Toddler belly bloated - endless problems for a month HELP

[mumstressoutmum]

I'm having an absolute nightmare with my 13mo. He has had illness after illness since starting crèche last month. He had viral tonsillitis about three weeks ago, two rounds of antibiotics later and a cold later he seems to be getting over that. Now he has the worst bloating. Really swollen tummy. Don't think its anything extremely serious as we've had so many doctors appointments with stubborn tonsillitis so he's been seen regular and his vitals are fine etc and he's no longer being sick.
But he does seem a bit constipated and so so gassy which has been ongoing since going on to full fat milk.
I am just losing my mind...it's been a month of constant problems and anxiety.
I don't know what to do honestly! Have some left over lactulose and thinking of just putting him back on it for a week to help. Or maybe I should dilute his cows milk with water to help his constipation and gas?
He has an awesome diet of meat, veg, fruit and he has porridge most nights before bedtime. He hates water but we manage to keep him hydrated.
Please help the most stressed out mum ever. 😩😩

Lentils turn my son's bowels into a tap

Also live yogurt and pear are a yummy dessert that really get things moving

I would be looking at a lactose intolerance.
Prunes are an excellent fruit to get things moving if he will eat one.

The antibiotics may have affected his bowels. You could try some friendly bacteria yoghurt or yakault?

Thanks for your suggestions. Luckily he loves yoghurt so I'm going to pick some up. Lactose intolerance has crossed my mind but he done okay on formula, so I'm not sure

Could it be coeliac disease (gluten)? Worth having him tested for that if the symptoms don’t clear up.

Coeliac disease (like an allergy to gluten in wheat) would present like this. You can ask the Gp if they think it would fit. Its diagnosed by a blood test and then if not you can exclude dietary causes one at a time for 2 weeks to see if that makes a difference.

That's a thought...I wouldn't have even considered coeliac. Looking online it seems quite similar to these symptoms he's had. Agh another trip to the GP I think... :( Poor baby

Try pre and probiotics. The antibiotics may have killed off all the good gut bacteria. You'll be able to get ones specifically for kids from a health food shops. Make sure he has prebiotics too as you need to feed the bacteria not just replace it.

Hey OP,
did you manage to find a cause for your LO’s problems?
My little boy has just been tested for coeliac and I’m anxiously awaiting the results. But interestingly the hospital asked me to give him lactose free formula for a month to see how he goes!