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Baby poop food not digested


Baby poo: a visual guide (photos)

by Polly Logan-Banks |

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    What should baby poo look like?

    Most new parents find baby poo quite surprising! It has so many shades and consistencies that even experienced parents may not have seen them all. This photo guide to baby poo will give you a good idea of what's normal and what's not as your newborn grows, drinks breastmilk or formula and starts eating solids.

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    Newborn poo: meconium

    Expect to find greenish-black, tarry, sticky stools in your newborn's nappy for the first few days. This is known as meconium (mec for short), and is made of amniotic fluid, mucus, skin cells and other substances your baby swallowed in the womb. It doesn't really smell, so you may not realise straight away when it's time for a nappy change.

    When your baby is two to four days old, his stools will become less sticky and lighter in colour - sort of an army green. This transitional stool is a sign that he's started digesting breastmilk or formula.

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    Healthy breastfed poo

    If your baby is exclusively breastfed, his stools will become yellow or slightly green, and have a mushy or creamy consistency. Breastfed poo can look like mustard-coloured cottage cheese, and may be dotted with little seed-like flecks. It often smells surprisingly sweet.

    There are many shades of normal when it comes to breastfed poo. Your baby may occasionally do a poo that seems a bit greener than usual. As long as he seems well in himself, there's no need to worry.

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    Healthy formula-fed poo

    Formula-fed babies have less runny stools that are often a similar colour and texture to peanut butter. They can vary from tan-brown or yellow-brown, to green-brown.

    Formula-fed poo also smells a bit more like adult poo than breastfed poo does.

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    Dark green or black poo

    If you give your baby an iron supplement, his stools may turn dark green or almost black. This doesn't happen often, but it's a completely normal variation that would make Popeye proud.

    If your baby's more than a few days old, his poo looks blackish, and he's not taking an iron supplement, see your GP as soon as possible. In rare cases, this can be a sign of bleeding in your baby's digestive system. It's not likely to happen to your baby, but you should get him checked out, just in case.

    If there are black specks in your breastfed baby's poo, this could be a sign that he's swallowing blood from cracked and bleeding nipples. The blood turns black when your baby digests it.

    It's always a good idea to get any blood in your baby's poo checked out by your GP, but in most cases, black specks are unlikely to be anything to worry about.

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    Solid-food poo

    Once your baby's eating solid foods, you'll quickly notice a change in his poos, especially if he's breastfed.

    Solid-food stools tend to be brown or dark brown and thicker than peanut butter but still mushy. They're also smellier.

    You may notice that your baby's poo takes on the colour of the food you give him. For example, if you feed him carrots, his next poo may be orange. And a beetroot poo can look quite alarming!

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    Poo with partially digested food

    Occasionally, your baby's poo will have identifiable chunks of food in it, particularly if you're doing baby-led weaning.

    Not to worry! Your baby's still learning to chew, and his digestive system is still developing, so it's normal for some food to pass through his system without being fully digested.

    If your baby’s poo consistently has undigested food in it, it's worth talking to your GP. She'll check to make sure your baby's intestines are working properly, and he's getting all the nutrients he needs.

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    Diarrhoea

    It's not uncommon for healthy babies to do the occasional explosive or runny poo. But if your baby does several runny poos with no lumps in them, he could have diarrhoea. It can be yellow, green, or brown, and may seep or explode out of the nappy.

    Diarrhoea can be a sign of an infection or allergy, and if it lasts for a while without being treated, can lead to dehydration. If your baby has watery stools for more than a day or two, see your GP. Make an appointment sooner if he's showing signs of dehydration - such as fewer wet nappies or a sunken fontanelle – or has any other symptoms that concern you.

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    Constipation

    If your baby's stool is hard and looks like little pebbles, it’s likely that he’s constipated. Your baby may be visibly uncomfortable when he's pooing and the poo may even be tinged with blood from irritating his bottom on the way out.

