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Can Formula Feed Cause Diarrhea In An Infant?

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Posted on Wed, 9 Nov 2016
Question: Hello,
We just had a baby 4 days back. Since the baby wasn't latching on, we started with formula still trying to get the baby to latch to my wife.

However, he started drinking more and more reaching 90 ml in just 4 days in just 1 feed with each feed approximately 2.5 hours apart. His pooping is quite frequent as much as twice between two meals sometimes. But it is never like diarrhea.

Today while trying to find solutions for latching, we were informed by someone that you shouldnt worry about quantity at this stage as ur wife is still only producing colostrum.

We have started to restrict the baby to only breast milk pumped out since he still won't latch on. But he only gets 20 ml now in each feed which makes him irritable. He cried his lungs out today after which we saw him get sobbing spasms which he has been getting in his sleep.

He had also showed low Hemoglobin when he was born in his tests but these tests were done out of his cord blood and the doctor dint worry Too much about this results. We have repeated the tests and are awaiting the results.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Breast milk is the best option.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Congratulations on having a baby. Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest. Moreover they make the child more prone to complications and infections. Mother's breast milk is produced on the demand of the baby. Hungrier the baby, more vigorous is the suck. More is the suck, more is the amount of breast milk produced. Giving formula automatically reduces the demand of the baby and thereby the production of breast milk. All you need to do is to switch back to exclusive breast feeding and the production will increase automatically. All you need to do is to monitor the urine output. If the frequency is more than 6 times in 24 hours, you would know that the amount of feeding is adequate. If the amount of passage of urine is less or if the child is lethargic you would need to take the child to a doctor without delay.

It is possible that the technique of latching on is not proper. The entire areola (the brown portion around the nipple) needs to be inserted into the mouth of the baby (not just the nipple). If you care not confident, a nurse can assist you with the right technique. The right technique will ensure that the baby latches on properly.

For a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool several times a day or even after each feed. Alternatively the child may pass stool once in 10 days and that is normal too. Unless the stool is hard and pellet like, you need not grow concerned. It is also normal to pass green stool or a combination of yellow stool. The green colour occurs due to rapid transit through large intestine where the bile pigments do not get adequate time to convert to the yellow colour of stool. For a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool several times a day or even after each feed. Alternatively the child may pass stool once in 10 days and that is normal too. Unless the stool is hard and pellet like, you need not grow concerned.

It is also normal to pass green stool or a combination of yellow stool. Babies often get colics especially when on formula feeds. In such a case switching back to breast milk should provide relief. You should burp the baby for at least 15-20 mins after each feed. All you need to do is to hold the baby head end elevated for this duration. The extra air taken causes distention and hence colics. Proper burping will ensure its escape and the milk will not regurgitate back from the stomach to the food pipe, thus providing relief. You can otherwise continue to give Coliaid when needed. You need not give it on regular basis. It is a safe medicine and you need not worry about any disadvantage of giving it.

I would not be worried about what you mention as sobbing spasms.

Let me know the blood reports and I will guide you further.

Let me know if you have further queries or if I have missed out something.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Can Formula Feed Cause Diarrhea In An Infant?

Brief Answer: Breast milk is the best option. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Congratulations on having a baby. Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest. Moreover they make the child more prone to complications and infections. Mother's breast milk is produced on the demand of the baby. Hungrier the baby, more vigorous is the suck. More is the suck, more is the amount of breast milk produced. Giving formula automatically reduces the demand of the baby and thereby the production of breast milk. All you need to do is to switch back to exclusive breast feeding and the production will increase automatically. All you need to do is to monitor the urine output. If the frequency is more than 6 times in 24 hours, you would know that the amount of feeding is adequate. If the amount of passage of urine is less or if the child is lethargic you would need to take the child to a doctor without delay. It is possible that the technique of latching on is not proper. The entire areola (the brown portion around the nipple) needs to be inserted into the mouth of the baby (not just the nipple). If you care not confident, a nurse can assist you with the right technique. The right technique will ensure that the baby latches on properly. For a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool several times a day or even after each feed. Alternatively the child may pass stool once in 10 days and that is normal too. Unless the stool is hard and pellet like, you need not grow concerned. It is also normal to pass green stool or a combination of yellow stool. The green colour occurs due to rapid transit through large intestine where the bile pigments do not get adequate time to convert to the yellow colour of stool. For a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool several times a day or even after each feed. Alternatively the child may pass stool once in 10 days and that is normal too. Unless the stool is hard and pellet like, you need not grow concerned. It is also normal to pass green stool or a combination of yellow stool. Babies often get colics especially when on formula feeds. In such a case switching back to breast milk should provide relief. You should burp the baby for at least 15-20 mins after each feed. All you need to do is to hold the baby head end elevated for this duration. The extra air taken causes distention and hence colics. Proper burping will ensure its escape and the milk will not regurgitate back from the stomach to the food pipe, thus providing relief. You can otherwise continue to give Coliaid when needed. You need not give it on regular basis. It is a safe medicine and you need not worry about any disadvantage of giving it. I would not be worried about what you mention as sobbing spasms. Let me know the blood reports and I will guide you further. Let me know if you have further queries or if I have missed out something. Regards