Other Causes In Formula
Added formula ingredients
Using a certain formula or changing formulas can cause diarrhea in babies. Some babies just find many formulas harder to digest, though this is uncommon. It might take them a little while to get used to a new formula. This can lead to tummy cramps, gas, and diarrhea.
Milk allergy or intolerance
Milk allergy and milk intolerance are two difference things, but they can both sometimes cause diarrhea in babies. However, an allergy is uncommon. Only about 7 percent of babies under 1 year old are allergic to cows milk.
This kind of allergy can cause diarrhea, vomiting, or other symptoms right after feeding, or even hours to days later. Most children grow out of this allergy around the age of 5 years old.
Milk intolerance happens when your little ones stomach cant digest lactose, the sugars found in milk. Your baby might get this temporarily after having a stomach bug. Your baby might get diarrhea right after feeding even though they were fine with this kind of formula before.
If your baby has trouble with milk-derived formulas, check the label for ingredients like:
- casein
- whey
Black Thick Baby Poop
Thick, black stools at 3 months of age or older often indicate bleeding in the digestive tract, which can be dangerous for your baby. Contact your pediatrician. One thing to note: Iron supplements or iron-fortified formula can sometimes cause stool to turn dark brown or black, in which case theres no need to be concerned. Check with your doctor to be sure.
How Is Baby Diarrhea Treated
Photo by Amanda Mills, USCDCP from Pixnio
Baby diarrhea must be correctly diagnosed to be treated properly.;
You should keep your baby well-hydrated while you are waiting to hear from a doctor. If your baby is breastfeeding, increase feeding to compensate for lost fluids. If you cant produce enough breast milk to supplement the lost fluids, you can supplement with baby formula.;
Pedialyte and other infant-formulated rehydration treatments may be given to babies over the age of 1 unless your doctor has recommended against it. Infants under the age of 1 should not be given rehydration formulas without recommendation.;
When your baby is examined, your doctor may recommend various treatments based on the source and severity of your babys symptoms. Medication may be prescribed with strict instructions in the case of an infection.
The symptoms may also point to the existence of an illness or chronic conditions. Treating the underlying condition may alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea without further intervention.;
Antidiarrheals that are safe for adults are not recommended to treat infant diarrhea.;
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Taking Care Of Your Baby
Make sure your baby gets plenty of liquids so she does not get dehydrated.
- Keep breastfeeding your baby if you are nursing. Breastfeeding helps prevent diarrhea, and your baby will recover quicker.
- If you are using formula, make it full strength unless your health care provider gives you different advice.
If your baby still seems thirsty after or between feedings, talk to your provider about giving your baby Pedialyte or Infalyte. Your provider may recommend these extra liquids that contain electrolytes.
- Try giving your baby 1 ounce of Pedialyte or Infalyte, every 30 to 60 minutes. Do not water down Pedialyte or Infalyte. Do not give sports drinks to young infants.
- Try giving your baby a Pedialyte popsicle.
If your baby throws up, give them only a little bit of liquid at a time. Start with as little as 1 teaspoon of liquid every 10 to 15 minutes. Do not give your baby solid foods when she is vomiting.
DO NOT give your baby ant-diarrhea medicine unless your provider says it is OK.
How To Prevent The Spread Of Diarrhoea
If your baby or child comes into contact with other family members or people , wash their hands using liquid soap in warm running water, and dry their hands, frequently. Keep toilets clean and wash towels frequently. Make sure everyone in your family washes their hands regularly with soap and warm water to avoid spreading the infection and dont share towels.
Dont return your child to their school or childcare facility until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.
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Newborn Baby Poop Smell
Meconium doesnt have a distinct smell. Some describe it as odorless where others say it has a sweet smell. The reason for this is that the poop is sterile bacteria isnt present in the intestines at this point.
The bacteria in our intestines is what gives stool that lovely smell. Bacteria, however, is introduced to your babys stomach after the first feeding. So, the odorless poop is short-lived.
Baby Poop After One Month
After the first month, it’s normal for a baby to have poop;in every diaper, but it’s also normal for a baby to have a bowel movement once every few days or even longer. The consistency of the poop is more important than the frequency. If your baby’s poop looks like pebbles or is any stiffer or thicker than peanut butter, this could be a sign of constipation.
Some breastfed infants will not have a bowel movement for several days. The lack of poop is not constipation. Since newborns can digest;breast milk;easily, there is often very little waste. Less waste means fewer bowel movements. It’s not something you have to worry about. Nor do you need to be concerned about frequent loose stools; breastfeeding actually helps prevent diarrhea.
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Causes Of Recurrent Diarrhea
- Cow’s Milk Allergy. Can cause loose, slimy stools in babies. Can be blood-streaked. Starts within the first 2 months of life. Need to avoid cow’s milk formulas.
