Loose stools in a newborn when breastfeeding

Liquid stool in a newborn during breastfeeding does not always indicate the development of pathological processes. This is normal and there is no need to panic in such cases. The fact is that the digestive system of infants has not yet had time to form completely, so it has some features. It is important for parents to know what may accompany the appearance of loose stools and whether this indicates the development of any disease in the baby.

If the stool of a newborn has a liquid consistency and is colored yellow, but the baby is behaving normally, sleeping well and gradually gaining weight, then there is nothing to worry about. After birth, the child eats easily digestible liquid food, respectively, the feces can also be liquid. More details about the causes of the appearance of loose stools will be discussed in this article.

What kind of stool is considered normal

In a normal state, an infant goes to the potty at least 8 times a day. Since his digestive system is still getting used to the new food, he can defecate after each feed. This is a normal phenomenon, especially if the baby is not capricious, is always awake and steadily gains weight. In the process of development, the frequency of bowel movements gradually decreases and already at 6 months the baby goes to the potty 3 to 5 times a day. A one-year-old baby usually defecates only a few times a day.

The consistency and color of the baby's stool can be influenced by various factors, for example, the characteristics of the child's body, the diet of a nursing mother, and so on. During the first few days of a baby's life, green stools of a liquid consistency are observed. But after a certain time, it takes on an orange or yellow color. A little later, parents may notice changes in the thickness or color of the stool. During this period, it is necessary to closely monitor the condition of the baby: if he is constantly crying, naughty or pulls his legs to his tummy, this indicates health problems. The presence of deviations may be indicated by purulent or bloody discharge, as well as profuse mucus in the child's stool.

On a note! If the child is bottle-fed, then the frequency of the stool in this case is half. This is due to the duration of the digestion of the artificial mixture - it is digested by the baby's body much longer than mother's milk. It should be noted that the stool during artificial feeding is quite dark and hard, and a two-day delay in this case is not considered a deviation.

Do I need to worry?

When breastfeeding, a newborn's stool may be green, frothy, runny, mucus-laden, or have particles of undigested breast milk. But when does a baby really need help?

In fact, you should pay attention to the appearance of the following suspicious symptoms:

• the baby begins to be capricious, weakness of the body appears;
• appetite worsens or disappears completely;
• there are bouts of vomiting;
• body temperature rises;
• pains in the abdomen appear, flatulence develops;
• the stool has a rotten smell;
• foamy or bloody discharge appears;
• the child defecates frequently (more than 10 times a day).

Even if a child has a healthy appetite, he is cheerful and cheerful, this does not mean that parents should not care about the consistency or color of the baby's stool. At the slightest suspicion of a pathological deviation, it is recommended to immediately seek help from a pediatrician.

Factors contributing to loose stools

There can be many reasons for the appearance of loose stools, for example, the development of a viral infection, improper feeding, etc. Let's consider the most common reasons:

• improper diet;
• unbalanced diet of a nursing mother (excessive consumption of vegetables, use of antibacterial drugs);
• viral diseases, accompanied not only by loose stools, but also by other symptoms (fever, vomiting, weakness of the body);
• insufficient amount of lactase in the child's body. Lactase is an enzyme involved in metabolic processes;
  

  Loose stools can be observed with lactase deficiency

  

  Lactase deficiency

• period of teething. If loose stools were caused by teething, then special treatment is not needed in this case. As a rule, this phenomenon does not last long.

Dysbacteriosis can provoke the appearance of loose stools, upon detection of which the baby needs immediate medical attention. Pathology is quite rare and is accompanied by the appearance of a rash, weight loss and an increase in body temperature.

What to do with loose stools

If you notice signs of loose stools in your child, then the first thing to do in this case is not treat diarrhea on your own, and restore salt and fluids in the body that came out of it with regular bowel movements.

First aid measures for a child include the following:

• if the baby is breastfed, that is, he feeds on breast milk, then it must be applied to the breast as often as possible. This will calm him down;
• to restore the lost reserves of fluid in the baby's body, give him special solutions. But before that, you must definitely consult with your doctor;
• use natural remedies to restore nutrients. For example, make an infusion of pomegranate, blackberry, or blueberry. Of course, you should also consult a pediatrician before using such funds.

Regardless of how serious the changes in the baby's condition seem to you, it is necessary to show it to the doctor. This will avoid serious complications.

When to sound the alarm

It is imperative to call an ambulance if the following symptoms appear:

• an increase in body temperature above 38 ° C;
• frequent bouts of vomiting;
• the child looks very lethargic;
• symptoms of dehydration occur (increased drowsiness, constant crying without tears, dry lips);
• loose stools with foam, mucus or blood impurities;
• diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics.

