Digestive issues? with my 5 year old

[The Nappy Lady]

OK guys, sorry this is a bit of a nasty topic so don't read if you are eating etc. but I'd like to see if anyone else can help with this.

My 5 year old has always had very loose bowel movements, basically where other children start to do solid stuff once eating food like adults she has never really got to that stage. She goes regularly, usually once a day, but if you didn't know her you'd think she had an upset tummy. Now she's 5 she has started to comment on it and I don't want it to become an issue for her - I keep telling her not to worry and it is just how her body works.

I've spoken to a doctor at the surgery who told me that if she is growing normally, healthy generally and full of energy not to worry, but I still wonder if there is an underlying issue.

Do you think I should pursue, maybe push to get a sample tested, or to see the nutritionist at the surgery etc? I found some info on the internet where someone else had a similar problem and said it was due to the child not having all the right bacteria in their gut and that giving Isotonix Might-a-Mins powder which you mix with water solved it.

I am a little nervous because my sister was diagnosed with IBS a few years ago, but one of the things they did with her was to put her on an exclusion diet to identify what foods 'set her off'. When she then re-introduced foods 1 at a time some things she'd been OK eating before suddenly caused her problems, so there is a bit of me that feels nervous to start down this route...but...

I don't want to make a big deal out of it because my daughter is a bit of a drama queen as it is (no idea where she gets that from!!), but equally I worry that I may not be acting on something that does need to be resolved.

Arrggghh, parenthood, always something to worry about.

Any thoughts?

Molly

Edited to add - I've started to post this, then taken it off several times over the past few months as it is such a sensitive issue, hope nobody minds me asking, but it really is playing on my mind.

[EDmummy]

I am sorry to hear of your daughter's distress over her loose bowels.

I am sure you had done some internet research on this. Have you considered that she may have an intolerance to dairy? You could try a small exclusion diet for her (one food type at a time) over a week or so each and see if she benefits. As a child, I was diagnosed with a dairy allergy (different with different symptoms to intolerance) but nevertheless, an allergist proposed a series of exclusions to find out what was causing my symptoms. It was then discovered that I had an intolerance to tomatoes and strawberries as well - both of which gave me similar symptoms to your daughter.

It might be worth having a chat to someone with medical training who could consider this possibility. Good luck.

[The Nappy Lady]

Thank you EDMummy, and those who have sent me a PM, all very helpful.

I have considered whether it may be a dairy or wheat allergy, I guess I've just been nervous to start trying exclusion diets because of my sisters experiences.

Think I will go to see the nutrionist at the Doctors Surgery and take it from there.

Molly