    Constipation often happens in babies who are being introduced to solid foods, and it's usually nothing to worry about. But in some cases, constipation can be a sign of dehydration, a food allergy, or a medical condition. If you think your baby is constipated, it's worth having a chat with your health visitor, just in case.

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    Poo with mucus

    Does your baby's nappy look like it's been slimed? Greenish poo streaked with shiny, glistening strings means there's mucus in it. This sometimes happens when a baby is especially drooly, since mucus in saliva often remains undigested. It can also happen when he has a cold, as he'll naturally produce more mucus.

    However, mucus in poo can also be a sign of an infection or allergy. If it happens for several days, or your baby has any other symptoms, see your GP to rule out any problems.

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    Bloody poo: bright red blood

    If you have a baby girl, you may notice a few specks of blood in her nappy a few days after the birth. This is known as a false period. It happens because of the surge in hormones your body experiences in pregnancy, which in turn stimulate your baby’s womb to produce a period. It's perfectly normal, and no cause for concern.

    In boys, and girls after the first few days, bright red blood can show up in baby stools for a few different reasons. For example, constipation or nappy rash can irritate your baby's bottom and make it bleed. Or your baby may swallow a little blood if you breastfeed him with cracked nipples.

    Although blood in your baby's nappy doesn't necessarily mean he's ill, it's always best to get it checked out, just to be on the safe side. It can sometimes be a sign of infection, allergies, or a problem with your baby's digestive system. So if you notice a bloody nappy, make an appointment with your GP, just in case.

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    The end

    More advice and tips:

    • Find out if it's normal for your baby to poo after every feed.
    • Learn more about how starting solids can affect your baby's poo.
    • Get tips to make nappy changes easier.

    Thanks very much to the BabyCenter US parents (and their babies!) who contributed to this photo gallery.

Polly Logan-Banks

Polly Logan-Banks is an experienced editor with a keen interest in producing evidence-based content. Polly is passionate about ensuring that every child gets the best start in life.

Are Chunks of Food in Baby Poop Normal? (Bananas, Carrots, and More)

A baby’s poop can tell you a lot about their development and overall health but if you happen to notice some chunks of food in your baby’s poop, is there a problem?

It is completely normal to find chunks of food in your baby’s poop if she is less than one year old because her digestive system has not fully matured and she likely does not chew her food into small enough pieces before swallowing. As your baby grows and becomes more comfortable eating solid foods her poop should return to normal consistency.

Keep reading to learn why some food might be more difficult for your baby to digest, and when to check in with a doctor if you’re worried about your little one’s digestive system.

Table of Contents

Is it normal to have chunks of food in baby poop?

Before having a baby, you probably steered well clear of poop. But now you know that a baby’s full diaper can actually tell you a lot about your little one’s overall health.

It’s pretty normal for your baby’s poop to contain small chunks of food. Especially if your baby has just started on solids or finger-foods, it can take a while for their digestive system to adjust. Pay attention to the factors we list below and if you continue to notice undigested food, a pediatrician can screen your baby for potential digestive issues. 

Even though it might be startling to open your baby’s diaper and see chunks of food, rest assured that it’s a pretty normal experience!

As your baby hits the 6-month mark and starts eating solid foods, it’s important to remember that he or she is still learning how to eat.  Eating is a complicated bodily process, and a baby’s digestive system has a lot to learn over the first year or so of their life. Even if your kiddo’s digestive tract is completely matured, they’re probably still missing out on some crucial, food-eating hardware: teeth.

Don’t forget that there are many variables when it comes to your baby’s digestion of solid foods. Here are the most important factors:

  • Baby’s age and teething
  • Type of food
  • Preparation of food
  • Breastfed vs formula-fed

Babies don’t usually have many teeth when they start on solids.

Teeth are an important part of the digestive process for babies because they break the food down into particles small enough to be digested easily. Without this initial step, it’s more likely that chunks of food will pass through your little one’s digestive system and end up in their diaper. As your child’s teeth continue to come in and they become more efficient and practiced at chewing their food, you’ll probably notice fewer chunks of food in their poop.

