed). It is healing diet. It helps the body to properly heal and restore. It removes the troublesome carbs for a while and encourages the replenishment of the good gut flora. It boosts the immune system and gives the body the tools it needs for recovery from damage.

I constantly see on here posts from ones who have developed intolerances to other foods. Take one food source away from the pathogens and they will adapt to another. During their digestive process they throw out different toxins that can affect us anywhere in the body. We have to change their environment and throw them out of their 'comfort zone' so that we can claw back the control.

If you want to know more about the SCD there is a thread on the 'Other Food Intolerances' section, and 'breaking the vicious cycle' and 'Pecanbread' are very good resources.

[Mother of Jibril]

AliB... you know I agree with you about the SCD. I'm starting it next month (my kids too!). BUT. I'm not sure candida is the only reason people react to certain foods. My son was 100% breastfed, natural birth (no drugs), no antibiotics, I took probiotics while I was pregnant... and yet by the time he was six weeks old he had colic, was projectile vomiting, and was bleeding from his intestines due to a severe casein intolerance. If candida was the reason why... how did it grow so quickly? Babies have a sterile gut at birth. I suppose it's possible that he was getting candida from me. I don't know... he had cradle cap, but he didn't have thrush or any other signs of candida overgrowth from what I can tell.

I know kids can be born lacking certain enzymes... PKU, for example. I think science has a LONG way to go, learning how these disorders affect people and how to screen for them.

So... anyone have more thoughts about how to give kids supplemental enzymes (lipase, pepsin, amylase, etc...)? Probiotics are not the same thing.

[teacherwheart]

Wow lots of information, i will defintely look into the SSD diet and will take him back to his GI doctor to discuss it. Thanks for the info.

[Mother of Jibril]

I know it's a lot of information...

A couple of good places to start... www.pecanbread.com and the book, "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" (you'll probably want to buy a copy if you're going to try the diet).

[happygirl]

If he was blood/biopsy diagnosed with Celiac, it may be worth it to do follow up blood testing to ensure his Celiac panel is nearing 'normal' range or is in normal range. Also, look into the recommended follow up testing for Celiac (vitamin, mineral deficiencies, etc.)

[bear6954]

My son is a little younger (ten months), but his situation is the same. Doing great on a gluten-free, casein-free, corn-free diet... but his diapers often have undigested food.

At first we thought it was due to his lack of teeth (his first one is just starting to poke through). But... even if I run everything through a food mill, some things (like carrots) still show up. It looks like confetti

So... my current thought is that his body doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes. I know that I don't, but I'm an adult. How do you supplement a (breastfed) baby? I'm not sure. He gets eczema on his face if he gets even a small trace of the forbidden foods, so as long as his face stays clear I know he's doing well.

I was thinking about your situation and could your son have an issue with sugar? I had some of the same issues as yours (as I stated earlier) and once I took sugar out of his diet (or limited sugar) no more problems. To much sugar also burns his bottom when he poops.

[Mother of Jibril]

I was thinking about your situation and could your son have an issue with sugar? I had some of the same issues as yours (as I stated earlier) and once I took sugar out of his diet (or limited sugar) no more problems. To much sugar also burns his bottom when he poops.

Hard to tell if sugar is a problem... he doesn't like fruit. I tried bananas again yesterday and he spit them out. He gets a tiny bit of pure maple syrup in (otherwise unsweetened) yogurt. That's honestly it! I've never given him juice or candy. The only processed food I've given him is rice cereal where the only ingredient is rice.

I suppose it's possible that he's getting a little sugar from my breastmilk, but even I'm not eating much sugar these days. Mostly dark chocolate (70% or higher).

[B'sgirl]

My two-year old was in the same situation. After going gluten-free he showed a lot of improvement but still had periodic undigested diapers and rashes. We later found him to have problems with milk, soy, and possibly corn. You may have to try and eliminate more than just gluten to find out.

[Nathan's mom]

You are so blessed to see such positive results so soon. It has taken my son a year and a half for his stools to begin to look normal, so I would say what you are seeing just means he is still healing inside. It really takes time for the intestines to heal and for things to digest like they should. Just give it more time.

Debbie

[teacherwheart]

You are so blessed to see such positive results so soon. It has taken my son a year and a half for his stools to begin to look normal, so I would say what you are seeing just means he is still healing inside. It really takes time for the intestines to heal and for things to digest like they should. Just give it more time.

Debbie

Thank you I feel better.

[Bridy]

I second the probiotic.

My daughter had really poor digestion as well, but ever since we had her on a really good probiotic she is doing much better. She rarley ever has undigested food in her BM, and she use to always have it.

We give her HMF. it is an adult dosage, but we only give her 1 cap a day. It was suggested to us by her Natrualpath and the doasage is safe for her, but you might want to check to see what is safe for your baby.