Baby diarrhea after every feeding

Baby Diarrhea Guide and How to Stop it

What Does Baby Diarrhea Look Like? | Why Do Babies Have Diarrhea? | Diarrhea and Dehydration: How Do I Know If My Baby Could Be Dehydrated? | Managing Viral Diarrhea | Things to Avoid If Your Baby Has Viral Diarrhea | Baby Diarrhea Management Tips Due to Feeding or Diet Issues | When to See Your Pediatrician About Your Baby’s Diarrhea

What does baby diarrhea look like?

Diarrhea looks like loose, watery stools—and there’s a lot of it. It may occur numerous times throughout the day and may leak out your baby’s diaper

Breastfed and formula-fed babies’ stool usually differs in color and consistency, so knowing what to look for may help you identify diarrhea.¹

Breastfed babies

Breastfed babies typically have slightly sweet-smelling stools that may be runny, seedy, and yellow. These soft stools often occur after every feeding, so it may be difficult to discern what’s diarrhea and what’s not. Keep an eye out for the following that could indicate diarrhea:

Much looser stools three or more times a day
Slimy, mucus-streaked or blood-tinged stools
Whitish or clay-like stools
Foul-smelling stools

Formula-fed babies

Formula-feeding babies typically have pasty, peanut-butter consistency stools. Healthy stools may be shades of yellow or brown and smell more odorous than a breastfed baby’s. Diarrhea in formula-fed babies commonly appears to be:²

Runny
Slimy, mucus-streaked or blood-tinged
Bright yellow
Whitish or clay-like

Diarrhea could be mild (3-5 watery stools per day), moderate (6-9 watery stools per day), or severe (10 or more watery stools per day).³

The most significant concern with diarrhea is that it could lead to dehydration, which babies are more susceptible to since they have a higher metabolic rate and body water content.⁴

Why do babies have diarrhea?

There are several potential reasons why your little peanut could have diarrhea. Some of the most common causes include:⁵

1. Virus

A virus is a typical cause of watery stools. Along with diarrhea, your baby may experience the following:

Vomiting
Fever
Belly pain
Bloody stools

If you suspect your baby has a virus, contact your pediatrician for guidance on how to manage it to ensure your baby remains hydrated and replenishes their vital fluids, salts, and minerals. ⁶

2. Sensitivity to something in mom’s diet

If you’re breastfeeding, your little one’s diarrhea may be a reaction to something in your diet. Reach out to your pediatrician, who may suggest eliminating certain foods on a trial basis. You’ll likely be advised to keep a food diary and note your baby’s diaper habits when you consume certain foods. Often, you’ll have to forgo potential food sensitivities for two weeks to see if they’re the culprit.

3. Lactose intolerance

While not very common in children under three, some infants may be lactose intolerant and unable to digest lactose, the sugar primarily found in milk and dairy products.⁷ Lactose is found in breast milk and most everyday infant formulas. Babies who are lactose intolerant may have loose stools accompanied by:

Gas and fussiness
Nausea
Abdominal pain and cramping

Suspected cases of lactose intolerance could turn out to be a temporary illness or other easily-managed digestive issue, but talk to your pediatrician to find out the root cause. If your baby is lactose intolerant, your doctor may recommend a change to mom’s diet or, if formula-feeding, switching to a plant-based formula or an infant formula designed for sensitive tummies.

4. Cow’s milk protein allergy

Recurrent diarrhea after all or most feedings could indicate cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). This dairy allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a usually harmless protein within cow’s milk as harmful and triggers an allergic response. Babies with cow’s milk protein allergy may experience diarrhea as well as:

Spit-up
Colic
Fussiness and gas
Skin rashes
Vomiting
Wheezing

Cow’s milk protein allergy is the most common type of infant food allergy in the United States, affecting about 2-3% of infants.⁸

It's important to talk to your baby's doctor if you're concerned that an allergy could be causing your baby's diarrhea. Your doctor may recommend a dairy-elimination diet and perform additional tests to help identify CMPA.