Despite the fact that the appearance of loose stools is far from always a symptom of a more serious pathology, in no case should parents lose their vigilance. They must learn to distinguish between loose stools and diarrhea. Do not forget that diarrhea in itself does not pose a serious danger to the baby's health, as it helps the body to cleanse itself. You need to be afraid of dehydration, which often accompanies diarrhea.

Treatment feature

Depending on the nature of the causative agent of the pathology, the course of treatment may differ. If the cause is pathogenic microorganisms, then the doctor must prescribe antibiotics, which adversely affect the activity of bacteria in the baby's intestines. As an adjunct, immunomodulators or antidiarrheals can be used. A multivitamin course is required if the child's body is extremely depleted.

Taking antibacterial drugs in the treatment of a viral disease is necessary to prevent re-infection. Only the attending physician can prescribe such medicines. He selects the most suitable drugs and dosage, taking into account the severity of the pathology and the weight of the baby. Below are the most common medications that are prescribed for infants.

Table. Review of drugs for the treatment of loose stools.

Name of the drug, photo	Description
Lactovite	Refers to probiotic drugs. The composition includes various lactobacilli that eliminate all signs of dysbiosis. The action of this drug is to suppress the pathogenic intestinal microflora. When treating children under 12 months of age, the powder is diluted in warm water. The dosage and frequency of use is determined by the attending physician. Lactovit has practically no contraindications, with the exception of individual intolerance to its individual components.
Smecta	An effective drug, the main task of which is to neutralize pathogens in the lumen of the patient's intestines. Smectite acts as an active component. The drug is available in powder form, which must be diluted in warm water before use. The agent is not absorbed into the mucous membrane, so it rarely causes side effects. As an exception, there can be only an individual intolerance to individual components. It is not recommended to use Smecta for intestinal obstruction or constipation.
Hydrovit	Effective in treating symptoms of dehydration. The preparation contains minerals, due to which the water-salt balance is restored. Depending on the severity of the disease and the weight of the baby, the dosage of the drug may vary. This is determined by the attending physician. Despite the effectiveness of the drug, there are certain contraindications. For example, it is not recommended to use Hydrovit for hyperkalemia, diabetes mellitus and renal failure.
Hilak forte	It is used to restore beneficial intestinal microflora. The active component of this drug is lactic acid, which is obtained biosynthetically. The remedy has practically no contraindications, so it is often prescribed for young children.
Normobact	A common drug with antidiarrheal properties. It contains lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, thanks to which the drug is used for decreased appetite, diarrhea, and also for stool disorders in a child.
Bificol	Another drug used in medical practice to treat the symptoms of dysbiosis. It is also prescribed for inflammation of the digestive tract, dysentery and other pathologies, which are accompanied by loose stools. Escherichia coli and bifidobacteria act as active components.

For loose stools, many more drugs are used than indicated above. But they are all potent drugs, so they can only be used as directed by a doctor. Self-medication is highly discouraged, especially when it comes to a small child.

Prevention measures

Prevention of diarrhea in a newborn, first of all, consists in observing the following recommendations:

• all family members must carefully monitor their hygiene. Do not touch the child with dirty hands immediately after coming from the street. Only cleanliness and hygiene will prevent the appearance of loose stools in the baby;
  

  Wash your hands as often as possible

• with artificial feeding, the mother must follow all the recommendations and rules. We are talking about the correctly selected milk formula, with the choice of which the attending physician should help you, adherence to the diet and serving sizes. Depending on the age of the baby, the portions should be changed;
• make sure that the child does not overheat or overeat. This can negatively affect the functioning of his digestive system. For example, from excess food in the stomach, gas may occur, the stomach may swell, which will cause severe discomfort;
• when a baby switches from breast milk to regular food (introduction of complementary foods), all the rules must be followed. First of all, avoid being overly independent. Only a doctor can decide if your child is ready for the introduction of complementary foods. Also, in this matter, there is no need to rush, and if yesterday the kid ate mashed zucchini, this does not mean at all that today you can give zucchini stew. Everything should be gradual, otherwise problems with the digestive system may arise;
  

  Scheme for the introduction of foods and meals for complementary foods

• if someone from your family is sick with a viral or infectious disease, try to immediately limit all contacts of the child with the sick. The baby's immune system has not yet fully formed, so it is rather weak. At this age, any virus can lead to serious consequences and diarrhea is the most harmless of them;
• if your baby is still breastfeeding, then in no case give up breastfeeding if it is very hot outside. In the summer, the baby does not need extra stress at all, since this can weaken his immune system, which will lead to the active multiplication of bacteria and, as a result, the appearance of diarrhea.

Proper nutrition of a nursing mother will help prevent the development of many health problems in babies. Therefore, you also need to monitor your diet. Avoid foods that can lead to diarrhea or other stool problems.

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