Diarrhea In Breastfed Babies

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is characterized by a sudden increase in the frequency of bowel movements and a change in the consistency of the stool. The one with several mushy stools is defined as mild, and the one with many watery stools per day is defined as severe. The best indicator of the severity of diarrhea is its frequency or the presence of blood in the stool.

Most diarrhea is relatively mild and does not pose a serious threat to the baby's health if it is not dehydrated (dehydrated).

However, dehydration can be very serious, even fatal in babies. Therefore, it is crucial to make sure that the child is getting enough fluids. If you notice dryness in the child's mouth, dryness in the baby's eyes (crying without tears), sunken eyes, infrequent urination, darker and more concentrated urine - you have cause for concern. These are signs of dehydration. Seek medical help to control the situation in the shortest possible time.

How do I know if my baby has diarrhea?

First, you will need to assess what is normal for your baby. Newborns pass stools quite often (usually after each feeding) and their stools are quite soft, especially if the baby is breastfed.

However, when an infant has diarrhea, you will surely find out. Stools acquire a watery consistency, and bowel movements become much more frequent.

Keep in mind that a bowel movement with a consistency that is unusual for your child is not a cause for concern. But if you increase the number of stools and feces are watery, then it is probably diarrhea.

What are the causes of diarrhea?

The list of possibilities is long: viral or bacterial infection; parasite; a course of antibiotic treatment or something the child consumes.

There are many viruses that could cause diarrhea: rotovirus, adenovirus, calicivirus, astrovirus, influenza virus and others. In addition to passing watery stools, viruses can also cause: vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, chills, abdominal pain and more.

It is caused by: salmonella, shigella, staphylococci, campylobacteria or E. coli. If the baby has such an infection, it may be accompanied by abdominal cramps, vomiting, blood in the stool, fever. In the presence of such symptoms it is good to consult a doctor. In order to specify the causative agent itself, it will be necessary to make a microbiological sample (culture taken from the faeces, which is cultured on a special nutrient medium).

In some cases, an ear infection, which can again be viral or bacterial, is the culprit for diarrhea. If this is the case, you may notice that your baby is nervous and pulling his ears. Other signs may also include vomiting and poor appetite. Such conditions occur after a recent cold.

Parasites in the intestinal tract are the other type of cause of diarrhea. Symptoms here include gas, bloating and greasy stools. These infections are easily spread through close contact and group activities (eg nurseries, kindergartens). Therefore, if a parasitic infection is suspected, you should seek medical attention immediately.

If the baby has diarrhea during or after a course of antibiotic treatment, it is probably related to the medicine. Talk to your doctor about alternative remedies and remedies (probiotics), but do not stop the prescribed therapy without the consent of the pediatrician.

If you offer your baby juice (especially fruit juice containing sorbitol and high levels of fructose) or too many sweetened drinks, they can upset his stomach and lead to diarrhea. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends not offering fruit juice until the baby is 6 months old.

It can also be a cause of upset stomach, so make sure you add the right amount of water.

It can cause mild or severe reactions immediately or within a few hours. In it, the immune system reacts to usually harmless to the body dietary proteins. Symptoms include diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain and blood in the stool. In more severe cases, the allergy can also cause urticaria, swelling and difficulty breathing.

Milk protein is the most common food allergen. It is best not to offer cow's milk to the child until the first year. But if you prepare formula milk (which is based on cow's milk) or already offer solid foods containing dairy products, the child will react if he is allergic.

Unlike food allergies, food intolerance is an unusual reaction that does not involve the immune system. An example of this is lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance in babies is very unusual, but if it is present, it means that the child does not produce enough lactase (the enzyme needed to digest lactose). When milk sugar (lactose) remains in the gut, it can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating and gas, which usually start half an hour to two hours after eating.

This is another cause of gastrointestinal upset in infants. If your baby has diarrhea, vomits, and thinks you may have swallowed some kind of non-food product such as medicine, chemicals or plants, seek emergency help immediately.

Remember that some of the products you consume may cause your baby to defecate more often or to pass softer (mushy) stools. Examples include coffee, cola or herbal teas. If you have such assumptions, exclude these products from your menu and observe the child.

Example - cystic fibrosis.

What to feed and how to treat baby's diarrhea?

Giving more fluids and dietary changes are the main treatment for diarrhea. The first and most important thing is that the baby is well hydrated. Although rare, even with proper treatment, the baby may need to remain under medical supervision if he becomes dehydrated. So your first concern is to offer him enough fluids.