5. Antibiotic use by the baby or breastfeeding mom

Antibiotics taken by your baby or passed through breast milk may cause mild diarrhea. Don’t stop taking the antibiotic, but call your doctor if you notice your baby has very watery stools or blood in their diarrhea.⁹

6. Infection or intestinal disease

Some less common causes of diarrhea include a parasitic infection such as giardia or an intestinal disease. Babies with these types of health issues typically have chronic diarrhea that lasts for a few weeks.¹⁰

Diarrhea and dehydration: How do I know if my baby could be dehydrated?

Diarrhea may cause your baby to become dehydrated quickly. This depletion of water and minerals called electrolytes can be dangerous, so watch for these potential dehydration indicators:

No tears when crying
Lack of wet diaper for 6 to 8 hours or only urinating a small amount of dark yellow urine
Irritability
Lethargy
Grayish skin
Sunken eyes
Dry tongue and lips
Sunken soft spot on the head

Since dehydration can have serious effects, avoiding it is an important part of managing diarrhea. ¹¹ If you suspect your baby may be dehydrated, contact your doctor immediately. They may suggest an electrolyte water solution if the dehydration is severe.

Managing viral diarrhea

Viral gastroenteritis is one of the most common causes of baby diarrhea. It’s an infection of the stomach and intestines and typically lasts between two and seven days. While it often goes away on its own, reach out to your doctor for guidance on how to best care for your baby. Keep in mind the following tips for helping your baby stay hydrated.

Top up formula or breast milk. Increase fluids by offering your little one additional breast milk or formula. Try giving small amounts of these at a time and increasing them gradually.¹²

Consider an electrolyte solution. Ask your doctor about giving your baby an oral rehydration solution. Electrolyte solutions may quickly replace water and electrolytes lost from diarrhea. The high amounts of electrolyte sodium and balance of carbohydrates help promote the absorption of both fluids and electrolytes. Since there's tummy turmoil, choosing one without artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners is best.

Watch for diaper rash. Lots of loose stools can irritate your baby’s delicate skin. Change their diapers often, rinse their bottom with warm water when changing, and let the skin air dry. Apply diaper cream and ensure their diapers are secure but not so tight that they rub the skin.

Do NOT give your baby anti-diarrhea medications unless your pediatrician specifically calls for it.

Things to avoid if your baby has viral diarrhea

While it’s important to replenish your baby’s fluids when they have diarrhea, some fluids and foods could actually make issues worse. Avoid the following:

Plain water. Water does not contain enough sodium and other minerals needed to replace what was lost during dehydration.

Apple juice. Juices and other sweet drinks can worsen diarrhea due to their sugar content and acidity. On top of that, acidic diarrhea can be painful—definitely something you’ll want to avoid!

New foods. Since your baby’s tummy is feeling tumultuous, now isn’t the time to try new foods or introduce new beverages (unless specifically advised by your doctor.)

Most babies with moderate diarrhea should be able to consume a normal diet. If they eat solid foods or baby food, continue to give them those foods as you typically would. Cereals and more starchy foods like rice, crackers, and pasta are best because they are easy to digest.

Baby diarrhea management tips due to feeding or diet issues

If you think your baby’s diarrhea may be connected to a dietary issue, it’s important to keep your baby hydrated while also taking steps to help pinpoint the root of the problem.

Keep a food diary.

Take note of everything your baby is ingesting to help your doctor identify the possible reason for your little one’s issues.

If breastfeeding, ask your doctor about dietary changes.

Diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, colic, and other health issues could indicate cow's milk protein allergy, so check with your doctor. They may recommend eliminating dairy from your diet.

Inquire about switching formulas.

Whether your baby’s digestive tract seems a little sensitive or you suspect an allergy such as cow’s milk allergy, talk to your doctor about formula options. For instance, some hypoallergenic baby formulas, such as Enfamil Nutramigen with probiotic LGG Infant Formula, have specific proteins that are easier for babies to digest. Switching to this type of formula may be a simple baby diarrhea management option when the loose stools are associated with cow’s milk allergy.

