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What Can Be The Cause For Sweet Smelling Bowels During Constipation In A Child?

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Posted on Tue, 8 May 2012
Question: my seven month old had very sweet smelling bowel movements. he has had constipation and we are half way through a new formula to try and help that. This motion was not hard just smelt sweet and looked like peanutbutter.
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Answered by Dr. Deepak Anvekar (11 hours later)
Hello XXXXXXX

Stools normally have an unpleasant odor, but one that is recognized as fairly common or 'typical'. But odor of stools alone are not diagnostic of anything. Other symptoms and signs are generally present.

If your baby's bowel movements are: Black , Red or bloody , White or gray, Consistently watery, OR Consistently large, hard or difficult to pass, you might benefit by consulting your baby's doctor for proper advice and specific treatment.

Infant constipation is the passage of hard, dry bowel movements — not necessarily the absence of daily bowel movements. Infant constipation often begins with the transition from breast milk to formula, or from strained foods to table foods.

In your seven month old baby, Simple dietary changes as mentioned below might be helpful:

1. Water. Offer your baby a daily serving of water in addition to usual feedings. start with 2 to 4 ounces (about 60 to 120 milliliters). Try more or less as you gauge your baby's response to the water.

2. Fruit juice. If water doesn't seem to help, offer your baby a daily serving of XXXXXXX prune or pear juice in addition to usual feedings. Start with 2 to 4 ounces (about 60 to 120 milliliters), and experiment to determine whether your baby needs more or less.

3. High-fiber baby foods. If your baby is eating solid foods, try high-fiber baby foods — such as barley cereal and pureed pears or prunes. Avoid rice cereal.

4. You may also want to apply a small amount of water-based lubricant to your baby's anus to ease the passage of hard stools. Don't use mineral oil, laxatives or enemas to treat infant constipation.

Hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
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
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Answered by
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Dr. Deepak Anvekar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 336 Questions

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What Can Be The Cause For Sweet Smelling Bowels During Constipation In A Child?

Hello XXXXXXX

Stools normally have an unpleasant odor, but one that is recognized as fairly common or 'typical'. But odor of stools alone are not diagnostic of anything. Other symptoms and signs are generally present.

If your baby's bowel movements are: Black , Red or bloody , White or gray, Consistently watery, OR Consistently large, hard or difficult to pass, you might benefit by consulting your baby's doctor for proper advice and specific treatment.

Infant constipation is the passage of hard, dry bowel movements — not necessarily the absence of daily bowel movements. Infant constipation often begins with the transition from breast milk to formula, or from strained foods to table foods.

In your seven month old baby, Simple dietary changes as mentioned below might be helpful:

1. Water. Offer your baby a daily serving of water in addition to usual feedings. start with 2 to 4 ounces (about 60 to 120 milliliters). Try more or less as you gauge your baby's response to the water.

2. Fruit juice. If water doesn't seem to help, offer your baby a daily serving of XXXXXXX prune or pear juice in addition to usual feedings. Start with 2 to 4 ounces (about 60 to 120 milliliters), and experiment to determine whether your baby needs more or less.

3. High-fiber baby foods. If your baby is eating solid foods, try high-fiber baby foods — such as barley cereal and pureed pears or prunes. Avoid rice cereal.

4. You may also want to apply a small amount of water-based lubricant to your baby's anus to ease the passage of hard stools. Don't use mineral oil, laxatives or enemas to treat infant constipation.

Hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.