Many parents after the birth of a child begin to worry about a number of issues regarding the health of the baby. The most common cause for concern are problems in the gastrointestinal tract. Many mothers are afraid of loose stools in a newborn. But this is not always a symptom of a disease or health problem. The children's body is just beginning to adapt to the new environment, and changes in the stool are its reaction to the arrival of new substances. But it is important to understand which bowel movements in the baby are the norm, and which are the reason for going to the doctor.
Normal stool in a baby while breastfeeding
Many mothers wonder why the newborn has loose stools. The rate of consistency and color of feces in an infant determines the method of feeding. The stool of a breast-fed baby will differ from the feces of children who are on artificial feeding. Fluid stool in a newborn during breastfeeding is usually the norm. As the intestines are colonized with beneficial microflora, texture and color may change. It also affects the diet of mom. For example, if mom dined with fruits and vegetables, the color may turn greenish.
The consistency can also vary - from liquid to porridge. Sometimes you can notice a slightly foamy mass. If in a loose stool in a newborn during breastfeeding there are undigested particles of milk (similar to cottage cheese), you should not be afraid. It's just that the baby does not have enough enzymes to completely digest milk at this age.
The most important factor that allows you to judge the quality of the child's chair is the behavior of the child. If the baby eats well, sleeps, does not act up, and does not lose weight, then there is no reason for concern. If the baby’s behavior has changed, the stool has a different consistency, with a smell, and its frequency has increased - this is an occasion in the very near future to see a doctor.
Causes of loose stool in a newborn baby
Even when the baby is calm and eats well, mom needs to monitor the status of his bowel movements. If the newborn has loose stools, it is important to know the possible reasons, so that if necessary, get to the doctor as soon as possible to find out the reasons and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
- Mom’s diet has changed. When breastfeeding, both the consistency and the color of the baby's feces depend on the diet of the mother. From eating certain foods, a child may have colic and bloating. Dried apricots, prunes, beets, grapes, cherries, cabbage, etc. are products that can affect the feces of a baby. If the newborn has yellow stools, the cause may be the presence in the diet of fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Liquid bowel movements occur in children who have found enzyme deficiency. In most cases, it is lactase. It can also be called lactose intolerance. Lactase is an enzyme that processes milk sugar. In most children, it is produced in insufficient quantities. But in this case, nature has provided the ideal composition of mother's milk. First, the child eats the so-called "front" milk - it contains lactose, but with the "back" milk, the baby receives lactase. Lactase deficiency is congenital and acquired. In the latter case, it appears due to improper feeding, when the child eats only the "front" milk. This condition can be corrected by adjusting the process. With congenital insufficiency, the child experiences intolerance to dairy products. In this case, if the adjustment with the administered lactase preparations did not help, a lactose-free mixture is prescribed. Symptoms will include gas, bloating, regurgitation, constipation or diarrhea, poor weight gain and yellow feces with a sour smell and foam in primary insufficiency, and in the secondary one can observe greenish mucous stools.
- Intestinal dysbiosis. This is a common diagnosis in newborns. As a rule, by 6 months the chair returns to normal. If this does not happen, then drugs are prescribed, like probiotics and prebiotics, which saturate the microflora with useful microorganisms. With dysbiosis, feces turn green.
- In a newborn, liquid yellow stools may appear in connection with the introduction of a certain complementary foods. For example, changes can cause raw fruit and vegetable juices.
- When teething, some mothers notice a change in stool in the child to a more liquid one. Doctors attribute this to a decrease in immunity during this period and the easy penetration of infection into the intestines due to dirty hands and toys with which the baby scratches the gums.
- A change in stool can be an allergic reaction to any product that my mother ate. In this case, it is necessary to exclude it from the diet.
- Taking antibiotics.
- Liquid stools can cause diseases such as bronchitis and otitis media.
The exact cause and diagnosis can only be called by the attending physician. Therefore, when worrying about the health of the baby, it is recommended to call an ambulance.
Pathological loose stool
As a rule, a newborn baby pooping about 8-10 times a day. If the baby is about 2 months old, the number of bowel movements is reduced to 5-6. Half-year-old children defecate 1-3 times a day. If you notice that the child poaches much more often, and the stool is different from usual, this is an occasion to urgently consult a doctor and pass certain tests. If other symptoms are added to this, then it is worth talking about the presence of intestinal infection or food poisoning.