What are the chunks in baby poop?

If you do notice strange chunks in your baby’s poop, it’s most likely undigested food particles. Some foods are especially high in fiber, which makes it hard for the body to digest.

Common baby foods that are high in fiber can include: 

  • Corn
  • Beans
  • Grains (especially whole grains)
  • Seeds (sunflower, sesame, etc.)
  • Peas
  • Vegetable or fruit skins (tomatoes, grapes, etc. )

Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet, so even if you notice some chunks in your baby’s food, you’ll want to continue to feed them high-fiber foods. As your little one’s digestive system continues to mature, you should notice fewer chunky poops.

Is undigested food in baby poop normal?

It’s pretty normal to see undigested food in your baby’s poop.

Babies don’t have a full set of teeth when they first begin eating solids. Chewing food into smaller pieces makes it easier for the digestive enzymes to break down the remaining food particles. As your baby’s teeth come in and they learn to chew more thoroughly, more of their food will be completely digested. 

Another important factor to consider is how often your baby poops.

The more time food has to sit in the digestive tract, the more digestive enzymes are able to break down the food particles. Babies poop seemingly all the time, which means that food doesn’t sit in their colon for very long. Because of the quick turnaround time, you’re more likely to see chunks of food in a baby’s poop.

Adults have a much longer turnaround time between bowel movements, so our stools are more likely to be completely digested.

Undigested milk in baby poop

Before your baby starts on solids, you might already be seeing undigested food in their diapers, especially if your baby is breastfed.

Breastfed babies generally have mustard-yellow poops that are often described as “seedy.” This “seedy” texture is actually caused by little bits of undigested milk fat, which is completely normal.  If you’re seeing big white chunks in your baby’s poop, though, it’s probably not milk.

The whiteish color can actually be caused by a potentially dangerous liver problem, so if it continues for several consecutive bowel movements, you’ll want to check in with your child’s pediatrician ASAP!

Undigested formula in baby poop

If your baby is formula-fed, their poop color and texture can vary widely without any cause for concern. Sometimes, formula-fed diapers can even end up looking just as “seedy” as those produced by breastmilk.

If you’re seeing small bits of undigested formula in your baby’s diaper, it’s not a problem. It just means that your baby isn’t completely digesting all the formula they’re fed, and the extra is coming out the other side.

Of course, if your baby isn’t gaining the right amount of weight or seems lethargic, check in with a pediatrician.

Undigested corn in baby poop

Corn is one of the most common culprits for undigested food found in poop.

Even adult bodies can have a difficult time digesting corn completely! Corn has an outer shell made of cellulose, which your body can’t actually digest. The human body relies on specific enzymes to metabolize the chemical compounds present in food, and without the right enzymes, there are some chemicals that your body simply can’t process.

Even though you and your baby will never be able to digest the cellulose in the outer shell of corn kernels, that doesn’t mean that corn is a bad thing to eat. Your body can digest the food components inside the corn kernel, and those components include vitamins and minerals that help fuel your body. If you see what look like whole kernels of corn in your baby’s diaper, it’s probably just the outer shell of the corn that’s impossible to digest.

Your baby still got plenty of nutritional content from the inside of the corn, and the cellulose passed straight through their digestive system and out the other end.

Undigested banana in baby poop

Even though bananas are easy to digest, you might still find chunks of banana in your little one’s diaper.

The most likely culprit for big chunks is that stubborn lack of teeth that makes it extra tricky for your baby to get foods down to a manageable size. Bananas are dense and chock-full of good stuff, which means that even a small piece takes some time to digest completely.

Bananas can also cause small black ‘threads’ to show up in your baby’s poop. These threads are just the center of the banana, and are trickier for the body to process.

Undigested raisins in baby poop

Raisins contain a lot of fiber, which means they’re hard for the body to digest.

It’s not unusual for entire raisins to make their way through a baby’s digestive tract and end up completely unscathed in their diaper. Luckily, as your little one’s digestive system matures and slows down a bit, the diaper full of raisins should disappear.

