Baby Diarrhea: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

If your baby is passing watery stools frequently (more than 3 times a day) then your baby is suffering from diarrhea. Baby diarrhea may be acute or chronic but one should effectively manage the excessive loss of electrolytes and fluid from the body. Babies are more vulnerable to this disease because their immunities are low and their digestive system has not fully developed.

In this article, we will discuss what causes baby diarrhea, its symptoms, how to treat it and when to see a doctor.

What does a baby's typical poop look like?

A normal baby poop is soft in texture and can be of different colours. A newborn’s first poop, meconium, is black to green in colour. After a few days, the baby’s poop will turn yellow to mustard in colour. If you’re concerned about your baby’s poop colour, you can refer to a baby poop colour chart. As long as your baby’s poop is earthy in colour, everything is fine.

How about baby diarrhea?

Newborn babies usually have soft and loose poop, especially if they’re fed breast milk only. It’s normal for babies to poop several times a day as well. So, how can parents tell if their baby has diarrhea. If your baby’s poop is very runny and is more frequent than usual, they have baby diarrhea.

Here are some symptoms of mild to severe diarrhea in babies:

• Frequent watery stools

• Cramping and severe pain in the abdomen

• Fever

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Dehydration

• Blood in stools

• Pain while passing stool

Causes of newborn diarrhea

Some of the common causes of baby diarrhea are:

• Change in baby’s diet

• Use of antibiotics by mother (if breastfeeding) or baby

• Gastrointestinal infections

• Rotavirus

• Adenovirus

• Typhoid

• Parasitic infections from roundworms or hookworms.

• Food allergies

• Intolerance of certain foods like- dairy products, groundnuts, potatoes, and eggs

• Hormonal imbalance

• Bowel disorders

• Cancer

It is a wise decision to consult a pediatrician who can carefully diagnose the main reason your baby has diarrhea. Your doctor will make sure your child undergoes a physical examination and laboratory investigations. For a proper treatment of the ailment, the doctor would also like to know the complete history of eating habits, medications, and symptoms of the disease.

Effects of diarrhea in babies

If your little one is suffering from diarrhea, you must look out for side effects like dehydration. It can especially be a risk if your baby has diarrhea along with vomits and fever. You must call your doctor immediately if your baby has diarrhea and presents any signs or symptoms of dehydration, such as:

• Dry mouth and skin

• Refusing to eat or eating only a little

• Crankiness

• Crying without tears or a weak cry

• Sunken eyes, sleepiness

• Dry diaper for 8-12 hours

Treatments at home

You can prevent dehydration in a child if he/she is suffering from baby diarrhea by following modest home remedies:

• Offer ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) to your baby as many times as you can because it will balance the loss of sugars, salts, and electrolytes in your baby’s body.

• Continue breastfeeding

• Offer small meals to your child

• Make sure your child’s nappy is clean and dry

• If your child can drink, offer him/her a warm cup of herbal tea

• A teaspoon of turmeric with a cup of warm water

• Mashed apple slices, bananas or potato

• Coconut water

• Bitter gourd juice with a pinch of salt in it

• Lemonade with black pepper and ginger juice

• Rice porridge, oatmeal and wheat cereals

You should also keep the following things in mind if your child is suffering from baby diarrhea:

• Do not discontinue the formula-feed diet of your baby

• Avoid giving too many fruit juices

• Avoid giving greasy and spicy foods

• Avoid giving non-vegetarian and seafood diet

• Avoid giving excessive dairy products to your babies like- cheese, cow’s milk, and butter

• Avoid offering packed foods like chocolates, chips, and candies

When to contact a physician

You should call your baby’s pediatrician immediately if you see red or white colour poop on your baby’s diaper. Pale or white colour poop can be a sign of a liver problem whereas red baby diarrhea can mean there’s a bleeding somewhere inside. You should also call your doctor if your child has severe diarrhea or more than ten watery poops in a day.

You should seek medical attention immediately if your baby has the following symptoms along with diarrhea:

• Frequent or forceful vomiting

• Skin rashes

• Fever

• Weight loss or no weight gain

• Red or white colour poop

Gas, hiccups and diarrhea in babies are common. Though it can be hard for you to see your little one suffer from baby diarrhea, it usually goes on its own. Keep your baby hydrated and comfortable and follow home remedies until the bout of baby diarrhea passes.