Consider infant probiotics for diet issues.

You may have heard about probiotics or prebiotics and gut bacteria health. A healthy gut microbiome—home to many so-called good bacteria—is important at any age since it plays a role in a variety of bodily functions. Both prebiotics and probiotics are thought to help support your baby’s health by promoting the growth of good gut bacteria.

When to see your pediatrician about your baby’s diarrhea

Many infants experience diarrhea once in a while. However, if your baby is three months or younger, or if you recognize the following, call your pediatrician right away:

Vomiting along with the diarrhea
Severe diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts several days
Lack of wet diapers (or other indicators of dehydration, including dry mouth)
Rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher
Diarrhea that contains blood or mucus or that looks whitish
Seems to be in pain

Before you see your pediatrician about baby diarrhea

To help your doctor identify your little one’s health issue, call the office and ask if you should do anything to prepare for your visit. Here are some things you can do in advance to help you make the most of your appointment:

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 are their other behaviors: crying, fussiness, or spitting up?
Has your baby had any indications of an allergic reaction: skin rashes, hives, or breathing trouble?
Is your baby refusing to eat?
Does anything seem to improve their issues or make them worse?

Make a list of any medications, foods, or formulas your baby is consuming.
Note any changes in your baby’s sleep pattern, eating habits, or illness.

8 questions to ask your pediatrician about baby diarrhea

While it's not uncommon for babies to have occasional bouts of loose stools, call your baby's doctor anytime for information, advice, and assurance. Here are eight key questions to consider asking your pediatrician if your baby is experiencing diarrhea:

What are the typical causes of diarrhea in babies?
What are the indications of a virus?
Could the loose stools indicate a feeding issue or food allergy?
Should I change my baby's formula or diet? What should I add? What should I take out?
I'm breastfeeding; could something in my diet be causing my baby's diarrhea?
What can I do at home to ease my baby’s diarrhea?
How do I help avoid diarrhea in my baby in the future?
Could infant diarrhea be an indication of a more serious problem?

Your doctor’s guidance can give you peace of mind as you work together to get your baby’s bowel movements back on track so your little one can start feeling better.

References:

¹“Diarrhea.” Seattle Children's. https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/diarrhea/. Accessed October 20, 2022.

²“12 Types of Baby Poop & What They Mean (Infographic).” Blank Children’s Hospital UnityPoint Health. August 15, 2014. https://www.unitypoint.org/blankchildrens/article.aspx?id=40567710-74c7-4ef2-a040-847be9fbd35a. Accessed October 20, 2022.

³“Diarrhea.” Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/symptom-checker/Pages/symptomviewer.aspx?symptom=Diarrhea. Accessed October 20, 2022.

⁴Vega, Roy M., Avva, Usha. “Pediatric Dehydration.” National Library of Medicine. August 1, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436022/. Accessed October 20, 2022.

⁵“Diarrhea in infants.” MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000691.htm. Accessed October 20, 2022.

⁶“Diarrhea in Babies. ” Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Diarrhea-in-Babies.aspx#:~:text=Diarrhea%20isn't%20just%20a,pieces%20that%20look%20like%20seeds. Accessed October 20, 2022.

⁷Porto, Anthony, MD, MPH, FAAP. “Lactose Intolerance in Infants & Children: Parent FAQs.“ Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Lactose-Intolerance-in-Children.aspx. Accessed October 20, 2022.

⁸Moreno Villares, J.M, Oliveros Leal, L., Torres Peral, R., Luna Paredes, C., Martínez-Gimeno, A., García-Hernández, G. ”Growth in infants with cow's milk allergy.” March 2006. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16527091/. Accessed October 20, 2022.

⁹“Antibiotic Prescriptions for Children: 10 Common Questions Answered.” Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Antibiotic-Prescriptions-for-Children.aspx. Accessed October 20, 2022.