Undigested grapes in baby poop

If you notice bits of undigested grapes in your baby’s diaper, it’s probably the grape skins.

Grape skins are extremely fibrous, which makes them particularly difficult for the body to digest. Also, breaking up grape skins without a full set of teeth is pretty much impossible. Doctors recommend waiting until your baby is around 10 months old before giving them grapes.

When you do start, make sure you thinly slice and lightly mash the grapes before giving them to your child. Whole, or even halved grapes, can be a major choking hazard.

Undigested blueberries in baby poop

Blueberries are very similarly structured to grapes, which means you might end up seeing some blueberry skins in your little one’s diaper.

If your baby swallows a whole blueberry, they might even poop out the entire blueberry, because their digestive system couldn’t get through the blueberry skin in order to digest the center parts. Because whole blueberries can be a choking hazard, cut them into small slices before giving them to your baby.

Slicing the berries will also make them easier to digest!

When to worry about food chunks in baby poop

Even though it can be startling to see chunks of food in your baby’s poop, it’s a pretty normal occurrence. There are, however, some warning signs associated with chunky poops that would warrant a visit with the pediatrician. Call them right away if:

  • Diarrhea – Your child has diarrhea, you’ll likely see chunks of food in their diaper. Diarrhea is most often caused by a stomach bug, but if it doesn’t resolve within 24 hours, contact a doctor.
  • Persistency – There are chunks of food in every single one of your baby’s diapers, it might be a sign of a bigger digestive problem.
  • Weight Loss – Your little one is losing weight, or not gaining as much as they should, it might mean they aren’t getting the nutrients they need because of a digestive problem.
  • Blood – There is blood in your child’s poop or their poop looks black, seek medical attention.

Any of the symptoms mentioned above should be discussed at your child’s next doctor’s appointment.  If your baby seems lethargic, has bloody poop, or has diarrhea for more than 24 hours, seek medical attention immediately.

What to do if the newborn does not digest food

— Valeria Maksimovna, please tell us about the peculiarities of the digestion of newborns: is it different from the digestion of older children?

- The main food of an infant is milk or milk formula, therefore, his digestion is not the same as in older children.

Newborn and infant digestion

  1. The intestine has a unique composition of microflora, which is adapted to the milk type of nutrition. nine0012
  2. The digestion of food resembles the process of fermentation.
  3. Due to the immaturity of the intestine, peristaltic activity may be reduced or increased.
  4. Digestive enzyme production or activity may be reduced.
  5. The intestine is sensitive to various irritants, especially allergens.

Symptoms if the baby does not digest breast milk or formula

— Why can't the baby digest breast milk or formula? Can congenital pathologies be the cause? nine0004

— There are many reasons why a child does not digest food.

  • Genetic diseases - phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, galactosemia and others. Fortunately, they are very rare.
  • Features of digestion. For example, with a low activity of the lactase enzyme, there is no breakdown of lactose disaccharide, which in turn has pronounced clinical symptoms.
  • Food allergy. nine0004 Poor digestibility of breast milk or formula may occur due to an allergy to cow's milk proteins. It is difficult for a child to digest proteins for which his body is not yet adapted. They can affect intestinal motility, slowing down or accelerating it, leading to constipation and frequent regurgitation, gas formation.
  • Physiological immaturity of the digestive system in infants is not always equal to a decrease in motor function. Sometimes it can be increased, leading to reflux. nine0012
  • Dysbacteriosis often accompanies digestive problems in children.
  • Improper introduction of complementary foods, ignoring age restrictions on foods are among the main reasons why a baby does not digest food.

If a child is steadily gaining weight, is not restless, and his physical and mental development is in accordance with the norms, then everything is in order, nutrition is absorbed, there are no deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and related diseases. nine0005

— Is indigestion more common in formula-fed or breast-fed babies?

