Babies occasionally making gurgling sounds in their abdomen is a normal physiological reaction, there is no need to overly worry, as this is a natural expression of gastrointestinal activity. When babies experience frequent flatulence, it may be due to a chill in the stomach, in such cases, enhancing warmth is more appropriate than medication intervention. Regarding the digestive performance of babies, it can be observed through their defecation:
For breastfed babies, the stool is usually yellow or golden yellow, soft in texture and odorless, defecating 2 to 4 times a day, sometimes up to 7 to 8 times. This frequent but non-abnormal defecation is known as physiological diarrhea, and as the baby grows, it will decrease on its own, so parents need not worry. In contrast, formula-fed babies have fewer bowel movements, typically 1 to 2 times a day, slightly odorous.
A newborn’s first bowel movement usually occurs within 10 to 12 hours after birth, appearing as dark green meconium. After a few days of feeding, the stool color transitions from greenish-yellow to yellow, marking a transitional phase of the digestive system adapting to food. It is worth noting that if a baby hasn’t defecated meconium within 24 hours of birth, or there is no normal stool after 5 days, prompt medical consultation is advised.
Some infants have frequent but small-volume bowel movements, green mucus-like stools with few curds, possibly due to overfeeding, adjusting the milk volume appropriately can help. If diarrhea persists after adjustment, it may be due to hunger diarrhea, in which case increasing the milk intake in moderation is recommended.
For babies primarily consuming milk, if the stool is hard, strong-smelling, it may indicate excessive milk intake and insufficient sugar; adding an appropriate amount of sugar to the milk can help. Conversely, excessive sugar may result in foamy, thin, and distinctly sour stools, in this case, reducing sugar and increasing the milk proportion is advised.
If a baby consistently passes grayish-white stools without ever having yellow stools, alongside yellow urine, it may signal a congenital biliary issue, requiring immediate medical examination. Additionally, when infants encounter gastrointestinal infections, presenting as frequent watery stools with mucus, foul odor, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, dehydration, immediate medical attention is necessary.
In conclusion, a baby’s digestive system is not fully developed, parents should observe changes in their signs but need not be overly anxious. Stomach noises and flatulence are common phenomena, as long as the baby’s diet is normal and there are no other adverse reactions, parents can be assured. Prompt medical attention is crucial upon noticing any abnormalities.
