When breastfeeding infants and young children, it is advisable to follow the principle of eating small meals frequently, gradually increasing the feeding amount to avoid digestive problems in babies due to excessive intake at once. Parents should closely monitor the baby’s stool condition, and if any abnormalities are found, promptly identify the cause and take corresponding measures.
Infants breastfed usually have stools of a light mustard color with seed-like particles, having a soft texture that will persist until the introduction of solid foods. In contrast, formula-fed infants have stools in yellow-brown color with a firmer texture.
Whether breastfed or formula-fed, if a baby’s stool hardens or dries out, it may indicate inadequate water intake, possibly related to illness, high fever, or hot weather. As babies start trying solid foods, stool hardening may also be due to ingesting indigestible foods like grains and cow’s milk (recommended after 12 months).
It is worth noting that occasional changes in stool color and texture are usually normal occurrences, such as consuming large amounts of grains or hard-to-digest foods turning stool green, iron supplementation making stool appear dark brown, or minor anal fissures causing bloody stool.
However, if stool shows a significant amount of blood, mucus, or abnormally watery, immediate consultation with a pediatrician is advised. Diarrhea is characterized by a sudden increase in bowel movements and higher water content, possibly resulting from intestinal infections or dietary changes. Diarrhea in breastfed infants may be related to changes in the mother’s diet.
Dehydration is the most concerning consequence of diarrhea, especially when accompanied by fever in infants under two months, prompt medical attention is necessary. For older infants, if a fever lasts more than a day, monitoring urine output and body temperature and informing the doctor about these observations for appropriate guidance is essential.
Each infant has different defecation habits, and many infants may have bowel movements shortly after feeding, which is a normal gastrointestinal response and should not cause excessive worry.
