Is diaherra normal for a 1 week old baby to have?

Question

my sis just had her baby 1 week ago. She is breast feeding as well as giving him formula. However for the past 2 days he's had really bad diaherra, I told her she should go to the ped. emegergency but i'd thought i'd get some feedback here while she waits there...any help would be appreciated,,

As i stated..she's ALREADY at the ER.. I just wanted to get some info here ((((AGAIN))))).Shes ALREADY AT THE ER and i wanted to get some info here while she waited.

* SODAS...NEver would i choose to sit here and get an opinion rather than go to the doctor. So i didnt reallt understand why you stated that. not to be rude but the only thumbs down i give is to your comment. !

Answer 1

Breastfed baby poops are yellow, mustardy, and a very thin consistency. Sometimes watery with a bit of mucous and seedy flecks, although they can turn creamy and rather peanut-buttery as well (not as common IME). In the early weeks, a breastfed baby will usually have a poopy diaper during, or just after, almost every single feeding. This is completely normal, although it's also completely normal to only be pooping once or twice a day.

True diarrhea in the breastfed baby is highly unusual, and definitely a signal of something significantly wrong if it *is* true diarrhea. One of the best ways to judge if it is diarrhea is by its odor. Normal poops smell mild, sometimes buttery, creamy, or like popcorn (with a touch of sulfur). Diarrhea usually has a foul odor, and may be frothy or extremely mucousy as well as liquidy.

But most cases of suspected diarrhea end up being nothing more than normal, profuse breastmilk poops. The pages I'm linking to below have lots of info on different medical causes of diarrhea so your sis can look over and see if her baby fits the criteria for anything serious. If she has any concerns, a call to the baby's doctor is always in order! :)

Congrats, Auntie! Best of luck to your sis & new niece. :)

Answer 2

Getting that Baby to the doc is the first and foremost thing, this could become a life and death issue. Constant evacuations in a young child can become dangerous, the baby can become dehydrated, there are a number of reasons this could be happening but the most important thing is to get the baby to a doc right away. Maybe the breast milk or formula are not agreeing with him, also if the bottles or anything that touches the baby's mouth has been sterilized or cleaned, including the nipple and the surrounding skin, even if she washes her hands before touching the baby, after going to the bathroom herself or letting others touch the baby without having sanitized their hands. Everyone thought I was nuts with my kids because they had to sanitize their hands prior to touching them. I kept a bottle of the sanitizing gel right next to the crib and had no problems. Also, rotavirus is up and active, it is an infection that cruelly hits babies during this season. Good Luck and hope he gets better.

Answer 3

Hi Maria,
I agree with most of the other answers, even though a breastfed newborn is supposed to poop alot and have runny yellowy poo, its probably a good idea to take her to the doctors / hosp just to be sure. Perhaps if possible save a dirty nappy and take it to show the dr as well. They'll probably be able to tell you definatively whether its something to worry about or not. Also, maybe get the baby weighed asap to see whether she's putting on weight. If she is, then chances are that she is doing ok. On average, newborns are supposed to put on 150-200grams a week. If she has put on less than 100g, then she should probably be taken to the dr / community health nurse to be checked out.
Good luck.

Answer 4

No diarrhea is not normal for a 1 week old baby to have. Thank goodness she has a sister who is smart and told her to take her baby to the ER. The doctor who delivered the baby and released her and the baby from the hospital should have informed her that she should take her baby to the doctor or even to the ER should he have diarrhea. It can be very dangerous for the baby as it can cause dehydration.

Answer 5

I was told by my OB that diarrhea is dangerous in an infant--especially a 1 week old. Dehydration is one danger but there could be other things--please take the baby in to the emergency room or try to get a Dr. appt real soon!! Good luck.

I don't get why people give thumbs down to suggestions of getting medical care--please think it through.

Answer 6

My now 12 week old daughter was the same way. She didnt slow down until she was about 3 weeks old. I know it seems like a lot, I was also worried. My doctor told me as long as she was gaining weight she was ok. It seems like every thing you feed them comes right back out. But she is very healthy now and only poops about once a day.

Answer 7

If she went to the ER they will take care of the baby, but at home she should continually give him Pedialite which will keep liquids in the baby so he will not become dehydrated. Dehydration is dangerous. So if she went to ER I am sure things will be under control.

Answer 8

Babies generally have very loose stools the first couple of months, especially when being breastfed. Does it look kind of mustardy? That's normal. If it's veeeeeerrrrrrry runny and thin, that's something to be concerned about. Make sure he is taking in plenty of breastmilk and watch for dehydration. His fontonel (soft spot) will look sunk in if he's dehydrated. If so, take him to ER!

Answer 9

It is very normal. I just had my baby about 3 weeks ago. He is also breastfed and given formula. His poo is yellow in color and pretty runny. Babies who are given more breast milk than formula tend to have poo that looks seedy. I was concerned about the same thing and asked my doc about it. He told me the same thing that I am telling you now. If you are really worried about it, then by all means, get him seen to ease your mind. Newborns who are breastfed tend to poo quite a bit. I don't think it's anything to worry about, but to eliminate any seed of doubt, do what you feel is in his best interests. Good luck.

Answer 10

Most newborns have very watery stools and they are yellow (mustard) colored and very soft. Breastfed babies will also have white specks in the stool also. (But at first they are almost black and tar-like.) Newborns especially breastfed newborns can have 6-8 wet diapers and just as many dirty diapers in one day.

Hope this helps. Good luck and tell your sister congrats!