¹⁰”Diarrhea in Children.” John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diarrhea-in-children. Accessed October 20, 2022.

¹¹“Diarrhea in Children: What Parents Need to Know.” Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Diarrhea.aspx. Accessed October 20, 2022.

¹²“Viral Diarrhea (Infant/Toddler).” Fairview. https://www.fairview.org/patient-education/115963EN. Accessed October 20, 2022.

Diarrhea (0-12 Months)

Is this your child's symptom?

Sudden increase in the number and looseness of stools
Diarrhea means 3 or more watery or very loose stools. Reason: 1 or 2 loose stools can be normal with changes in diet.

Causes of Acute Diarrhea

Virus (such as Rotavirus). An infection of the intestines from a virus is the most common cause.
Bacteria (such as Salmonella). Less common cause. Diarrhea often contains streaks of blood.
Giardia (a parasite). More likely in child care center outbreaks.
Antibiotic Diarrhea. Many antibiotics cause mild diarrhea. This is not an allergic reaction. Keep giving the antibiotic. Call your doctor if any serious symptoms occur.
Serious Causes. Most bacterial diarrhea goes away on its own. A few can cause a severe large bowel infection (such as Shigella colitis). C. difficile is a serious cause that can occur after being on strong antibiotics.
Serious Complication: Dehydration. This is the health problem where the body has lost too much fluid. (See below for more on this).

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 (genetic).

Diarrhea Scale

Mild: 3-5 watery stools per day
Moderate: 6-9 watery stools per day
Severe: 10 or more watery stools per day
The main risk of diarrhea is dehydration.
Loose or runny stools do not cause dehydration.
Frequent, watery stools can cause dehydration.

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&percnt; 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:
Decreased urine (no urine in more than 8 hours) happens early in dehydration. So does a dark yellow color. If the urine is light straw colored, your child is not dehydrated.
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.

Diarrhea in Breastfed Babies: How to Tell

Diarrhea in a breastfed baby is sometimes hard to tell.
Normal breastfed stools are loose (often runny and seedy). Stools are yellow, but sometimes can be green. The green color is from bile. Runny stools can even be bordered by a water ring. These are all normal stools.
Breastfed babies often pass more than 6 stools per day. Until 2 months of age, they may pass a stool after each feeding. But, if stools suddenly increase in number and looseness, suspect diarrhea. If it lasts for 3 or more stools, the baby has diarrhea.
If the stools contain mucus, blood or smell bad, this points to diarrhea.
Other clues to diarrhea are poor eating, acting sick, or a fever.

Diarrhea in Formula-Fed Infants: How to Tell

Formula-fed babies pass 1 to 8 stools per day during the first week. Then it starts to slow down to 1 to 4 per day. This lasts until 2 months of age.
The stools are yellow in color and thick like peanut butter.
Suspect diarrhea if the stools suddenly increase in number or looseness. If it lasts for 3 or more stools, the baby has diarrhea.
If the stools contain mucus, blood, or smells bad, this points to diarrhea.
Other clues to diarrhea are poor eating, acting sick or a fever.
After 2 months of age, most babies pass 1 or 2 stools per day. They can also pass 1 every other day. They no longer appear to have mild diarrhea.

When to Call for Diarrhea (0-12 Months)

Call 911 Now

Not moving
You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Dehydration suspected. No urine in over 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears.
Blood in the stool
Constant stomach pain lasts more than 2 hours
Vomits 3 or more times
Age less than 1 month with 3 or more diarrhea stools in past 24 hours
Severe diarrhea. 10 or more watery stools in the last 24 hours.
Fever over 104° F (40° C)
Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: Do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
Weak immune system. Examples are sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids.
Your child looks or acts very sick
You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Moderate diarrhea. 6 or more watery stools in the last 24 hours.
Stomach pains that do not go away after each diarrhea stool
Fever lasts more than 3 days
Close contact with person or animal who has bacterial diarrhea
Contact with reptile (snake, lizard, turtle) in past 14 days
Travel to country at risk for diarrhea within past month
You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Diarrhea lasts more than 2 weeks
Loose stools are a frequent problem
You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Mild diarrhea (probably caused by a virus)

Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Bellevue
Everett
Federal Way
Seattle

Care Advice for Diarrhea

What You Should Know About Diarrhea:
- Most diarrhea is caused by a virus.
- Bacterial infections as a cause of diarrhea are not common.
- Diarrhea is the body's way of getting rid of the germs.
- The main risk of diarrhea is dehydration. Dehydration means the body has lost too much fluid.
- Most children with diarrhea don't need to see their doctor.
- Here are some tips on how to keep ahead of the fluid losses.
Mild Diarrhea:
- Most kids with diarrhea can eat a normal diet.
- Drink more fluids to prevent dehydration. Formula or breastmilk are good choices for diarrhea.
- Do not use fruit juices. Reason: They can make diarrhea worse.
- Solid foods: If on solid foods, eat more starchy foods (such as cereal, crackers, rice, pasta). Reason: They are easy to digest.
Formula-Fed Babies with Frequent, Watery Diarrhea:
- Keep giving formula but feed more often. Offer as much formula as your child will take.
- Mix formula the normal way. Reason: The formula contains plenty of water and doesn't need more.
- Solid foods: If on baby foods, continue them. Cereals are best.
Breastfed Babies with Frequent, Watery Diarrhea:
- Give your baby breastmilk more often.
- Also, give extra fluid if breast milk isn't keeping up with the fluid losses. You can use formula or ORS (Pedialyte).
- Solid foods: If on baby foods, continue them. Cereals are best.
Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), such as Pedialyte:
- ORS is a special fluid that can help your child stay hydrated. You can use Pedialyte or the store brand. It can be bought in food stores or drug stores.
- When to use: Start ORS for frequent, watery diarrhea if you think your child is getting dehydrated. That means passing less urine than normal. Increase fluids using ORS. Continue giving breastmilk, formula or regular milk.
- Amount: For babies, give 2-4 ounces (60-120 mL) of ORS after every large watery stool.
- Caution: Do not give ORS as the only fluid for more than 6 hours. Reason: Your child will need calories and cry in hunger.
Fever Medicine:
- For fevers above 102° F (39° C), give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Caution: avoid ibuprofen until 6 months or older.
- Note: Fevers less than 102° F (39° C) are important for fighting infections.
- For all fevers: Keep your child well hydrated. Give lots of cold fluids.
Diaper Rash - Prevention:
- Wash buttocks after each stool to prevent a bad diaper rash.
- To protect the skin, use an ointment (such as Vaseline or Desitin). Put it on the skin around the anus.
Return to Child Care:
- Your child can go back to child care after stools are back to normal.
- The fever should also be gone.
What to Expect:
- Viral diarrhea lasts 5-14 days.
- Severe diarrhea only occurs on the first 1 or 2 days. But, loose stools can last for 1 to 2 weeks.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Blood in the diarrhea
- Dehydration suspected (no urine in over 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth, and no tears)
- Diarrhea lasts over 2 weeks
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 02/13/2023

Last Revised: 12/30/2022

how to recognize, causes, treatment, how to stop diarrhea in a baby?

Every mother knows that babies poop frequently: a breastfed baby may have the same bowel movements as the feeding frequency. And babies often have tummy ache and colic due to the fact that the gastrointestinal tract is completely immature and is just beginning to be populated by beneficial bacteria. Therefore, it is not always clear to a young mother whether everything is fine with her baby. How do you know when something is wrong?

For a baby under three months old, the normal frequency is three to six times a day if the baby is breastfed, and about two times a day if he is bottle-fed. At the same time, the frequency of the stool can also change normally, due to the fact that the baby was nervous or the mother changed the menu. Therefore, when talking about diarrhea in a baby, they first of all take into account not how often he poops, but the volume and nature of the stool, as well as the behavior of the baby himself.

