My six week old has had really bad diarrhea since yesterday afternoon. What could be causing this (she is breastfed)? I called my doctor and they deferr calls between 12-2 (and it's 1), so I won't hear back from them for a couple of hours; I was just trying to figure out some possibilities in the mean time.
2006-07-03 06:14:52 · 24 answers · asked by Nikki 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It's not just normal breastfed stool. And no she's not vomitting. She dosen't have a fever, but she is very fussy (she's not normally a fussy baby).
2006-07-03 06:29:24 · update #1
First of all, be aware that diarrhea in a breastfed baby is only when it's at least 12 times a day and has a foul smell. Sometimes a baby's bowel movements just change, and it's not a sign of a problem.
If it is diarrhea, the most important thing is to keep nursing and *not* to offer anything else to the baby. To prevent dehydration, nurse more often.
If you eat *any* dairy products, cut them out entirely. The baby may be allergic. Be sure to read package labels, too; dairy is used in a lot of places you'd never expect. In addition to all the obvious, avoid all foods with whey, casein, and any ingredient with "lact" in it; these are all usually dairy products. But this won't help in the next few hours. Other than an allergy (and this is almost always to cow's milk in your diet), what you eat is *not* related to your baby's bowel movements. The food you take in *cannot* cause diarrhea unless baby is allergic, and cannot cause constipation *ever*.
Pedialyte is almost *never* necessary for a breastfed baby. It is given to formula fed babies because it mimics the electrolyte balance of your milk!! Give the best instead of the imitation!! And plain water has been shown to *increase* dehydration, rather than decrease it--it is downright dangerous to give it to a sick baby.
2006-07-03 06:27:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
are you sure its diarrhea? I breastfed my son (still am at 7 months) and his stools were always loose and sometimes watery! If you are ever in doubt make sure to get pedialyte or some extra water so she won't get dehydrated :O) Although even when my son was sick with whooping cough they said if baby is breastfed... that should be the only thing he would really need!
2006-07-03 13:20:46 · answer #2 · answered by Braidynsmama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you been eating alot of fruit?? 6 weekers should not have diarrhea...Diarrhea is frequent bowel movments over a short period of time?? Not necessarily a few over a 24 hour period...A baby that small can become dehydrated QUICKLY!!! Call the DR. back ASAP if they won't get you in FIND A NEW DR. It's better safe than sorry with a little one!
2006-07-03 13:21:08 · answer #3 · answered by *bossy* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be the food you ate? Breastfed babies stool tend to be more loose that formula feed babies. (loose and seedy) I wouldn't be to concerned unless your baby has a fever or another symptom like vomit ting. Also is it constant? (3 in one hour) The doctor will most likely ask how much and how often so start tracking now.
Good Luck
2006-07-03 13:27:57 · answer #4 · answered by Candace L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you ate something that did not agree with her. Your diet has a direct effect on what they get from the breastmilk, and if you ate something different, or something that didn't set well with her, she could develop a stomach ache and diarrhea. I did that when I was breastfeeding my daughter.
I would think back on what you ate, and what was different from before. Maybe stay away from that until you stop breastfeeding or eat it in very small quantities. I know what did it for my daughter was clam chowder (which I love!!). I had to stop eating it until I stopped breastfeeding.
Hope this helps!
2006-07-03 13:47:18 · answer #5 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure it's diarrhea and just not runny stool (there is a difference)? Diarrhea soaks completely into the diaper and runny is just incredibly soft, but stays semi-solid in the diaper.
Are you breastfeeding? If so, have you changed your diet drastically lately?
2006-07-03 20:37:37 · answer #6 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm. Don't know what to tell, you but they http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babyills/babyconstipation/82.html do. Be sure to drink some electolytes and give baby infant water so baby doesn't get dehydrated. Infant diarrhea is normal and not yet a cause for alarm, but dehydration is the danger. Hope your little one's better soon!
2006-07-03 13:21:15 · answer #7 · answered by Sleek 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do me a favor and call the emergency room, if baby has had diareha for a full day then thats not good. call the emergency room and speak to an avialible nurse ask her what she thinks you should do , ask her if you shouod be worried. let her know your docotr is unavailible.i dont think that baby should be going to much farther with no liquids for more than 24 hours. cal now.good luck.
2006-07-03 13:21:30 · answer #8 · answered by Christina 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi my name is Shorty. Well to tell you and ask you does the baby have vomiting or as well or is it just diarrhea? If have vomiting to they might have dehydration. My best is to take the baby to the E.R room to be on the safe side.
2006-07-03 13:21:48 · answer #9 · answered by Shorty 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is BF ing then it is probally just a BF baby`s poop.Trust me it is not formed at all and it is usually yellow in color.I mean if she is going like every 10 min. then take her to the DR. because she will get dehidrated and in a little infent they could die...But it is normal to go 1 time every time she eats good luck It is the best binding...
2006-07-03 13:25:30 · answer #10 · answered by *~*dragonFly*~* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