When it comes to a breastfed baby, treatment is easy. Continue breastfeeding, but at more frequent intervals. Do not stop because of diarrhea. Because of the ease and speed with which breast milk is digested, even if your baby vomits or passes stool shortly after breastfeeding, it will still retain some of the nutrients.

You may need to stop temporarily if your baby is too exhausted to breastfeed and needs intravenous fluids. In such cases, express your breasts to maintain lactation until you resume breastfeeding.

If the baby vomits after breastfeeding and cannot drink water, it will be necessary to consult a pediatrician to prescribe a suitable electrolyte solution.

Breastfed babies sometimes need oral rehydration therapy, although much less often than formula-fed babies. The World Health Organization recommends that breastfeeding be continued during and after this therapy. Studies show that babies lose more weight and actually have more diarrhea when they are breastfed.

Avoid sugar. Do not offer sweetened liquids (including ginger), sugar water and undiluted fruit juices. Also avoid jellies. They all contain sugar, which attracts more water to the intestines and worsens diarrhea.

If the child is older, balance his nutrition well. Doctors are currently advising to continue feeding solids to older babies who are already fed. You can stick to the classic BRAT diet (of bananas, rice, apples and dry toasted slices), although some sources dispute whether it is really useful.

Instead, doctors more often recommend lean meat (chicken), starchy foods (oatmeal, bread, biscuits), as well as crunchy salty foods (crackers) to restore lost amounts of sodium. A standard, healthy diet can shorten a baby's recovery period as it provides the essential nutrients needed to fight infection.

Offer yogurt . Yogurt is also recommended because of the beneficial bacteria it contains (restoring the intestinal microflora). Studies show that live bacterial cultures found in it are a safe and effective way to reduce the amount and duration of diarrhea. If the infant is old enough to offer yogurt, this will be an easy way to treat the problem.

If a baby temporarily refuses to eat, don't worry. It is important to absorb fluids and be well hydrated. His appetite will return in a day or two.

Change diapers regularly. Keep the baby dry and use appropriate cosmetics to prevent redness and skin irritation as a result of diarrhea, as the skin around the baby's anus is very sensitive.

Hold the child in your arms. He will probably feel uncomfortable with this condition - you can comfort him by hugging him.

Breast milk against rehydration therapy

When the baby is sick, mothers sometimes decide that the better option is to stop or limit breastfeeding and replace it with oral rehydration therapy. However, this outdated practice shows that it is not good for the breastfed baby and may even slow down his recovery.

Breast milk gives some things to the baby that he needs more than usual when he has diarrhea.

• Antibodies - breast milk contains antibodies that help fight the disease. Rehydration solutions do not contain antibodies.
• Water that keeps the child well hydrated. When babies do not feel well, they are more likely to be breastfed than to take something else by mouth. Maintaining good hydration also helps reduce mucus secretion.
• Concentrated nutrients - breast milk is easily and quickly digested, so the baby gets more nutrients and absorbs them faster. Rehydration solutions will also keep the baby well hydrated, but have low nutritional value.
• Comfort - sick babies need more peace of mind - what better way to soothe them than to put them to the breast?

More about the content of breast milk can be found in:

• "Colostrum. What is it?"
• "What does breast milk contain"
• "Does breast milk change"

Can I give my baby antidiarrheal medication for adults?

No! Do not give your child any diarrhea medications unless your doctor has prescribed them. They can be dangerous if they are not age-appropriate and not in the right dose.

For alternative treatments, see "Diarrhea in Babies and Children - Home Remedies and Foods" for more information.

When should I seek medical help?

Depending on the cause, diarrhea can last between one or two weeks. You need to see a pediatrician if:

• the infant is less than 3 months old, as he can become dehydrated very quickly;
• the child is more than 3 months old and there are no signs of improvement within 24 hours;
• In addition to diarrhea, the baby also has symptoms such as: vomiting, signs of dehydration, blood in the stool, fever (above 38 ° C).

How can I protect my baby from infectious diarrhea?

The best advice that can be given is to wash your hands often. The microorganisms that cause diarrhea easily pass from the hands to the mouth. This can happen if you yourself do not maintain good hygiene (for example, after changing diapers) or the baby touches and paws not well cleaned toys.

Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water after changing your baby's diaper!

Maintain good hygiene before preparing food for the child!

Wash your baby's hands well too!

Clean his toys well!