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What Causes Hard And Lumpy Stool In A Child?

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Posted on Sat, 12 Dec 2015
Question: Hello Doc,

My son is 6.5 months old and along with mother's milk we have started with cerelac and formula milk.Also we are giving dal water ragi water also some tym.

We have noticed that the stool that he passes is recently very hard and lumpy and is not fluidish. We do give him boiled water in intervals. How much of water should be given to babies of his age and do we need to follow a diet routine?

Please advice on how much of water in a day should we give him and how much of other eatables.
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Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Change in diet will cause change in stool consistency.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Change in type of feeds may lead to change in stool consistency and is not a cause for concern. Givign dal water and ragi is fine. However, although you have done fine by starting cerelac, I would not insist you to initiate formula milk. Rather, I would strongly insist you to continue giving mother's breast milk. Water is to be given only for quencing thirst. The adequacy of feeds and fluids is to be reflected in the number of times urine is passed. If it is more than 6-8 times over a period of 24 hours, fluid intake is fine, else water and fluid intake needs to be increased.

No specific diet routine is essential but it is important not to initiate too many new items at a time. Instead, give the child time to get set to the diet and increase one new item each week.

Let me know if you have any further queries and I would be glad to help.

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. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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What Causes Hard And Lumpy Stool In A Child?

Brief Answer: Change in diet will cause change in stool consistency. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Change in type of feeds may lead to change in stool consistency and is not a cause for concern. Givign dal water and ragi is fine. However, although you have done fine by starting cerelac, I would not insist you to initiate formula milk. Rather, I would strongly insist you to continue giving mother's breast milk. Water is to be given only for quencing thirst. The adequacy of feeds and fluids is to be reflected in the number of times urine is passed. If it is more than 6-8 times over a period of 24 hours, fluid intake is fine, else water and fluid intake needs to be increased. No specific diet routine is essential but it is important not to initiate too many new items at a time. Instead, give the child time to get set to the diet and increase one new item each week. Let me know if you have any further queries and I would be glad to help. Regards