- In my experience, problems are more often observed with artificial feeding, especially when formula is introduced from the first days of life and the child does not know at all what mother's milk is. In particular, this is typical for premature babies: not only are their digestive organs immature and not ready for nutrition, they are also given a foreign protein. Therefore, artificial people have a little more problems with digestion. nine0005

— Lactose intolerance and cow's milk protein allergy have similar symptoms. Is it possible to distinguish one state from another?

— Allergy to cow's milk proteins often masquerades as lactase deficiency. With allergies, inflammation of the intestinal wall occurs, which in turn leads to a decrease in the production of the enzyme and to the same clinical picture as with lactase deficiency. However, they are two different diseases. And in order to understand what exactly the baby has, you need to undergo a laboratory examination:

— What should I do if my child is unable to digest food?

— In case of food intolerance, you should immediately consult a doctor and take measures: the growth and development of the baby directly depends on this, and the foundation of health is laid precisely at a young age.

The entire body suffers from dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract. The child begins to lag behind in mass-growth gains and neurologically, his emotional reactions may be inhibited. Concomitant diseases of organs and systems begin to develop: alimentary anemia (reduced oxygen consumption), hypoxic conditions, colds and infections, changes in the intestinal microflora, deficiency of macro- and microelements, especially vitamins. nine0005

— What tests should be done to check the child's health?

- A huge amount of research can confirm or refute the problems associated with the digestibility of food. All laboratory tests are prescribed by the doctor, focusing on the clinical picture. You need to know when to stop and not take the baby to the laboratory for any reason, as frequent blood donation can cause anemia.

— How can you help a child who is not digesting well?

— It is necessary to understand the reason why food cannot be digested normally, and act on it.

— Valeria Maksimovna, are preparations containing digestive enzymes addictive, or after their withdrawal the child will be able to digest food on his own?

- Decreased enzyme production and activity are usually transient. Unlike hormonal drugs, enzymes do not have negative feedback (when the less substance, the more it is produced, and with an excess, production is inhibited). With enzymes, everything is different: they are released in such a quantity that is necessary for the digestion of food. The intake of the enzyme from outside does not reduce its production. As soon as the child becomes able to provide himself with the necessary amount of enzymes, the dose of the drug is gradually reduced until it is completely canceled. nine0005

— How to feed the baby so that food is absorbed better? What is good for digestion?

- The main prevention is to observe the diet and amount of food, monitor the child's condition and try to notice any changes (refuses to breastfeed, became unnecessarily restless, bloating appeared). But you don't have to be hyper-vigilant.

  • When breastfeeding during the period of established lactation, it is important for the mother to monitor the reaction of the child to the introduction of certain foods into her diet and, if incomprehensible symptoms appear, consult a doctor. nine0012
  • On artificial feeding, the mixture should be selected according to age, individual characteristics. If lactase deficiency or an allergy to cow's milk proteins is proven, there is regurgitation, then a therapeutic mixture is introduced. What to feed the baby, the doctor determines.

— Is it true that goat milk formulas, such as MAMACO ® Premium, are less likely to cause digestion problems and, on the contrary, help children's digestion?

— Goat milk proteins are easier to digest and less allergenic, so sometimes they can even be suitable for children allergic to cow's milk proteins. In some cases, this is a good substitute for tasteless medicinal mixtures that children do not eat well.

MAMAKO ® Premium mix provides the child with everything necessary for age and contains components that improve the digestion of the newborn:

  • pro- and prebiotics that restore the balance of microflora, which has a positive effect on digestion; nine0012
  • L-carnitine, which improves metabolism, promotes the absorption of fat and protein components of the mixture.

If the child is restless and does not behave as usual, has bloating, spitting up or constipation, does not grow well, does not gain or lose weight, you should always see a doctor. The baby may have an intolerance to the components of breast milk (extremely rare), formula or complementary foods. The causes of nutritional problems are varied, and it is not necessary to self-diagnose. Diagnosis and treatment should be carried out by a doctor. nine0005

* Breast milk is the best food for babies. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a child's life and continued breastfeeding after complementary foods are introduced until the age of 2 years. Before introducing new products into the baby's diet, you should consult with a specialist. The material is for informational purposes and cannot replace the advice of a healthcare professional. For feeding children from birth. The product is certified.

types of disorders, types of diseases of the digestive system in babies and their prevention

The first weeks of a baby's life are a lot of stress for his digestive system. While the baby was in the womb, all the nutrients came through the placenta. But almost immediately after birth, the sterile intestines begin to colonize microorganisms, both beneficial and harmful.