You can suspect diarrhea in a baby if he poops twice as often as usual, the stool becomes much thinner (in a breastfed baby, it is usually liquid and poorly formed), changes color, pathological impurities appear in it: a lot of mucus, blood, foam, undigested food particles, if complementary foods have already begun. The behavior of the baby also changes: he cries, presses his legs to his chest, or, conversely, stretches out to the line. The tummy may swell and growl.

If the diarrhea is caused by an infection, the child has a fever and becomes lethargic.

Causes of diarrhea in infants

The most common cause of diarrhea in infants is dysbiosis, that is, a change in the composition of the intestinal microflora. This may be due to a viral or bacterial infection, but is usually due to other causes such as:

late attachment to the breast;
artificial feeding;
products not according to age;
use of antibiotics;
food allergy;
lactose intolerance;
chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcerative colitis and others).

One way or another, all these conditions disrupt the normal balance between beneficial and harmful microbes in the intestines, and consequently, digestion and intestinal motility: too much fluid remains in the intestinal lumen, which causes diarrhea.

Treatment of diarrhea in children

Seek immediate medical attention if:

there is blood in the baby's stool;
diarrhea accompanied by vomiting;
the child has a fever;
the baby stops peeing or peeing less than four times a day;
no tears during crying, skin and mucous membranes become dry;
fontanel sinks;
the baby's skin, if folded, does not straighten out immediately.

If your baby is stable, you can try to manage the diarrhea on your own. Change diapers more often: feces irritate baby's delicate skin. If complementary foods are introduced, cancel it, leave only breast milk or formula that the baby eats constantly.

Give the child a drink. Adherents of breastfeeding argue that the baby has enough liquid contained in breast milk. This is true, but only if the child is healthy. During diarrhea, fluid loss increases several times, and it is dehydration that is the most common cause of death from intestinal infections. You can supplement it with plain boiled water, but it is better with a special solution of salts, which are also actively lost during diarrhea (Regidron, Trisol, Ringer's Solution, Humana Electrolyte). If the child is older than nine months, you can give rice water.

To restore the normal balance of microflora, you can (and should) give probiotics. The best option is a complex of bifido- and lactobacilli. Both are important for normal digestion and microbial balance. You can start taking probiotics before visiting your doctor.

Note
Probiotics are sold in pharmacies in various forms: tablets, capsules, sachets (powder in sachets). However, it should be remembered that for young children, complex microorganisms in the form of drops are most convenient for use.

If diarrhea does not stop within two to three days, be sure to contact your pediatrician.

Statistically, children experience at least one or two episodes of diarrhea every year until they are five years old. Therefore, diarrhea in itself is not yet a reason for panic: usually its cause is the immaturity of the baby's gastrointestinal tract and the disruption of the normal balance of microflora. Most of the time, you can deal with this problem on your own. But, if the child has a fever, blood appears in the feces, there are signs of dehydration: the skin and mucous membranes are dry, there is little urine, there are no tears, the fontanel sinks, consult a doctor immediately!

Diarrhea in infants - what causes it and how to treat it

- Alla Anatolyevna, please tell us what diarrhea (diarrhea) is in a baby.

- Diarrhea is a disease, a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, which is accompanied by loose stools. There is a Bristol stool scale, according to which diarrhea is considered to be liquid or semi-liquid with hard lumps. Diarrhea is not typical for healthy children.

- What are the symptoms of this problem and how can a mother tell diarrhea from normal stool?

- Diarrhea in young children is quite rare. However, according to the statistics of the World Health Organization, a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by diarrhea, is in second place among the causes of death in children of the first year of life.

Loose stools in babies are normal.
A child of the first or second month of life has a more liquid stool than an adult. If a baby has an egg-yolk-like stool and empties his intestines after each feeding, but gains weight well, eats and sleeps, is cheerful and does not cry, then this should not cause concern to the mother.

Important! Diarrhea is not just loose stools. If a child does not gain weight in the first months of life and has frequent watery, frothy or loose stools with mucus or blood, this is a reason to immediately contact your pediatrician.

