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My dd (aged 5) has never had firm stools - should I be worried?

2 replies

jennymac · 29/03/2012 13:06

She is very healthy in every other way and very rarely picks up any bugs or illnesses of any kind and is a healthy weight for her age and size. However, I always thought she would grow out of the runny poo stage in time but it has never happened. She is a great eater and has a varied and healthy diet but now I am thinking there must be something in her diet that is causing this. Anyone experience anything similar?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
cluccles · 29/03/2012 17:08

yes my DD is the same but she is only 2.7. Like yours she's otherwise well and has a good diet. She's not that keen on dairy and do sometimes wonder whether it's something to do with an intolerance. She doesn't complain of stomach pain or anything

maydaychild · 29/03/2012 17:34

My Dd is same
We've just come out the other end of appointments at Kings.
I was dreadfully worried, they weren't and didn't do very much to give me confidence. But I will share my story

Age 2 potty trained easily
Age 2-4 she had 4 urine infections which I picked up on as she had a whiffy vagina. Usually sweaty fishy smell.
She had kidney scans for this and all was well.

Age 4 she started school and as I signed the form for daily milk, I thought "this isn't a good idea".
So I asked Doctor for a referall for lactose intolerance.

She has greasy floating turn the water murky, fluffy stools.
Nothing like mine although family has same diet.
Her dad poo's a lot, much more than me. I think he is the same.

Kings took her off milk 6 weeks. Total exclusion - check all packets.
They did a blood test and sent me to dietician.
The consultant was derogatory. Why do you think it's milk? It's just toddler diahorrea.

Her blood came back low in iron.
2 weeks milk free, her stools were normal !
2 weeks later she ate ice cream at Xmas and got constipated. She screamed with fear!!

They did a lactose test - only a few hospitals have the equipment so expect to be fobbed off.

Upshot is after 4 months milk free, her iron has picked up. Doc agreed the speed of passage (no pun intended) of food passing through was likely preventing absorption of essentials.

He said she would grow out of it within next year (I'm doubtful).
He confirmed she is cows milk protein intolerant.
He wants us to introduce milk slowly with cheese etc to begin with. She has instantly gone back to sloppy and skid marks so I'm stopping again.

A friend has seen same doc privately. 6 weeks milk free, dietician appt. We know private hosp can't do lactose test there because we asked.. Her boys symptoms were identical.
Doc performed a colonoscopy and a down throat oscopy! No lactose test. Doc has made some money on other two tests

Identical report back to ours!

So you don't need invasive tests. You do need a blood test, exclude milk then test blood again. They can also test poo for lactose etc.

Being milk free is actually easy. I use Oatly range and Alpro custard.
She drinks calcium Oatly just like normal milk and I cook with plain Oatly.
I use pure Marge and bake cakes etc

Going out, main food is ok, puddings are nightmare so take your own with you. Italian esp pizza express is hard for her!

Sorry typed all that on my ph

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