10 month old DS is allergic to dairy, and used to have a problem with wheat which seems to be subsiding. We also EC and so I really see, um, every detail of his bowel movements. :lol
So my question is fairly simple. If he has a loose stool after a new food is introduced, does that equal an allergy?
For example, I am starting to believe he has a problem with corn. The first corn he had was off the cob (given to him by an inconsiderate relative), and that caused 2 days worth of the runs. I just figured it was more to do with the ridiculously hard to digest corn kernels. But I just tried some baby food with corn pureed in with some squash, and it resulted in diahrea too. So... corn allergy?
On the other hand, other foods that he has tried not in pureed form (grated carrot, chunks of watermelon, steamed brocolli, steamed asparagus) have also caused diarhea. Does that mean he has allergies to all of these?
I'm full of questions tonight, but DH is really no support on this matter and I could really use some support.

It can, I would eliminate it for a few weeks and re-intro and see if you get the same result. Corn is in a TON of things, including packaging, so make sure you eliminate from all sources while you are on your trial.
I would eliminate all the things you said you think he is allergic to and re-intro one every week after an inital two week elimination.

Packaging? :dizzy:
Please, Lord, don't let my baby really be allergic to corn.

Based on our experience, yes it can mean allergies. But it can also mean gut flora issues... for example, before my DS was better on our rotation diet, there were certain foods he could not digest fully, therefore the undigested sugars sent him into diarrhea.
This could also mean that he is consuming *something else* he is allergic to that is constantly inflaming his gut lining.... an inflamed gut lining cannot digest food properly.
Either way, allergic or not, I think it's prudent to avoid anything you feel is causing a reaction given that your lil' guy *does* have confirmed allergies. His immune system has still not matured. You could create new allergies if you feed something over and over with a damaged immune/digestive system.
Has he had thrush? Bifidobacteria has really helped my DS, it is dominent in the large intestine so can help to control diarrhea. And is also very important for all babies and kids, whose gut flora doesn't change over to "adult-like" until age 6 or 7. Not so coincidentally, that is when it's commonly known for the immune system to mature as well.
It's hard, I know. :hug But you want to do as much as you can now to avoid more problems later. It's easier for them to eat a structured diet now then when they are older!

Jane, thanks, this is very helpful.
Does that mean any and all foods I am giving him have a chance of becoming allergenic for him? He doesn't eat much of a wide variety as of yet, though I am under constant pressure by fam and friends to get him to eat more and not to sweat introducing new things without waiting 4 days inbetween. Yes. We've got some weird allergies. The peer pressure SUCKS, believe me I've been thru it... including from my DH.... but it will make you stronger mama, it will.
His stools are almost always green, though only occassionally loose and runny. Is that further indication of a gut that is still in trouble? I will put him back on the probiotics. They're expensive, so I had stopped. Did you see results from probiotics?
I don't think green poo is what you want at all, that sounds like a reaction to me... and also given he still has eczema. You are in a unique position right now (and I want to say "don't blow it" but of course that is crass! :o )
...but if you could see things from my point of view ... my DS just turned 4 and we are still dealing with this. He's sooo much better, but it's still a major issue. The time is now, by being really careful and going slow, you could avoid so much!
(not only allergies but things like asthma down the line, I saw your other thread)
Plus, we were eating a soy yogurt every day, but have skipped the last couple of days. Could just a few days with no yogurt make a difference? Maybe but usually commercial yogurt doesn't have a lot of live cultures or do you make yourself?
And I'm not thrilled with processed soy to begin with anyways... the calcium is not bioavailable so it's not a good source. And the isolated soy proteins are damaged and irritating to the gut. Plus the whole estrogenic and thyroid antagonizing issue. When I had gut problems, soy milk sent my stomach into a tizzy but I could eat tempeh (fermented, easy to digest, so a good soy product in moderation) so I know it wasn't an allergy.

Jane-
I'm afraid of making my own soy yogurt because I've had so many nasty tasting commercially available ones. I love the WholeSoy brand, the rest are terrible. I'm afraid that with those odds mine would suck. Any tips there? I'd love to make my own.
That is, of course, if soy is ok. We eat *a lot* of soy. I love soy milk now and drink it almost as often as I used to drink milk (1 gallon a week?). If I try to eliminate it for a while, what should I do instead for such a good protein source for DS and I? Any ideas?
My gosh, you know so much. I feel overwhelmed, but I seriously don't want "to blow it." You're right; we're poised to nip things in the bud right now. He is only now taking an interest in solid foods, and doesn't eat very many different things. Yet.
Oh, the pressure. :dizzy: :lol We'll do the best we can.

Sorry, I really don't mean to add to the pressure! This is how I learned too ... dealing with DS's issues. I've come to the point where I'm grateful for all I've been thru b/c I see things so differently and know so much more. I've also been able to heal myself thru this journey, it's been extremely difficult, but also very beneficial.
The other thing is that soy has digestive enzyme inhibitors. I'm not sure if yogurt would eliminate them, that is indeed likely as fermenting does do that. I'd be very concerned if you ate a lot of soy given reseach, see recent here article:
The Dark Side of Soy by Dr. Kaaya Daniel

For protein, are you vegetarian? Eggs are the best source then, get omega 3 or pastured eggs for best nutrients.
Another concern is calcium, you need a lot of absorbable calcium while bf'ing. Unless soy is fermented (and again, maybe yogurt does the trick I don't know for sure) the calcium is not bioavailable. You also need vitamins A and D to absorb your calcium, and soy tends to be fortified with the vegan toxic kind of these vitamins (retinyl palmitate and D2), unlike natural A and D from dairy or cod liver oil.