Stomach problems in a newborn baby are not uncommon. And the different types of pathologies simply cannot be counted. But any of them brings the young mother into a state of panic. And not all digestive disorders in a child are functional. So, for example, loose stools with mucus can indicate quite serious health problems in the baby.
Stool disorder in a baby (otherwise it is also called diarrhea) can be associated with various reasons. Especially often this problem occurs in babies who are breastfed. Doctors often assess the health of a baby not only by the consistency of feces, but also by various impurities that may be found in it.
The presence of mucus in a child's stool is not always a pathology. Sometimes it's pretty natural. Indeed, in this way, the child's intestines remove acids and alkalis from the stomach. However, it is necessary to very clearly understand when the situation is critical and the help of a doctor is required.
Causes of the appearance of a stool with mucus in a child
If the baby is breastfed, the mother's malnutrition may be the cause of mucus-laden bowel movements. So, for example, if a woman is very addicted to sweet or fatty foods, and also to eat food that is contraindicated for breastfeeding, the child will have digestive problems.
In some cases, mothers are advised to be tested for milk sterility. After all, there are often cases when pathogenic microflora is found in it, which negatively affects the health of the baby. True, such a diagnosis does not at all mean that you will have to end lactation. It is enough just to undergo the treatment prescribed by the doctors.
Problematic stools in a child can also appear with lactose intolerance. In this case, you have to give up breastfeeding, replacing it with lactose-free formulas.
Often, the child has problems with stool during the introduction of complementary foods. So, for example, if a baby does not tolerate some vegetables or fruits, his intestines can very quickly respond to this with a functional disorder.
Stool mucus and diarrhea can develop after antibiotic treatment. The immunity of a small child is still very weak, so it is as easy as shelling pears to get infected with an infection that requires such a serious treatment. The situation in this case is corrected by taking bifidopreparations.
Sometimes doctors note the upset of the stool and the appearance of mucus in it against the background of various changes in the baby's life. For example, he is experiencing stress, is constantly agitated, changed the climate, regime of the day, is sick.
Diarrhea can be the result of normal overeating. After all, if a child receives an excess amount of food, his body is not yet able to adequately process the excess. So they appear in the form of loose stools and fragments of mucus in it.
Stool problems can also be a symptom of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastroenteritis or colitis.
When mucus in your stool is dangerous
The dangerous nature of mucus is indicated by its frequent appearance in the baby's feces. In addition, the number of such secretions is of no small importance. So, for example, if fragments of mucus are noticeable and large enough in size, this is an occasion to show the baby to the doctor.
If your child has the following symptoms:
- green mucus in the stool;
- watery and excessively loose stools;
- frequent bowel movements (at least 6 times a day);
- unpleasant smell of feces;
- increased body temperature at the same time, then it can be argued that the baby has some kind of intestinal infection. By itself, it may not be as dangerous as the complications that the infection causes. Especially scary for babies is dehydration, which develops quickly enough against the background of loss of fluid in the feces. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to the baby's drinking regime. Be sure to add supplementation with water or an electrolytic solution to restore salts in the body. Treatment should be prescribed by a doctor.
