In the early stages of infancy, because the digestive system is not fully developed, indigestion is a common phenomenon. Parents often evaluate the absorption efficacy of breast milk or formula by observing their baby’s stool. This is especially true for two-month-old babies, whose thin stools can worry parents. However, this situation does not necessarily indicate diarrhea.
Newborns have limited digestive and absorption capabilities, and many inadequately absorbed foods will be expelled with their stool. As the baby grows and their digestive abilities improve, their stools will gradually become thicker, and the frequency of bowel movements will correspondingly decrease. As long as the baby is lively and healthy, frequently requests to eat, keeps their diaper moist, and receives sufficient hydration through breast milk or formula, generally, thin stools should not be a major concern.
However, not all cases of thin stools are considered normal. When a baby’s stool remains persistently thin, accompanied by fever, cough, vomiting, abdominal bloating, refusing food, and if the stool appears watery or like egg drop soup with no unusual odor, it may indicate diarrhea and medical advice should be sought promptly.
The frequency and consistency of a baby’s stools are a direct reflection of their digestive function, so mothers should be attentive to any changes in order to identify digestive issues in a timely manner. For example, if the stool has a distinct foul odor, it may indicate protein malabsorption, and the milk intake should be moderately reduced; if there is a lot of foam in the stool, it might suggest carbohydrate digestion issues, so starchy foods should be limited; if the stool is creamy, it could indicate fat malabsorption, requiring a reduction in fat intake.
When faced with the issue of thin stools in babies, the key is to identify the cause. If a breastfed baby is experiencing this, the mother should adjust her diet by reducing spicy and stimulating foods, opting for a lighter diet to help improve the baby’s digestive condition.
