Can any Pediatric Nurses help me with a toddler question?

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I have a 2 year old (he just turned 2 in November). Well, when he turned 2 I immediately changed him from whole milk to 2% milk. I didn't think it was a problem when we went for his 24 month well baby check up which was a few days after he turned 2 but now we are starting to think there is a problem. He's been super gassy (passing gas every 5 minutes it seems and they are loud, sorry if it's TMI), lots of poppy diapers (not very hard but more on the soft side), his stomach is super hard and BIG after eating or drinking. What does this sound like? Is this normal or should we be worried. This has been going on since we changed his milk...could it be the milk?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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Specializes in jack of all trades.

My first son was allergic to every formula on the market so we ended up with apple juice for him. I nursed my 2nd little guy until he was 18 months then at age 2 placed him on 2%. Did well at first but later developed gi problems very similar to yours. We went through the gambit of doctors all who tried to insist there is no such thing as "food" allergies lol. Anyway I elected on my own to just put him on Lactaid and guess what it cleared up almost immediately. Only returned when another family member mistakenly gave him regular milk again. I'm not giving medical advice mind you so please if anything take him to his pediatrician initially and see what his opinion is. Like you I didnt keep my children on whole milk beyond age 2.

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Thanks! I am calling his doctor tomorrow, but my hubby said the same thing to put him on lactaid milk and see if that helps.

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I think the only difference between whole milk and 2% is the fat content. And less fat would seem NOT to make a person MORE gassy.

I'm not sure it is a milk allergy. You went from dairy milk to dairy milk.

My oldest son went from breast to dairy and had terrible problems with gas and loose stools. We tried soy for a year and then gradually put him back on dairy. He drink about a gallon of milk a day now -no problems (he is almost 24 years old).

Apple juice is almost all sugar and made all my kids have loose stools.

We only drink orange juice.

Definitely talk to your doc. Sometimes people will be more sensitive to food changes than other people and it isn't a true allergy. Sorta like when you change dog food . . for awhile your dog has a change in stooling.

steph

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

You can develop a food allergy any time. It may be milk, maybe not. Could be an allergy and it is just a coincidence that it came up at the time of the switch. The above poster is right. Usually if anything, the fuller fat milks will give you the gassiness and looser poop. Definately call the MD in the AM. Keep us posted and let us know the final result!

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Specializes in NICU.

Could he just be sick with a bug?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I hope your child gets to feeling better. However, we at AllNurses can't provide medical advice. Please call your primary care provider.

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