- Lactose Intolerance. Lactose is the sugar in milk. Many people cannot absorb lactose. The gut bacteria convert the lactose to gas. The main symptoms are a lot of gas, loose stools and stomach bloating. Onset usually at age 4 or 5. This most often runs in the family .
Baby Diarrhea Treatment And Prevention Tips For Viral Diarrhea
Its not uncommon for babies to have diarrhea from time to time. While its usually not serious, its important to know about baby diarrhea treatment and how to avoid it in the future.
How to prevent viral diarrhea
Baby diarrhea can sometimes happen, so its important to take steps to avoid it:
- 1. Hand washing: Everyone who comes in contact with your baby should first thoroughly wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. Wash your babys hands often, too.
- 2. Disinfecting: Be sure to disinfect changing tables, toys, and other surface areas your baby touches. One of the best ways of disinfecting these areas is to clean with a mixture made with half a cup of bleach combined with a gallon of water.
How to treat viral diarrhea
To treat baby diarrhea that comes from a virus, keep these considerations in mind:
- 1. Top up formula or breast milk: Offer additional breast milk or formula to your babyits important to increase these liquids.
- 2. Consider an electrolyte solution: Ask your doctor about possibly giving your baby an oral rehydration solution. Electrolyte solutions quickly replace water and electrolytes baby would have lost from diarrhea. The high amounts of electrolyte sodium and balance of carbohydrates helps promote absorption of both fluids and electrolytes. Since theres tummy turmoil its best to choose one without the use of artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.
3 things to avoid if your baby has viral diarrhea
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Appearance Causes And Treatment Of Baby Diarrhea
Meredith Shur, MD, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a certified medical examiner.
Diarrhea is one of the most common childhood issues in the United States and around the world. It can be scary and dangerous. But, when you have a newborn or young infant, it’s not always easy to tell the difference between normal poop and diarrhea. Here’s how to tell if your baby has diarrhea, along with information about the causes, treatments, and dangers of diarrhea in newborns and infants.
What Can You Do About Constipation
If you think your baby is constipated, see your healthcare provider for advice. Don’t give your baby any medication, including a laxative, unless it’s specifically prescribed by your provider.
If your little one doesn’t get better or has other symptoms like vomiting, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, or blood in the stool, call your provider immediately.
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Dehydration: How To Know
- Dehydration means that the body has lost too much fluid. This can happen with vomiting and/or diarrhea. A weight loss of more than 3% is needed. Mild diarrhea or mild vomiting does not cause this. Neither does a small decrease in fluid intake.
- Dehydration is the most important complication of diarrhea. Dehydration is a reason to see your doctor right away.
- These are signs of dehydration:
- Dry tongue and inside of the mouth. Dry lips are not helpful.
- Dry eyes with decreased or absent tears
- In babies, a depressed or sunken soft spot
- Slow blood refill test: Longer than 2 seconds. First, press on the thumbnail and make it pale. Then let go. Count the seconds it takes for the nail to turn pink again. Ask your doctor to teach you how to do this test.
- Fussy, tired out or acting ill. If your child is alert, happy and playful, he or she is not dehydrated.
When To Call A Doctor
The two colors that a babys poop or diarrhea should never be are white and red. Call your babys pediatrician immediately if you see these colors in your little ones diaper.
Very light or white poop can be a sign of a liver problem. Red diarrhea or poop can mean theres bleeding somewhere inside.
Also call your doctor if your baby has severe diarrhea, or more than 10 watery poops a day.
Get medical attention if your baby has other symptoms or signs of illness along with diarrhea. These include:
- lots of vomiting
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When Theres No Poop Constipation
With all the variation in how often your baby poops, you may sometimes wonder how you can tell if your little one is constipated.
Constipation is more common after the introduction of solids, but it can occur in younger babies, too. Here are some typical signs of constipation:
-
In a newborn baby. Firm stools that come less than once a day.
-
In an older baby or toddler. Hard, compact stools that only come every three or four days.
-
In a baby or child of any age. Large, hard, and dry stools that are painful to pass. If there’s blood on or in your child’s stools. If your child strains for more than 10 minutes without passing any stool at all.
What Should Baby Poop Look Like Anyway
A range of colors, textures, frequencies and volumes are considered normal. But there are some things to watch out for.
Baby poop is a source of great mystery and often, concern for many parents. Sometimes its green and mushy; other times its yellow and seedy. What does it all mean? Baby poop is not like adult poop, said Dr. Katie Lockwood,M.D.,an attending physician at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. So there are lots of questions about it.
Thankfully, unraveling the meaning behind all those bizarre colors, textures and sizes is pretty straightforward. And most of the time, everything you see is perfectly normal .
