The bowel movements of most breastfed babies tend to be very loose, yellow, and seedy.
Although they may resemble what we would consider diarrhea, this is actually totally normal.
The real worry with too much diarrhea is dehydration, and young babies can get dehydrated very quickly.
How do I know if my breastfed baby has diarrhea?
Diarrhea in Breastfed Babies: How to Tell
Diarrhea in a breastfed baby is sometimes hard to tell. Normal breastfed stools are loose (often runny and seedy). Stools are yellow, but sometimes can be green. If the stools contain mucus, blood or smell bad, this points to diarrhea.
What causes diarrhea in breastfed babies?
Breast-fed babies during the first 2 months pass from 4 stools per day to 1 after each feeding. The stools are normally liquid. However, if your baby’s stools abruptly increase in number, your baby probably has diarrhea. Diarrhea is usually caused by a viral infection of the lining of the intestines (gastroenteritis).
What are the seeds in breastfed baby poop?
These little “seeds” are undigested milk fat, which is entirely normal. Formula-fed babies’ stools are usually a little firmer, often the consistency of peanut butter. Extremely loose, watery stools may indicate that the baby is not absorbing nutrients as well as they should.
How do I know if my baby has Diarrhoea?
How can I tell if it is diarrhoea? Sometimes it’s not easy to tell. Younger breastfed babies often have very soft yellowy stools which is perfectly normal. If, however, the stool is watery, mucus-streaked, unusually smelly and more frequent than normal then it is diarrhoea.
What does breastfed baby diarrhea look like?
If your baby is exclusively breastfed, her poop will be yellow or slightly green and have a mushy or creamy consistency. It may be runny enough to resemble diarrhea. Breastfed poop typically looks like Dijon mustard and cottage cheese mixed together and may be dotted with little seed-like flecks.
Do breastfed babies get diarrhea?
Diarrhea isn’t just a loose stool; it’s a watery stool that occurs up to 12 times a day. If you’re breastfeeding: A breastfed baby’s stools are light yellow, soft, or even runny, and they often contain small pieces that look like seeds. Breastfed babies may pass stools with every breastfeeding.
What does diarrhea look like in breastfed newborn?
Breastfed baby poop is considered normal when it’s a mustard yellow, green or brown color. It is typically seedy and pasty in texture and may be runny enough to resemble diarrhea. Healthy breastfed stools will smell sweet (unlike regular bowel-movement odor).
What foods cause diarrhea in breastfed babies?
Along with the general causes above, breastfed babies can develop diarrhea from: A Mother’s Diet: Some foods in your diet can cause allergies and sensitivities in your breastfed baby. Cow’s milk, chocolate, gassy foods, spicy foods, and caffeine are the foods most likely to trigger a problem.
When should I worry about baby diarrhea?
You should call your pediatrician if your infant has: Signs of dehydration (a sunken fontanel, few wet diapers, dry eyes when crying, dry mouth, sunken eyes or lethargy) Mucus or foul odor in three or more diarrhea stools (for infants one month of age or younger) Blood in the stool.
Photo in the article by “Flickr” https://www.flickr.com/photos/statelibraryqueensland/7001966537