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What Causes Diarrhea And Grunting While Passing Stools In An Infant?
Question: Hi,
My baby is four and half months old. She has loose motions for last 7 days. Doctor prescribed enterogermina but no effect. She is exclusively on breast milk. Also she keeps grunting while passing stools. Please advice.
My baby is four and half months old. She has loose motions for last 7 days. Doctor prescribed enterogermina but no effect. She is exclusively on breast milk. Also she keeps grunting while passing stools. Please advice.
Brief Answer:
Just continue exclusive breast feeding. Nothing else.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic.
Let me assure you that for an exclusively breast fed child of this age it is absolutely normal to pass stool several times a day, even after each feed. The consistency and color does not matter (so long as it is not hard and pellet like). It is also normal if the child passes stool once in 10 days. All these are normal variations in a child of this age and all you need to do is to continue to give breast feeding and nothing else. You need to monitor the frequency of passage of urine. If she passes urine more than 6 times within 24 hours, her hydration is normal and things are fine. If the frequency comes down, it is a warning sign but all you need to do is to give increased amount of breast feeding.
Since the 'passage of loose stool' as you mention, is actually normal, no difference can be expected on giving Enterogermina. I would not really get worried by the 'grunting while passing stools' so long as the stool is not hard and pellet like.
Do not worry. Feel free to revert back in case of further queries.
Regards
Just continue exclusive breast feeding. Nothing else.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic.
Let me assure you that for an exclusively breast fed child of this age it is absolutely normal to pass stool several times a day, even after each feed. The consistency and color does not matter (so long as it is not hard and pellet like). It is also normal if the child passes stool once in 10 days. All these are normal variations in a child of this age and all you need to do is to continue to give breast feeding and nothing else. You need to monitor the frequency of passage of urine. If she passes urine more than 6 times within 24 hours, her hydration is normal and things are fine. If the frequency comes down, it is a warning sign but all you need to do is to give increased amount of breast feeding.
Since the 'passage of loose stool' as you mention, is actually normal, no difference can be expected on giving Enterogermina. I would not really get worried by the 'grunting while passing stools' so long as the stool is not hard and pellet like.
Do not worry. Feel free to revert back in case of further queries.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi,
I have a couple of follow up questions:
1.If this is normal then why is the stools runny like water.
2. Also I have noticed frothing while she is passing stools. Is that normal?
3. If this is normal then when exactly should I be worried and what are the symptoms to look for?
4.If the frequency and color does not matter, is it OK if my baby passes stools ten times a day.
5.Also my baby is more agitated and cranky and keeps touching her stomach while passing stools.What could be the reason?
Please advise
I have a couple of follow up questions:
1.If this is normal then why is the stools runny like water.
2. Also I have noticed frothing while she is passing stools. Is that normal?
3. If this is normal then when exactly should I be worried and what are the symptoms to look for?
4.If the frequency and color does not matter, is it OK if my baby passes stools ten times a day.
5.Also my baby is more agitated and cranky and keeps touching her stomach while passing stools.What could be the reason?
Please advise
Brief Answer:
Infection is an unlikely cause in breast fed babies
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
1. if the child is exclusively breast fed, you can consider it to be within the normal range of variation as infection is unlikely.
3. Lethargy and reduced urinary output are the warning signs to look out for. The tests to be done are blood counts and CRP.
4. Yes.
5. The irritated mood could be due to some fluid and salt depletion indicating the requirement to give increased amounts of feeds. I would not be concerned about touching the stomach while passing stool.
Regards
Infection is an unlikely cause in breast fed babies
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
1. if the child is exclusively breast fed, you can consider it to be within the normal range of variation as infection is unlikely.
3. Lethargy and reduced urinary output are the warning signs to look out for. The tests to be done are blood counts and CRP.
4. Yes.
5. The irritated mood could be due to some fluid and salt depletion indicating the requirement to give increased amounts of feeds. I would not be concerned about touching the stomach while passing stool.
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. Yogesh D
Answered by
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