For this guide, I spoke with three experts about what to expect from your babys stool from birth until she starts eating solids including whats normal, whats not and when to call the doctor.
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Is My Baby Constipated
If your baby seems uncomfortable and is filling their diaper with something that is thicker than toothpaste or that looks like logs or marbles, then they’re probably constipated. This problem occurs for several reasons. In babies under 4 months of age, it’s usually because your child isn’t getting enough fluids, so remedy the situation by encouraging them to drink more breast milk or formula. Ask your doctor for specific advice and treatment options.
Is Baby Diarrhea Dangerous
In the vast majority of cases, diarrhea in infants is not dangerous. However, one of the biggest risks of multiple diarrhea episodes is dehydration – your baby loses a lot of fluids when he or she has diarrhea and it is very important to give your baby enough breastmilk, formula, or watery foods to compensate for the diarrhea.
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A Guide To Your Newborn Or Infant’s Poop
Meredith Shur, MD, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a certified medical examiner.
Baby poop can cause stress and anxiety for parents. From the color and consistency to the amount of poop your child produces, it can be hard to tell what’s normal. Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of both, here’s a guide to what’s normal and what isn’t when it comes to your baby’s poop.
Frothy Or Mucousy Baby Poop
Baby poop that is frothy or especially mucousy can signify;that something isnt quite right. It could be;the foremilk/hindmilk imbalance that we talked about earlier, or it could be a bacterial infection.
On the other hand, sometimes mucousy poop is just the product of a teething baby who is drooling more . If you are concerned, or baby is showing signs of illness, talk to your pediatrician.
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Is Baby Diarrhea And Teething Related
Contrary to popular belief, teething is not related to your babys runny belly, according to the;American Academy of Pediatrics. However, many mothers believe they are because when babies teethe around six months, mommies start to offer them solid foods. This change in diet can cause diarrhea. After breastfeeding and drinking formula, your babys tummy may be sensitive to new foods, which can throw off their digestive tract.
Besides growing new teeth, at six months babies also begin to lose the antibodies they got from their mothers, which makes them more prone to infection. This is another reason teething and diarrhea happen around the same time.
Baby Poop After Starting Solid Foods
The color, frequency, and consistency of your baby’s poop;will change again once you introduce solid foods at approximately 4 to 6 months of age. At this point, the;bowel movements will be thicker and more formed.
The foods that you feed your baby will change the color of the stool, too. For example, carrots and sweet potatoes can turn poop;orange, while green beans and peas may turn it green. You may also see foods that do not get digested at all and end up in the diaper in their original form. The introduction of solid foods can increase the chances of constipation.
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Common Signs Of Health Issues
If you monitor your dog’s poop closely, you’ll be able to tell immediately when something doesn’t look right. The quality of your dog’s stool can change fast.
Here are some common changes you may notice and what they could mean for your young pup. It’s a good idea to take your pup to a vet for in-depth testing if these problems occur.
Stay Out Of Extreme Heat
Try not to take your newborn or young infant outdoors if it’s very hot or humid. If you need to be outside, keep your baby in the shade and as cool as possible.
Babies can also overheat inside in a hot, stuffy room or car, or if they’re all bundled up. Try to keep your baby comfortable and breastfeed and offer a bottle often to replace the fluids that they’re losing.
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When Should I Worry About Baby Diarrhea Does Baby Diarrhea Go Away On Its Own
Infants will likely experience baby diarrhea once in a while and it’s usually not serious. However, it’s important to recognize any potential warning signs and know when it’s best to contact your doctor.
When to call your doctor immediately
There are times when you should get your doc on the phone right away. If your baby has diarrhea and the following, its best to get them treated immediately.
- Is vomiting along with the diarrhea
- Has severe diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts several days
- Does not have wet diapers
- Has a rectal temperature of 100.4 °F or higher
- Has diarrhea that contains blood or mucus
- Seems to be in pain
- Is three months old or younger
Before you see your pediatrician about baby diarrhea
While understanding the signs associated with diarrhea is important, you should consider making a list of questions before you see your baby’s pediatrician to ensure you have all your bases covered.
- Write down all your baby’s issues and your concerns, including answers to these questions:
- When did you first notice your baby’s diarrhea?
- How often is your baby experiencing diarrhea in a day?
- Is it explosive diarrhea?
What Different Baby Poop Consistencies Mean
Since your infant is on an all-liquid diet, soft, squishy poops will be the norm for a while. Baby poop can be as thick as peanut butter or mushier, like cottage cheese or yogurt. Breastfed baby poop usually looks like fancy mustard: yellow, seedy, or curdy. Formula poop tends to resemble beat-up flan or pudding. Excessively hard poop can indicate constipation, while soft poop could point to diarrhea ;
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