Baby poop is a mystery. Its colors and consistency are often cause for alarm in first-time parents. Let’s be real, after all: Opening your newborn or infant’s diaper and seeing a bright green is definitely alarming. But is it baby diarrhea?! And if so, why is it happening — and what should you do to get your little one’s bowel movements back to normal?
It’s often hard to tell if your baby has diarrhea. Their stool can be super soft and vastly change in color, especially in breastfed babies and in those first few weeks of life. Yellow poop or green poop doesn’t necessarily mean your baby has diarrhea (we know you’ve googled this ’cause, seriously, we’ve all been there). But there are ways to tell, and things that you can do to help your baby when they’ve got the runs.
What does baby diarrhea look like?
Basically, baby diarrhea is very watery stools that come in at frequent intervals. When you first join the motherhood, everything that happens in your baby’s diaper is a bit bewildering. In time, though, you’ll come to know how often your baby poops a day and what it looks like. Go ahead and file that under knowledge you never dreamed you’d find useful before you had kids.
So, what does normal baby poop look like? For breastfed babies, it usually means loose, yellowy poo, sometimes with a kind of seed-like substance in it (again, green and yellow poop, though weird, is normal and usually not diarrhea). For formula-fed babies, poop is usually thicker, kind of mustardy in texture, and a yellow-to-tan shade.
If your baby’s stool is watery, and if they keep passing it frequently, it means your baby has diarrhea. Mucus, blood, or a bad smell can also point to diarrhea, especially in breastfed babies. Your baby may also have other symptoms — they may act sick or have a fever, according to Seattle Children’s Hospital.
What can cause baby diarrhea?
There are several possible reasons for that runny abomination in your baby’s diaper. It might be due to:
- A virus or bacterial infection
- Antibiotics (diarrhea is a normal side-effect may be diarrhea and shouldn’t be cause for alarm)
- Lactose or cow milk allergy, which could cause chronic diarrhea
- Teething*
*It’s worth noting that while some people believe teething causes diarrhea, many doctors and dentists believe that these two things are not usually associated.
What is the treatment for baby diarrhea?
If your baby is at least three months old, the best home remedy you can offer them is comfort. Most cases of diarrhea pass on their own. Having said that, you may need to change baby’s diet or switch formulas if it turns out they have an allergy.
One of the most important things you can do when your baby comes down with diarrhea is to make sure that your baby stays hydrated. This may mean more frequent nursing or bottle feedings. If your baby is getting dehydrated, however, other solutions may be needed. Some pediatricians recommend a special electrolyte drink for breastfed babies. The best course of action if you fear your baby is getting dehydrated is to call their pediatrician right away.
When should I go see a doctor about baby diarrhea?
If your baby is younger than three months and experiencing frequent watery stools, it’s best to give their doctor a call. A call is also warranted if the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, and/or a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
As mentioned above, one of the biggest risks of diarrhea in babies and infants is dehydration. A few things to keep an eye out for? If your baby’s urine frequency changes, or if they get a dry mouth. So, if the diarrhea persists or gets more severe and you notice these symptoms, go ahead and schedule a doctor’s visit.
What are some other signs of dehydration?
We really can’t stress how important it is to make sure your baby is hydrated. Here are some symptoms of dehydration that you will want to be vigilant about watching for when your baby has diarrhea:
- No tears while crying
- A decrease in wet diapers
- Lethargy and lack of activity
- Irritability
- Dry mouth
- Dry skin that doesn’t spring back to its usual shape after being pinched
- Sunken eyes
- Sunken soft spot on top of their head
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