Bottle fed babies usually have diarrhoea. This could be due to various reasons. Diarrhoea may lead to dehydration so care should be taken. Get all the information you need, only here.
Does my baby have diarrhoea
Frequent stools that are liquidy,
smelly, and may contain mucus, often accompanied by fever and/or weight
loss mark the onset of diarrhoea. Note that diarrhoea seldom occurs in
breastfed babies.
What are the causes
of diarrhoea
Diarrhoea could be caused by illness,
teething, sensitivity to a food in the diet, too much fruit juice or other
laxative-type food, gastrointestinal infection, or antibiotic medication.
How should diarrhoea
be treated
No medication should be given to
the baby without first consulting the doctor. In order to replace salts
and fluids lost through diarrhoea, ensure that the baby's fluid intake
level is high. Home-made salt and sugar solutions are effective in
combating loss of fluids and essential salts. The sooner the baby is fed
the better. The old theory of giving the bowels a rest is not accepted
any more. Starchy foods such as mashed bananas, white rice, potatoes, pasta
or dry white toast are advisable. Small amounts of protein foods like chicken
and cottage cheese are also appropriate.
Do not give sweetened drinks like
colas because they are diuretic and can in fact make the baby lose more
fluids. To prevent irritation of the baby's bottom, soiled nappies should
be changed as soon as possible.
Note that if the diarrhoea is accompanied
by vomiting, solid feeding is usually not resumed until vomiting has stopped.
Even if the stool returns to normal after two or three days, the doctor
may recommend that you resume the baby's regular diet, but limit milk and
dairy products for a day or two. If the diarrhoea lasts for more
than two weeks and the baby is having formula milk, the doctor may recommend
a change in formula.
Can diarrhoea be prevented
Yes, to a certain extent. All
people who are in contact with the baby should wash their hands carefully
after handling nappies and going to the lavatory. Care should be taken
that baby food is prepared in a sanitary manner. Fruit juices should be
diluted and their intake should be limited.
What are the possible
complications of diarrhoea
The baby could develop nappy rash.
A more serious complication is dehydration which, if severe, could lead
to coma and even death.
When should I call
the doctor
If your baby has had runny, watery
stools for 24 hours, it is advisable to consult the doctor. If your baby
is vomiting repeatedly; if you suspect that she has eaten spoiled food
or formula; if there is blood in her stools or if she is running a fever,
seek medical help.
How can I tell if my
child is dehydrated
There is cause for concern if the
baby shows signs of dehydration, i.e. decreased urine output, nappies not
as wet as usual, yellow urine; tearless and sunken eyes, a sunken fontanel
dry skin and scant saliva. Even if the baby does not exhibit all these
symptoms of dehydration, you should summon the doctor immediately.
Name:
Meena
Country: India
my baby had diarrhea all of last week but he is now better with home remedies. We tried a remedy that my mother in law gave us and it worked. Lots of yogurt ready worked well.
Name:
Seema
Country: canada
it's quite common for children especially younger babies to lift their legs high up in the air, or pull their legs up tight to their chests while soiling their diapers. my children have all done this and even though they aren't at all straining to pass a bowel movement, it's simply a natural comfortable way for baby to go to the bathroom.
Name:
Mary
Country: usa
in regards to this article, my daughter does this, too! what i have found helpful is holding her face out with my arm around her belly...or having her sit hunched over on my lap...these are great ways for babies to relieve themselves.
Name:
Suma
Country: india
my son has a standard system of bowel movement. after every feed, i burp him & let him sleep. after he wakes up he relieves himself compeltly. and yes, there is the sound accompanied most of the time. i think it is when i have been hungry for a long time & then fed him. the gas is from my breastfeed, i think. but, he doesnot cry everytime. but he growns and makes small noises. this alerts me and i change him immediatley. but, he is so impatient for his next feed, that he starts crying usually half way through his nappy change !
Name:
Mary
Country: india
my daughter does exactly what this article is about! i was so worried that she had something abnormally wrong with her...in regards to the gravity thing, i hold her face out with my arm around her tummy and that is how she relieves herself. another way i have found helpful is making her sit hunched over on my lap.
Name:
al
Country: united kingdom
my baby screams shakes turns bright red clenches his fist and crosses his ankles this happens every time he empties his bowels my doctor doesn't see this has a problem i on the other hand do!