- Alla Anatolyevna, what can cause diarrhea in a baby?

- For a child of the first months of life, the main cause of diarrhea is food intolerance, for a child of the second half of life and the second year of life - an intestinal infection of a viral nature. But why the baby has diarrhea, in each case, the doctor must decide.

A food allergy in an infant occurs to the food he receives, most often cow's milk protein. Causes of allergies in infants:

in an exclusively breastfed child - consumption of dairy products by a nursing mother;
in a formula-fed child - a reaction to cow's milk formula protein;
in a child on mixed feeding - more allergic to formula milk, to a lesser extent allergic to mother's milk.

Infection of the baby with intestinal infections occurs through dirty hands and toys (when the child starts to crawl, pick up objects from the floor with his hands, play outside).

Signs of an intestinal infection in a child:

refusal to eat;
decreased appetite;
fever;
vomiting.

- What does the color of the stool in a breastfed and bottle-fed baby say - what are the norm and dangerous situations?

- Bile pigments are responsible for the color of the stool, which are produced by the liver, accumulate in the gallbladder and are released during nutrition, helping digestion. They stain the baby's stool yellow, green, or olive. Therefore, if the child feels well and gains weight well, and the stool has a greenish-yellow tint, this is the norm for up to a year.

Yellow diarrhea in a baby
If a child of 4, 5 or 6 months has yellow stools and a fever, the stools become more frequent and become watery and plentiful, appetite has decreased - these are signs of an intestinal infection.
Infant has diarrhea with mucus
Mucus in the stool is a product of the goblet cells of the intestine that secrete mucus. Mucus in the stool in a child is a sign of inflammatory colitis of the colon (an indicator of a food allergy or the final stage of an intestinal infection). Mucus in the stool should not be.

- Diarrhea without fever in a child - what can this mean and what should a mother do?

- Do not ignore diarrhea without fever in the baby. This may be a manifestation of pathological conditions. Such as:

Food allergy - the cause will be determined by the doctor, who will also tell you what to do for mom.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea - in children, it occurs during the treatment of an infectious disease, which is associated with the activity of clostridium and their toxins, which is accompanied by diarrhea with blood. Such a serious condition requires a visit to the doctor.
Gluten intolerance - prolonged diarrhea in celiac disease does not respond to traditional treatment and does not resemble the course of an intestinal infection. The assumption of the presence of such a disease requires additional examination, observation, and at least a consultation with a competent pediatrician and pediatric gastroenterologist.

- Alla Anatolyevna, can diarrhea begin when teething?

- During the teething period, there may be a violation of the stool, but it is not due to the fact that the baby is teething. Teething is a normal, physiological process that occurs in all children. Diarrhea is not a norm, but a pathological disorder of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), which is accompanied by loose stools.

- Diarrhea for complementary foods - what is considered the norm, and what is a problem in such a situation?

- The first complementary foods are introduced to a healthy child in the second half of life. Starting from 6 months, the mother will gradually introduce vegetable purees, cereals, fruit purees and other complementary foods into the baby's menu.
The introduction of complementary foods in a child may be accompanied by a violation of the nature of the stool. But I wouldn't say it's diarrhea. The color of the stool may change in response to the color of the complementary foods, do not worry or worry.
It is necessary to worry and consult a doctor if atopic dermatitis worsens during the introduction of complementary foods, mucus appears in the stool, and skin rashes appear. It is important to determine the cause of the exacerbation (food allergy, intestinal infection, or simply a reaction to complementary foods). Mom needs to remove complementary foods for one or two days, observe the child, and then decide with the doctor what tactics of behavior to choose.

- What medical tests should be done for diarrhea?

- If the child is not gaining weight well, he has diarrhea, stool disorders (mucus, blood in the stool), the doctor should examine him and prescribe studies (and then evaluate their results).