And such rapid changes cannot but affect the child's condition. Colic, bloating, constipation are frequent companions of the adaptation of the digestive system of the newborn to new conditions. Why digestive disorders occur and how to overcome them, we will tell in the article. nine0005

The digestive system of young children is imperfect. It will be a long time before the digestive organs in children begin to function in the same way as in adults. For example, in infants, the cardiac sphincter (the place where the short esophagus passes into the stomach) is poorly developed, therefore, like a bad damper, it allows the backflow of contents from the stomach. This is how regurgitation occurs - a frequent occurrence in the life of a baby [1]. The capacity of the stomach in children is small. On the first day of life - no more than 10 ml. With the expansion of the diet, this figure grows, and after a year the capacity is already about 300 ml. The muscular membrane of the stomach is poorly developed, so a small volume is the only barrier to overeating [2]. nine0005

While the baby is breastfeeding, gastric juice is not very active. Its components do not differ from the "adult" composition, but are contained in a minimal amount: pepsin for the breakdown of proteins, lipase for fats, chymosin for curdling milk. Digestion in children is geared towards good assimilation of mother's milk and adapted mixtures: proteins and fats of such nutrition are partially absorbed unsplit, requiring minimal activity of digestive juices. So, the digestion of milk takes up to two to three hours, mixtures - up to two to four hours [3]. nine0005

Starting from the oral cavity and ending with the intestinal wall, the mucous membranes of the digestive organs have a common feature - they are thin and delicate. The fragile structure makes the mucous membranes easily permeable to enterococci, E. coli and other harmful microbes. In addition, the child's stomach is characterized by a low concentration of hydrochloric acid, an important antibacterial factor in the digestive juice. Therefore, the child's body is so vulnerable to an environment full of foreign microorganisms [4].

Possible causes of digestive disorders in children

Getting into the world of adults, the child switches to the lactotrophic type of nutrition, that is, milk. Together with mother's milk, beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli enter the intestines. But sometimes this is not enough to strengthen the digestion of children, and then various problems arise that can be limited to temporary disorders, or can develop into diseases.

Temporary disorders

Almost every mother observes such unpleasant phenomena in her baby as colic, anxiety, frequent spitting up, vomiting and bloating. All these are symptoms of transient (temporary) dysbiosis [5]. It should be noted that this condition is not a pathology. Dysbiosis occurs in almost every baby (at 90% of cases) even in compliance with all the rules of care - this is due to the imperfection of the immune system and digestive organs. However, if no measures are taken, dysbiosis can be prolonged and cause diseases due to the addition of a secondary infection [6].

Note

Dysbiosis is a violation of the bacterial composition of the microflora: the number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria decreases, and the number of pathogens increases.

The cause of dysbiosis can be:

  • Improper nutrition, untimely introduction of complementary foods . The baby's intestines are not able to digest "adult" food. The reason is a small amount of enzymes, including pepsin. In addition, the expansion of the diet in children under five months leads to the premature production of gastrin and histamine by the cells of the stomach. The digestive system goes into a state of hypersensitivity. Feeding a child with food that he is not ready for due to the failure of digestive juices can lead to impaired peristalsis, diarrhea, constipation and disorders of the composition of the bacterial flora. nine0012
  • Artificial feeding. Adapted mixtures, although they are as close as possible in composition to mother's milk, are still not an exact copy of it and do not contain the required amount of beneficial bacteria.
  • Violation of hygiene standards. As we have already said, microbes easily penetrate through the delicate mucous membranes, so the care of the baby must be treated as responsibly as possible. Dirty hands and bottles can be sources of infection. Even maternal breasts require careful handling before and after feeding. nine0012
  • Taking antibacterial agents. Antibiotics destroy not only pathogenic bacteria, but also beneficial ones. Therefore, after the use of antibacterial agents, the ratio of microorganisms in the digestive system often changes. Taking such serious drugs should justify the potential risk to the health of the baby.
  • Acute infectious diseases. Children of the first years of life often get sick due to the fact that they do not have immunity to many microorganisms (adenoviruses, RS viruses, pneumococci), and immunoglobulins - protective factors - have low activity. As a result, harmful microbes easily enter the body. There is an imbalance not only at the site of penetration, but also in the microflora of the baby's digestive organs. nine0012

