Diarrhea in newborns can be a cause for concern for new parents. Often, depending on the cause of the diarrhea, the condition can be managed with proper home care. Knowing what to do when a newborn has diarrhea and understanding when to seek professional help can help calm anxious new parents. By following a few simple tips and increasing your knowledge of newborn diarrhea, you can feel confident helping your baby deal with the problem should it ever occur.
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Method 1 of 4: Seeking Help
Step 1. Call the doctor
Contact your child's pediatrician if you need answers to your questions or if you are unsure about your baby's condition.
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Newborns are very fragile, and can become dehydrated quickly. If you suspect that your baby is dehydrated or if the baby exhibits any of the following symptoms, contact the pediatrician immediately:
- Fever. Call your doctor if your body temperature is above 38°C in an infant under two months of age, or a temperature above 38.6°C in an infant over two months of age.
- Gag. Although vomiting and diarrhea often occur together at the time of a bacterial or viral illness, newborns are already at risk for dehydration and the risk is increased if both factors are present at the same time.
- Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, urinating less than six times a day, lethargy, sunken eyes, sunken crown (soft part of the head), no tears when crying, or dry skin.
- Diarrhea that lasts 24 hours or more or if there is blood in the vomit or stool.
- If the baby won't eat, is very irritable, or is very sleepy or difficult to wake up.
Step 2. Make an appointment with a doctor to treat the wound
Take your baby to the doctor if he has an open sore on his bottom that you can't handle on your own, or if his irritation doesn't seem to be getting better.
Sores on the buttocks from diarrhea are very common, but open sores can lead to infection if not treated properly. Your pediatrician can prescribe an ointment to relieve your baby's discomfort and prevent infection as well as help treat diarrhea so the sores don't get worse
Step 3. Make an appointment to discuss current issues
If your baby has recurring bouts of diarrhea, even if they aren't severe or accompanied by other symptoms, it's a good idea to schedule an appointment to discuss these issues with the doctor. That way, the doctor can help determine the underlying cause of the problem and provide clues to prevent similar problems in the future.
- Persistent diarrhea can be a sign of digestive problems, food intolerances or allergies (in newborns this can also include sensitivity to foods the mother eats if the baby is still breastfeeding, or allergies to ingredients in formula).
- Your pediatrician can also help calm concerns if you're not sure whether your baby has diarrhea or not. Don't hesitate if you want to bring one of the soiled diapers as a sample at your next appointment. Just put the diaper in a large clip plastic bag. The pediatrician will know for sure if your baby really has diarrhea.
Method 2 of 4: Deciding If Baby Has Diarrhea
Step 1. Know in advance what is considered normal
Newborns can produce stools of various textures, depending on the age of the baby and the diet, and loose stools, although watery is not always an indication of diarrhea.
- Since every baby's stool pattern is slightly different, it's important that you monitor your baby's pattern so you can spot it right away if something is abnormal. Most hospitals will provide you with charts to monitor your baby's feeding, urination, and bowel movements. If not, you can make notes in a journal or notepad. All you have to do is write down the date each morning, and record the start and end times of each meal, the time you change only the wet diaper, and the time you change the diaper that is soiled with feces throughout the day.
- In the first days of life, a newborn's stool is known as meconium, and it is sticky in texture, black or green in color, and has an asphalt-like consistency. This stool consists of substances that the baby swallows while in the womb, amniotic fluid which contains body cells.
- Once all the meconium has been removed from the baby's digestive system, the first stool produced from the baby's food will replace it. Babies who are breastfed and babies who are formula-fed will have different bowel patterns, and the appearance of their stools will also be different.
Step 2. Don't think a newborn's stool will be similar to an adult's
You may be surprised if your stools are mustard yellow or grainy, but in newborns this type of watery stool is considered normal.
- The stool of a breastfed newborn is usually bright yellow in color and grainy in texture, similar to dijon mustard or yellow like cottage cheese made from curd. All babies' digestive systems are different (depending partly on the mother's diet and baby's muscle tone) so that some breastfed babies will have a bowel movement after each feeding, while others only defecate every few days, or less often, even once a week! This is because breast milk is used very efficiently by the newborn's body so it doesn't leave a lot of waste to throw away.
- The stool of a formula-fed newborn is usually brown or yellowish in color and denser than that of a breastfed baby. The consistency is usually like soft peanut butter. The smell is also generally sharper. Formula-fed babies usually have bowel movements several times a day to several times a week.
Step 3. Recognize diarrhea in newborns
If you have studied your baby's bowel habits, it will be easier to recognize any deviations from his normal bowel pattern. In general, diarrhea in newborns has the following characteristics:
- Increased frequency of bowel movements (usually more than once after feeding).
- Increased amount of fluid or mucus in the stool. Call the pediatrician immediately if there is blood in the stool.
- Usually the stool volume is larger.
Method 3 of 4: Understanding Potential Causes
Step 1. Pay attention to the mother's diet
Although rare, the foods a nursing mother eats can affect a breast-fed baby causing temporary bouts of diarrhea.
Pay attention to what foods the mother eats the day before the baby has diarrhea. If the baby has another bout of diarrhea after the mother has eaten the same food again, remove it from the mother's diet as long as she continues to breastfeed her baby. Wait and see if the baby's condition improves. Suspicious foods usually include dairy, soy, wheat, or peanuts
Step 2. Pay attention to whether the baby has eaten different foods recently
Be aware that changing from breast milk to formula can cause diarrhea in newborns. The baby's digestive system is still not perfect so it is sensitive to new foods.
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If you recently introduced your baby to formula and he has diarrhea not long after getting this new food, the reason may be that the baby's digestive system is reacting to the sudden change. If this happens, you can choose to:
- Stop giving formula milk to the baby. Wait until the baby's digestive system is a little more complete before introducing formula again, in the meantime continue breastfeeding.