What test should be taken for diarrhea in a child

Test for dysbacteriosis. But it is worth remembering that there is no such diagnosis as dysbacteriosis, and it makes no sense to treat a child from conditionally pathogenic microorganisms that are in his intestines.
Coprogram - examination of feces under a microscope. With its help, the doctor draws conclusions about the organoleptic, biochemical and bacterioscopic properties of the stool.
Intestinal culture - test for intestinal viruses (noroviruses, rotaviruses, bocaviruses) to rule out intestinal infection.
Complete blood count with leukoformula - to determine the tactics of prescribing antibiotics in severe cases (in the treatment of intestinal infection).
Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity - a comprehensive ultrasound examination to determine the causes of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in a child.

- Should my mother have any tests and when?

- Nursing mothers are often asked to prescribe an analysis for staphylococcus aureus and allergies. If the child is sick, then there is no special point in examining the mother. Staphylococci are opportunistic microbes that live on the skin and in the ducts of the mammary glands of healthy women. They can cause disease under certain conditions.

In 30% of cases, breast milk of healthy women contains staphylococci. Treatment is not required.

There are also no indications for the analysis of breast milk for sterility, because mother's milk should not be sterile. Breast milk contains a microbiota that is specific to this mother and which she will inhabit the baby's intestines.

- Consequences of diarrhea - how to deal with them?

Diarrhea causes a child's body to lose fluid and electrolytes. This leads to dehydration and loss of 10% or more of body weight. This condition can be dangerous, especially for small children and young children. Treatment is carried out in a hospital (infusion therapy or dehydration with a dropper).

In addition, hospital treatment and observation in a hospital environment require serious complications of intestinal infections. If the baby pees little or there is no urination, this can be an alarming sign of hemorrhagic syndrome in infants, which is accompanied by kidney failure.

The indirect consequences of an intestinal infection sometimes include diaper rash (the stool contains digestive enzymes that irritate the skin during diarrhea).

Important! Signs of diarrhea in infants that require an appointment with a doctor during the day:

Loose stools and no weight gain.
Blood in the stool.
Combination of diarrhea and vomiting.
Discolored white chair.

- Remedies for diarrhea for children under 1 year old - what does the doctor prescribe, and what can mom use on her own?

- How to treat diarrhea in infants or loose stools in a one-year-old child always depends on the condition of the baby and the opinion of his doctor.

Intestinal infection disappears (1-3 days), stool and appetite are restored, the temperature subsides most often against the background of symptomatic treatment without additional therapeutic measures. The doctor may recommend a diet without milk, coarse fiber, sugar. Enzymes can be prescribed (they are added to food and help digestion), enterosorbents (taken without food and absorb toxic decay products of viruses) or biologics (displace pathogenic viruses from the microbiota and colonize the intestines with good strains).

If we talk about food allergies and diarrhea in infants during breastfeeding, then a dairy-free diet can be recommended to the mother. If diarrhea in a baby occurs during artificial feeding, a special therapeutic milk mixture is selected for the baby. When a child receives nutrition that suits him within a month, he should have a clear positive trend (weight gain, a significant improvement in well-being).

— How to alleviate the condition of a child with diarrhea?

- 10 years ago, for the treatment of diarrhea with an intestinal infection, a water-tea break was prescribed - the child was not fed anything and was given only drink during the day. Now it is believed that such pauses are not needed and the little patient suffers more from hunger than from the manifestation of an intestinal infection.

It is necessary to feed a child with diarrhea in small portions and more fractionally (reduce the interval between meals and reduce the volume of one feeding). No need to give water or supplement the baby. In case of dehydration with children's diarrhea, tea, mineral water, jelly, dried fruit compote are indicated.

A child's stool is an indicator of his health. So do not rush to throw away the diaper and pay attention to its contents. If you suspect diarrhea in a baby, be sure to discuss the situation with a pediatrician, especially if you have a child in the first months of life. Diarrhea is a pathology and a common symptom of an intestinal infection or food allergy in a child under one year old. Mom's care and attention, doctor's advice and appropriate treatment are all that a child needs to cope with diarrhea, be healthy and happy.