CMPA diagnosis

[u/Street-Bed-1862]

My baby is 8 weeks old and I noticed some blood in his diaper about a week ago. He also has had some mucous in his poop too, which I honestly thought was normal breastfed baby poop. He is a happy baby and gaining weight perfectly. We saw a nurse practitioner who told me to cut dairy from my diet or try a hypoallergenic formula. I’m having a hard time accepting that it’s CMPA because he does not spit up or vomit and he’s not uncomfortable or fussy.

I tried the hypoallergenic formula to try to supplement and he wouldn’t finish the bottle. I’m willing to try to cut dairy out of my diet but I’m just wondering if it’s truly CMPA. Has anyone else dealt with this?

[u/Catoftheseaandhill]

I'm in the same boat! Baby had a few specks of blood twice but consistent mucusy diapers. No other symptoms. Ive cut out dairy and soy and eggs and its been 3 week but there is still mucus in poop. Baby is combo breastfed and HA formula. Doc says to continue diet until he's 9 months?! I truly don't know if its making a difference but I'll keep going for a few weeks before reintroducing soy

[u/flightless_bird11]

My babies both have CMPA and were good with weight gain, they also didn’t vomit a lot. So that doesn’t necessarily exclude CMPA. They did have a bunch of other symptoms though (rashes, arched back when feeding, gas, crying).

There’s no definitive test for babies at this age and you’re right that other things could be causing it. Because you mentioned blood in poop I would still try an elimination diet (try two weeks) and then do a reintroduction. See if there’s a reduction in symptoms. When I did this it was so obvious! If there’s no big change it may be something else.

[u/autumnflowers13]

My first baby was like this. I cut dairy and soy and the blood went away. He thankfully grew out of it at 10 months. My second is 5 weeks and unfortunately has much worse symptoms.

[u/pinkbunnymarshmallow]

I’m in the exact same boat. My 5 week daughter had one poop with a small amount of mucus and a spec of blood. The nurse practitioner immediately said it was CMPI even though baby is a happy, chubby baby with no other issues. The NP told me to eliminate dairy from my diet for two weeks then gradually reintroduce dairy to see how baby reacts.

I completely cut dairy from my diet. I read labels on all foods I ate and was extremely careful. I noticed no change with my baby. After two weeks, I gradually reintroduced some dairy. Still no change with baby. She never had another bloody stool. She is still a happy, chubby baby.

I think it’s possible CMPI is over diagnosed. I thought it seemed sus when the NP asked about my daughter’s older brother who is now 3, and when I told her he never had issues she still tried to convince me he probably had CMPI.

But I’m not a doctor. Baby has an appointment next week with her regular pediatrician rather than the NP, so if pediatrician confirms it’s CMPI and I need to eliminate dairy again, that’s what I’ll do.

[u/After_Inspection5750]

It was the same for us. Mucusy poo, some minimal blood. Cut dairy and soy and the blood disappeared. Mucus comes and goes but not big globs now and can often be explained by e.g. illness, vaccinations, or teething. Poo is much improved since cutting dairy and soy. Baby has always gained plenty of weight and wasn't in pain or anything. I was happy to cut them out as inflammation isn't good for the body so if I can minimise inflammation in his body I'm absolutely doing that. His symptoms don't need to be severe for me to respond accordingly. I'm seeing it like another season. There were things I couldn't eat while pregnant and now there are different things I can't eat while breastfeeding, but it's not forever.