- Try to introduce formula at a slower pace. Slowly add more formula and reduce breastfeeding until baby is able to digest the desired amount of formula.
Step 3. Consider whether there are other additions to the baby's diet
While newborns shouldn't be given solid foods before six months of age, every time you introduce a new food to your baby, it can upset their digestive system for a while.
- Pay close attention to how your baby reacts each time a new food is introduced and remember to introduce one new food at a time at least three to four days at a time. This may be the only way to determine if your baby is having a reaction to a new food.
- Be sure to discuss with your pediatrician before introducing any new food to your baby, or before introducing any food other than breast milk or formula before six months of age.
Step 4. Watch for signs of disease
Watch the baby closely and watch for other signs that may indicate disease.
- Fever and runny nose or vomiting usually indicate that diarrhea is the result of some kind of illness caused by bacteria or viruses. You should call your pediatrician right away if a newborn two months old or younger has a fever. Fever accompanied by diarrhea is very dangerous because very young babies can quickly become dehydrated.
- Also, if other family members also have diarrhea, the cause is most likely an infection, or less likely, food poisoning.
Step 5. Know other factors that can cause changes in stool
Changes in bowel frequency and texture are most likely diarrhea, but other changes suggest other possible causes.
- Babies who take medications, including vitamins or supplements, may experience changes in bowel frequency and stool texture. Antibiotics often cause diarrhea. If diarrhea persists or gets worse, you may need to stop taking the medicine and replace it with another medicine.
- You should not give water or juice to babies under six months of age. They get all the water they need from breast milk or formula, and too much extra water can thin their blood and damage their kidneys, leading to serious complications or even death. However, giving water or juice to babies is also known to cause changes in bowel patterns.
- Teething can also cause diarrhea and is thought to be triggered by excessive saliva production during the teething process. Although uncommon, newborns may experience early teething, which can result in diarrhea.
Method 4 of 4: Deciding What to Do
Step 1. Change your baby's formula
Talk to your pediatrician if your newborn is formula-fed and triggers diarrhea. Maybe you just need to find the right formula for your baby.
- Often parents have to try several different types of formula before finding the right one for their baby. While most babies thrive on milk-based formulas, others need special formulas including lactose-free and soy-based milk. In general, babies who have a sensitivity to formula milk are often bloated and fussy.
- For babies who have weak or underdeveloped digestive systems or are really allergic to milk, there are special formulas made for sensitive stomachs. The formula milk in question includes milk made from broken down proteins or elemental formula milk. Discuss with your doctor for recommendations. Some of these formulas can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription.
- Talk to your pediatrician before changing your baby's formula.
Step 2. Keep your baby hydrated
Whether your baby is breast-fed or formula-fed, it is important to increase the amount of milk you give your baby when he has diarrhea or vomiting as both can cause dehydration very quickly in such a tiny body.
- If you usually give breast milk or formula every three hours, try to give him milk every two hours or even an hour. Newborns can't drink too much breast milk or formula at once, especially when they're sick.
- If the baby is vomiting, give less milk at a time, but give more often.
- Do not give your baby water or diluted formula. This is especially dangerous for newborns because water can thin the blood and cause kidney failure. To increase the amount of fluid in your body, you should increase your intake of breast milk or formula alone.
Step 3. Monitor the baby's condition closely
Diarrhea can cause dehydration quite quickly. Any bout of diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours indicates that the baby needs medical help. If you notice signs of a dry diaper for more than six hours or your baby doesn't shed any tears when crying, that's a clear indication that the baby is dehydrated. Seek medical help immediately.
- Discuss with the pediatrician the possibility of giving the baby intravenous fluids as a way to temporarily restore the baby's body fluids. Infusion fluids that can be used include Pedialyte and Enfalyte as well as several other brands. Giving intravenous fluids is very useful if the baby is vomiting.
- The pediatrician may also recommend giving probiotics to help restore the natural bacteria count in the baby's digestive tract.
Step 4. Be aware that a baby's bottom can be very sore and irritated
It is not impossible that diarrhea attacks cause the baby's bottom to really hurt because of an open wound. Extra care is needed to prevent this from happening.
- Apply a diaper rash cream or petroleum-based product such as Vaseline or Aquaphor to the baby's bottom and genital area to prevent further irritation.
- Keep baby's bottom always clean and dry. Sometimes, no matter how often you change diapers, your baby's bottom will still be red and sore. Diarrhea can be harsh on sensitive skin. Change diapers immediately and carefully remove dirt from the skin. The longer the skin is exposed to the irritant, the better the condition of the skin.
- Change the baby's diaper, clean the bottom, and let the baby lie on the blanket without wearing a diaper. Fresh air may help relieve diaper rash. Avoid rubbing the baby's bottom excessively. Sensitive baby skin can become very sore if it is rubbed excessively suddenly.
- Call your pediatrician if you notice a rash in the genital area, skin folds or thigh area as this could be a sign of a fungal diaper rash. Often the skin condition becomes very red, and a red rash may appear that spreads from the red area. You should ask for a prescription medication for yeast diaper rash.
- Avoid using unnecessary cleansers to clean baby's bottom at this time. Try to buy a cleanser specifically designed to soothe sensitive skin. Organic products, even if you don't normally use them, are worth trying to help relieve irritation.
- Switch to using extra-soft, chemical-free wet wipes while your baby has diarrhea. You can also try soaking the wet wipes you're currently using in clean water to remove some of the irritating ingredients before using them to wipe your baby's bottom, or using a piece of soft flannel soaked in water plus a tablespoon of coconut oil. You can also use a clean washcloth with warm water to clean the diaper area.
