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Diarrhea

The causes of diarrhea are varied. It can be induced by anything that irritates the intestines, ranging from an infection to a new food that doesn't agree with the baby.

• When this happens, the baby will begin to pass very watery stools because the irritation prevents the intestines from working efficiently. The fluids that are lost, due to the diarrhea, can cause a baby to suffer from dehydration.

• A common cause of diarrhea is intestinal infections, which can be caused by bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli.
• They can also be caused by parasites or by viruses such as the rotavirus.
• Diarrhea may also be caused by water borne diseases, which are contracted by drinking water that has been contaminated with sewage.
• Diarrhea can also be caused by medications given to the baby or can occur as their diet is changed.
• One common cause of diarrhea in babies is the addition of sugar to their diet.
• Physical problems can also cause diarrhea. Frequent, recurring bouts of diarrhea may indicate that your baby suffers from an allergy that prevents them from absorbing their food properly.
• Recurring diarrhea may also indicate that your baby has functional diarrhea, for which the cause may not be readily apparent.

Dehydration occurs when the body loses sufficient amounts of water so that its function becomes impaired. If your baby becomes dehydrated, steps must be taken to ensure that they are rehydrated. If they become seriously dehydrated, they should be seen by a doctor immediately, as severe dehydration can lead to kidney failure, seizures, and even death. Signs of serious dehydration can include:

• Sunken eyes
• Inability to urine
• Pale, dry skin
• Lack of tears when they cry
• The mouth and the nose dry out.
• The lips may become parched and crack.
• Listlessness

Most cases of diarrhea resolve themselves on their own in a few days, without any treatment other than ensuring that the baby drinks plenty of fluids. However in a baby under six months of age, you should contact your doctor to discuss the situation as diarrhea can have a more serious effect upon them, than with older children.

Signs that your baby's diarrhea has advanced to being a serious condition include:

• They have blood in their stools
• If there is a lot of mucus in the stool
• If your baby's belly becomes distended or very sore
• Call if they appear to be in distress or severe pain
• If the diarrhea is accompanied by a fever and vomiting – call your doctor, this can be a sign of a gastrointestinal infection such as food poisoning. In addition, fever and vomiting greatly increase the risk of dehydration.
• If your baby has any of the signs of severe dehydration call your doctor immediately!

Never give a baby an anti-diarrhea medicine without first speaking with your doctor. Babies do not always react to medications that same way as adults.

Most babies fed on breast milk or formula will have stools that are soft and easy to pass. Constipation occurs when the stool remains in the intestines longer than normal.

• In the intestines, water is withdrawn from the stool, therefore the longer it remains inside, the drier and harder it can get. This in turn can make it harder and more painful for the baby to pass the stool.

While it is rare for milk fed babies to become constipated, it can occur due to a change in formula or from the introduction of new foods such as cereals.

• Constipation in infants can also occur as a result of a fever.
• It can occur in response to some medications.
• Constipation can also be a sign of a medical problem.
• Stress or inactivity can also trigger it.

If your baby cries when passing a stool and if the stools are hard, this is usually a sign of constipation.

Add more fluids to your baby's diet or maybe a tiny amount of prune juice. If the problem continues or recurs frequently, contact your doctor to rule out the possibility of a more serious problem.

• Never give a baby an enema or a suppository unless prescribed by a doctor.