Diseases of the digestive system in infants

Common indigestion in children - thrush . It is caused by yeast fungus candida, so the disease has another name - candidiasis. Fungi normally exist in the body of babies in a small amount, but in conditions of an imbalance in the microflora, Candida begins to multiply actively. Fungi can be transmitted through dirty hands and bottles, or even in the prenatal period if the mother is sick with thrush. The main symptom is "curdled" raids on the mucous cheeks, tongue, gums and palate: such changes in the oral cavity can be detected already on the 5-14th day of life. With thrush, babies cry during feeding, behave restlessly and often spit up. Without treatment, candidiasis can spread beyond the oral cavity: into the respiratory system, stomach and intestines of the child [7]. nine0005

Another common illness in childhood is gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) . The disease is manifested by the periodic reflux of food from the stomach back into the esophagus. Children feel a burning sensation in the chest and pain, cry and refuse food. Often there are eructations and regurgitation of sour contents. GERD is a dangerous complication of the respiratory system up to the development of pneumonia [8]. Against the background of dysbiosis, the reverse reflux of food creates conditions for infection of the upper parts of the digestive organs of babies by pathogenic microorganisms. nine0005

Prevention

The best treatment for any disease is prevention. Simple rules will help maintain and strengthen the health of the child's digestive system. The most important thing is hygiene: everything that the child comes into contact with must be processed. Do not use raw water for drinking and cooking - this is a potential source of infection. It is better to wash plates, cups and spoons immediately after use, and boil bottles and nipples - many microorganisms cannot withstand high temperatures. Hands must be washed thoroughly and often: during the day, many bacteria settle on them, to which the child has no immunity. Before feeding, the mother needs to wash her breasts and express the first drops - they may contain germs[9].

Rational nutrition according to age helps to absorb useful substances to the maximum extent. Food, for which the child's gastric juices are not active enough, creates unfavorable conditions for digestion: it stays longer in the body, causes disturbances in motor skills and microflora, and these are prerequisites for diseases of the digestive system. It is important to prevent underfeeding and overfeeding the child - nutrition must be adequate. This golden mean is not always easy to follow, but you need to remember what threatens the baby with overeating and the other extreme - malnutrition. Excess food overwhelms a small stomach that is not ready for this, digestive juices cannot cope with an abundance of food, dyspepsia and dysbiosis occur. Underfeeding is fraught with the fact that the body will not have enough nutrients for normal development[10]. nine0005

Babies should always be dressed appropriately for the weather, avoid contact with the sick and hypothermia. Be sure to vaccinate according to the vaccination calendar: this reduces the likelihood of developing infectious diseases.

Treatment with antibacterial drugs is possible only in consultation with the doctor. A “lifeline” that reduces the likelihood of developing dysbiosis while taking antibiotics is probiotics [11]. Means containing live bifidobacteria and lactobacilli restore the microflora even in conditions of an already formed disorder. This reduces the likelihood of transition from temporary disorders to chronic diseases. To improve digestion, children are shown early administration of probiotics - literally from the first day of life. Taking such funds not only helps to populate the intestines of the baby with beneficial microorganisms, but also strengthens the immune system, accelerates the adaptation processes of the child's body. nine0005

At the slightest signs of diseases of the digestive system in children, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician.

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