Name:
hema
Country: India
my baby is just a month old and has been passing liquidy bowels after every nappy change.it so happens that if she has passed urine then she has passed the liquidy form also and it happens with every nappy change. i just hope it is normalas it happens for atleast 7 to 8 times in the day.
Name:
claire
Country: United Kingdom
my son is 1 and a half and has had a problem passing his stools since we weaned him on to solid food, i have taken him to the doctors numerous time and they just keep giving my lactilos and say that this should help him, but it doesnt i am really worried about him because he strains really hard and it can go on for at least half an hour he shake and his little face goes bright red he also crys. once he was straining that much that it made him fisically sick. i try to give him food that will make his stools loose but that also doesnt work i am really worried please can you help
Name:
Nikunj
Country: India
a baby's digestive system is not very well developed. so no doubt, she is going to have trouble passing stools as well.
Name:
lakshmi
Country: India
my baby goes through all that's mentioned in the article but the strainings prolongs for hours and hours. that really worries me. all day long she is straining making grunting sound and because of this she cannot sleep or feed well. i want her 2 sleep well to put on weight as she is a premature baby and was underweight when born. please suggest!
Name:
bahamar
Country: Bahamas
my baby is 3 months old and hardly ever passes. i am breastfeeding and supplementing with iron fortified formula. i usually have to give my baby a suppository every 4 days on doctor's advice. the doctor does not seem to be alarmed either. i am frantic that my baby does not pass like a regular baby.
Name:
Beena
Country: India
my baby 4 weeks old who is preterm by 4 weeks keeps straining most of the time that he is unable to sleep and makes him restless.
Name:
Johana
Country: Saint Lucia
my baby is 15 days old and makes the grunting sound when emptying her bowel, but the thing is it happens only when she is asleep the doctor says that there is nothing to worry about but the noises goes on and on and i have to stay awake most of the night worring over her.
Name:
first time mum
Country: United Kingdom
my 3-month old daughter does the same. it's heartbreaking sometimes to see her strain so hard yet me watching over her helplessly. it also made her restless and couldnt sleep well. usually happens in the early mornings. anyone knows why? i assume i must be doing something wrong since i'm breastfeeding.
Name:
Sonia
Country: U.A.E.
my 5 week old baby is not constipated and has not got diarrhea, but is struggling to have a bowel movement and is only going every 3-4 days.when she does have her bowel movement the consistency is normal and it is huge...she is taking infacol for gas, could this be effecting her bowel movements? also she is a formula fed baby using novalac ac as she seems to have collic as well! can anyone help me! please.....
Name:
natasha
Country: Australia
my baby is four months old and ever since i gave up breast feeding when she was 6 weeks old she sreams holds her breath goes bright red and stiffens her whole body until the perfectly soft stool is released a few weeks ago she had a major bowel prolapse and doctors cant seem to tell me the problem she was tested for cystic fibrosis wich was negative and she is not lactose intolorant does anyone have any ideas
Name:
Heather
Country: U.S.A.
my 1 1/2 week old has been straining for the past few days. before, she would have a bowel movement every time she fed or napped... around 10 times daily or more. and all of a sudden it stopped and she's struggling. i was told to stimulate her by lubing a qtip with petroleum jelly and putting it slightly in her anus and it worked... she immediatley filled 3 diapers! i've never seen so much poo! but that's the only way i can get her to go. i'm not doing it anymore to see how long it will take her to go herself. it just worries me that she'll get so backed up if i don't help her out! :(
Name:
Heather
Country: U.S.A.
my 1 1/2 week old has been straining for the past few days. before, she would have a bowel movement every time she fed or napped... around 10 times daily or more. and all of a sudden it stopped and she's struggling. i was told to stimulate her by lubing a qtip with petroleum jelly and putting it slightly in her anus and it worked... she immediatley filled 3 diapers! i've never seen so much poo! but that's the only way i can get her to go. i'm not doing it anymore to see how long it will take her to go herself. it just worries me that she'll get so backed up if i don't help her out! :(
Name:
nora shaw
Country: usa
just about every bowel movement whether its soft or hard the babies cry .
Name:
hema
Country: india
my baby passes stool after every feed and cries during nappy change
Name:
Jagruti
Country: india
my baby had suffered from diarrhoea when he began teething. i was really worried, but it usually happens when the baby begins teething. its important to consult the doctor immediately.