Symptoms of intestinal infection in a newborn
Intestinal infection is not uncommon for a newborn child, because for these babies the protective function of the intestine does not yet fully work. This condition is dangerous due to diarrhea and, as a result, dehydration.
There are certain signs that notice that you need to immediately call an ambulance:
- Frequent loose stools in a newborn.
- Feces comes out sharply, like a "fountain."
- Mucus and / or streaks of blood are present in the stool.
- Feces are green and may be foamy.
- An unpleasant putrefactive smell is felt.
- Stomach bumping.
- Vomiting
- Temperature rise.
Signs of dehydration
- Weakness.
- Lethargy.
- Moodiness.
- Faint scream.
- Dry lips.
- The amount of urine decreases, and it becomes darker.
- Fallen fontanel.
This condition is especially dangerous for newborns. Before the ambulance arrives, at the first symptoms of dehydration, doctors recommend giving the baby a dose of rehydradant (for example, Pedilight, Hydrovit, Naturalai). But you need to remember that such solutions must be diluted and taken strictly according to the instructions. It is recommended to give them between feedings every 5-10 minutes for 1-2 teaspoon.
Diagnostic methods for loose stool in a child
The exact cause of diarrhea can only be called by a doctor by conducting appropriate tests. Basically, blood tests, urine tests, a study for dysbiosis, bacterial stool culture are prescribed. Breast milk testing is sometimes required.
A blood test can tell about the presence of intestinal infection.
Lactase deficiency is checked by special analyzes.
After identifying the causes of loose stool, treatment appropriate for the particular case is prescribed.
Treatment of pathological loose stool in infants
The most dangerous for diarrhea in newborns is dehydration. The more frequent and loose stools, the faster it comes. At the first sign you need to call an ambulance. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Before the arrival of an ambulance, you need to put it on your chest as often as possible. Also, a weak broth of chamomile or linden (if there is no allergy to these herbs), or Smecta in small quantities, according to the weight and age of the baby, can be a safe tool for infants. Sometimes it is advisable to use sorbents that will help remove toxins from the body.
If there is a temperature, you need to give an antipyretic agent in the form of a syrup, choosing the right dosage (for example, "Nurofen" or "Paracetamol").
In the event that the baby refuses to drink, and the symptoms of dehydration intensify, you will have to drink it by force, for example, you can use a syringe without a needle and pour liquid in small portions on the cheek.
Infants may be prescribed bacteria (Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin, Linex, etc.).
It is best to consult with a pediatrician in advance about first aid measures for diarrhea to prevent dehydration before the doctor arrives.
If dehydration still occurs, the child is taken to a hospital where appropriate therapy is carried out aimed at restoring the body and fighting the infection.
Mom's diet for breastfeeding
If the mother noticed loose stools in a newborn baby, in no case should breastfeeding be introduced, because breast milk contains a large number of antibodies that help the baby’s body fight pathogenic microorganisms. But the mother should adjust her diet to exclude allergic reactions, bloating and pathological loose stools in the baby.
What you want to exclude from the diet of mom
At the first deviations:
- All fatty, spicy, smoked foods should be removed.
- It is necessary to try to identify the allergen product and exclude it from the mother’s diet, if there is an assumption of an allergic reaction.
- Limit the consumption of fruits and vegetables that contain a large amount of fiber and water - zucchini, cucumbers, pears, apples, watermelon, beets.
- Limit foods that can cause bloating, in addition to loose stools, such as cabbage, legumes.
- Reduce or eliminate cow's milk from the diet.
- Remove foods that cause fermentation (including pastry).
Recommended Diet Foods
Nursing mom can:
- Low-fat meat (in the absence of allergies).
- Low-fat fish.
- Baked apples.
- Rice porridge or vermicelli on the water.
- Buckwheat
To summarize, we can distinguish the basic rules in the nutrition of a nursing mother:
- You can not eat foods that cause a thinning of the stool or bloating in the child and in the mother herself.
- Exclude allergen products.
Conclusion
Fluid stool in a newborn baby is an absolutely normal phenomenon that should not scare parents. The most important thing is to monitor the condition of the baby and control changes in the consistency, frequency and smell of children's feces. Pay attention to the behavior and well-being of the child.
If the stool of a newborn with breastfeeding is yellow and liquid, but without mucus and blood streaks, you should not worry. The norm is considered more orange color.
With any changes, it is recommended to call a doctor just in case, in order to prevent dehydration of the body.
Be sure to rinse the toys, do not allow to take a dirty nipple, lick dirty hands in order to prevent infection.