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Occasional diarrhea is a common experience for many infants. How can you tell if your baby has it? Does runny poop mean a run to your doctor? Let’s explore what diarrhea could look like in your baby, when to be concerned, and strategies for helping your little one feel better.
Diarrhea looks like loose, watery stools—and there’s a lot of it. It may occur numerous times throughout the day and may leak out your baby’s diaper
Breastfed and formula-fed babies’ stool usually differs in color and consistency, so knowing what to look for may help you identify diarrhea.1
Breastfed babies typically have slightly sweet-smelling stools that may be runny, seedy, and yellow. These soft stools often occur after every feeding, so it may be difficult to discern what’s diarrhea and what’s not. Keep an eye out for the following that could indicate diarrhea:
Formula-feeding babies typically have pasty, peanut-butter consistency stools. Healthy stools may be shades of yellow or brown and smell more odorous than a breastfed baby’s. Diarrhea in formula-fed babies commonly appears to be:2
Diarrhea could be mild (3-5 watery stools per day), moderate (6-9 watery stools per day), or severe (10 or more watery stools per day).3
The most significant concern with diarrhea is that it could lead to dehydration, which babies are more susceptible to since they have a higher metabolic rate and body water content.4
There are several potential reasons why your little peanut could have diarrhea. Some of the most common causes include:5
A virus is a typical cause of watery stools. Along with diarrhea, your baby may experience the following:
If you suspect your baby has a virus, contact your pediatrician for guidance on how to manage it to ensure your baby remains hydrated and replenishes their vital fluids, salts, and minerals.6
If you’re breastfeeding, your little one’s diarrhea may be a reaction to something in your diet. Reach out to your pediatrician, who may suggest eliminating certain foods on a trial basis. You’ll likely be advised to keep a food diary and note your baby’s diaper habits when you consume certain foods. Often, you’ll have to forgo potential food sensitivities for two weeks to see if they’re the culprit.
While not very common in children under three, some infants may be lactose intolerant and unable to digest lactose, the sugar primarily found in milk and dairy products.7 Lactose is found in breast milk and most everyday infant formulas. Babies who are lactose intolerant may have loose stools accompanied by:
Suspected cases of lactose intolerance could turn out to be a temporary illness or other easily-managed digestive issue, but talk to your pediatrician to find out the root cause. If your baby is lactose intolerant, your doctor may recommend a change to mom’s diet or, if formula-feeding, switching to a plant-based formula or an infant formula designed for sensitive tummies.
Recurrent diarrhea after all or most feedings could indicate cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). This dairy allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a usually harmless protein within cow’s milk as harmful and triggers an allergic response. Babies with cow’s milk protein allergy may experience diarrhea as well as:
Cow’s milk protein allergy is the most common type of infant food allergy in the United States, affecting about 2-3% of infants.8
It's important to talk to your baby's doctor if you're concerned that an allergy could be causing your baby's diarrhea. Your doctor may recommend a dairy-elimination diet and perform additional tests to help identify CMPA.
Antibiotics taken by your baby or passed through breast milk may cause mild diarrhea. Don’t stop taking the antibiotic, but call your doctor if you notice your baby has very watery stools or blood in their diarrhea.9
Some less common causes of diarrhea include a parasitic infection such as giardia or an intestinal disease. Babies with these types of health issues typically have chronic diarrhea that lasts for a few weeks.10
Diarrhea may cause your baby to become dehydrated quickly. This depletion of water and minerals called electrolytes can be dangerous, so watch for these potential dehydration indicators:
Since dehydration can have serious effects, avoiding it is an important part of managing diarrhea.11 If you suspect your baby may be dehydrated, contact your doctor immediately. They may suggest an electrolyte water solution if the dehydration is severe.
If you think your baby’s diarrhea may be connected to a dietary issue, it’s important to keep your baby hydrated while also taking steps to help pinpoint the root of the problem.
Take note of everything your baby is ingesting to help your doctor identify the possible reason for your little one’s issues.
Diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, colic, and other health issues could indicate cow's milk protein allergy, so check with your doctor. They may recommend eliminating dairy from your diet.
Whether your baby’s digestive tract seems a little sensitive or you suspect an allergy such as cow’s milk allergy, talk to your doctor about formula options. For instance, some hypoallergenic baby formulas, such as Enfamil Nutramigen with probiotic LGG Infant Formula, have specific proteins that are easier for babies to digest. Switching to this type of formula may be a simple baby diarrhea management option when the loose stools are associated with cow’s milk allergy.
You may have heard about probiotics or prebiotics and gut bacteria health. A healthy gut microbiome—home to many so-called good bacteria—is important at any age since it plays a role in a variety of bodily functions. Both prebiotics and probiotics are thought to help support your baby’s health by promoting the growth of good gut bacteria.
Many infants experience diarrhea once in a while. However, if your baby is three months or younger, or if you recognize the following, call your pediatrician right away:
To help your doctor identify your little one’s health issue, call the office and ask if you should do anything to prepare for your visit. Here are some things you can do in advance to help you make the most of your appointment:
While it's not uncommon for babies to have occasional bouts of loose stools, call your baby's doctor anytime for information, advice, and assurance. Here are eight key questions to consider asking your pediatrician if your baby is experiencing diarrhea:
Your doctor’s guidance can give you peace of mind as you work together to get your baby’s bowel movements back on track so your little one can start feeling better.
References:
“Diarrhea.” Seattle Children's. https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions
“12 Types of Baby Poop & What They Mean (Infographic).” Blank Children’s Hospital UnityPoint Health. August 15, 2014. https://www.unitypoint.org/blankchildrens
“Diarrhea.” Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
Vega, Roy M., Avva, Usha. “Pediatric Dehydration.” National Library of Medicine. August 1, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436022/. Accessed October 20, 2022.
“Diarrhea in infants.” MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency
“Diarrhea in Babies.” Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
Porto, Anthony, MD, MPH, FAAP. “Lactose Intolerance in Infants & Children: Parent FAQs.“ Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
Moreno Villares, J.M, Oliveros Leal, L., Torres Peral, R., Luna Paredes, C., Martínez-Gimeno, A., García-Hernández, G. ”Growth in infants with cow's milk allergy.” March 2006. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16527091/. Accessed October 20, 2022.
“Antibiotic Prescriptions for Children: 10 Common Questions Answered.” Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
”Diarrhea in Children.” John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org
“Diarrhea in Children: What Parents Need to Know.” Healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
“Viral Diarrhea (Infant/Toddler).” Fairview. https://www.fairview.org/patient-education/115963EN. Accessed October 20, 2022.
As with most things, practice makes perfect—and rest assured, you’ll get plenty of diaper-changing practice those first couple of years. In no time you’ll be a pro and be able to tackle your baby’s diaper with confidence. For more tips and resources on all things baby, including nutrition and feeding, be sure to join Enfamil Family Beginnings®. Enjoy up to $400 in savings, plus exclusive rewards, support, and surprises.
Join NowAll information on Enfamil, including but not limited to information about health, medical conditions, and nutrition, is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for a healthcare professional's medical identification, advice, or management for specific medical conditions. You should seek medical care and consult your doctor or pediatrician for any specific health or nutrition issues. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment, care, or help because of information you have read on Enfamil.
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