Let's Talk Poop And FPIES

Because FPIES parents are obsessed with poop! So what's a normal poop? And what are the symptoms we should be watching for?

First of all, let's talk about normal poop in a healthy baby. Even for babies without FPIES, there is a high degree of variability in frequency, consistency and colour - all which are considered normal.

Signs that you should stop feeding the food:
Vomiting
Blood in poop
Mucus in poop

Mucus in poop is NOT the same as mucou-sy poop. Bear with me as I get vivid. Mucous in poop = egg white looking substance on the surface of poop. Mucou-sy poop could look slimy or even stringy. If the poop looks slimy and stringy but its pretty much the same colour overall, without the presence of this egg white looking blob - the poop is normal! If you are still confused, take 1/2 tsp of egg white and drop in onto your baby's poopy diaper (no, I'm not kidding!)

Do not COMPLETELY stop feeding your baby a food based solely on:
Poop consistency
Smell of poop
Presence of diaper rash (even non-FPIES babies get bad diaper rash)
Gas or bloating

If your baby develops frequent or loose stools from a new food WITHOUT mucus or blood or vomiting, you may not have to completely eliminate the food (especially if your baby is gaining weight appropriately). Your baby's stomach is likely still adjusting to solid foods. You can try giving a smaller amount or wait a few weeks before trying again.

I have said this before and I will say it again because it is important. Unnecessary food avoidance can increase your baby's risk of an igE-mediated food allergy (ie. anaphylactic reaction).