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Suggest Treatment For Frequent Bowel Movements In An Infant

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Posted on Wed, 15 Jul 2015
Question: my 9 months baby is pooping 8-10 times a day. pooping frequently in very small quantities for the last 5 days. Before that he used to poop 3-4 times a day. nowadays it has increased. sometimes solid and some times watery and sometimes poop looks like mucus in dark green colour. we haven't tried any new food. His activities are normal. it may be due to teething or anything to worry?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
If his activities are normal - nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi...if his activities are normal, nothing to worry.

Actually it's a myth that teething causes diarrhea. When the temporary teeth are erupting, the kids tend to keep whatever they find into the mouth and bite with the gums to sooth the erupting sensation. When they do so, any contaminants on the objects they keep in mouth will go into the intestines and may cause mild diarrhea. You need not worry of he's active and passing urine normally.

Unless the kid's having low urine output or very dull or excessively sleepy or blood in motion or green bilious vomiting...you need not worry.

There is no need to use antibiotics unless there is blood in the motion. Antibiotics might worsen if unnecessarily used causing antibiotic associated diarrhoea.

I suggest you use zinc supplements (Z&D drops 1ml once daily for 14 days) & ORS (Each small packet mixed in 200ml of potable water and keep giving sip by sip) as hydration is very important and crucial part of treatment. If there is vomiting you can use Syrup Ondansetron (as prescribed by your paediatrician).

Regarding diet - You can use cerelac...any flavour will do. Avoid fruit juices as they might aggravate diarrhea. You can give zinc supplements & ORS apart from normal vegetarian porridges & soups.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (9 minutes later)
he is not sleeping at night for last 2 days
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It could be gas accumulation or mild pain due to diarrhea

Detailed Answer:
Hi....it could be due to mild accumulation of gas or borborygmi or mild pain in the tummy due to diarrhea.

Usually this doesn't require any treatment. There are many anti colic medicines available in the market, but I don't suggest them as they are only temporarily going to stop the intestinal movement. This might temporarily stop the pain but will increase the risk of secondary bacterial infection due to stasis.

This pain will pass of in 2-4 days. Don't worry.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Sumanth Amperayani

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 8339 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Frequent Bowel Movements In An Infant

Brief Answer: If his activities are normal - nothing to worry Detailed Answer: Hi...if his activities are normal, nothing to worry. Actually it's a myth that teething causes diarrhea. When the temporary teeth are erupting, the kids tend to keep whatever they find into the mouth and bite with the gums to sooth the erupting sensation. When they do so, any contaminants on the objects they keep in mouth will go into the intestines and may cause mild diarrhea. You need not worry of he's active and passing urine normally. Unless the kid's having low urine output or very dull or excessively sleepy or blood in motion or green bilious vomiting...you need not worry. There is no need to use antibiotics unless there is blood in the motion. Antibiotics might worsen if unnecessarily used causing antibiotic associated diarrhoea. I suggest you use zinc supplements (Z&D drops 1ml once daily for 14 days) & ORS (Each small packet mixed in 200ml of potable water and keep giving sip by sip) as hydration is very important and crucial part of treatment. If there is vomiting you can use Syrup Ondansetron (as prescribed by your paediatrician). Regarding diet - You can use cerelac...any flavour will do. Avoid fruit juices as they might aggravate diarrhea. You can give zinc supplements & ORS apart from normal vegetarian porridges & soups. Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health. Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,