Why is there water in the stool of a newborn baby?

In our lives, many newborns' stools are not particularly normal, especially for those who are breastfed. Their stools may be thinner and look more delicate. However, some newborns have watery stools due to immature gastrointestinal function. In this case, the child must be treated in time. So what is the matter with watery stools in newborns?

Newborn baby stools come in a variety of shapes and colors, and the frequency of bowel movements also varies. Before the addition of complementary foods, the stools of newborns are yellow and fine. After the addition of complementary foods, as the types of food increase, the stools gradually become similar to those of adults. The shape of a newborn's stool can reflect the newborn's health status to a certain extent. Below, the editor will introduce to you why newborn baby's stool contains water.

The meconium of newborns is usually discharged within 3 to 4 days after birth and now turns into normal yellow stool. If the newborn is breastfed, the stool will be golden yellow and watery. If the newborn is completely fed with milk or formula, the stool will be light yellow, often dry and can accumulate. For those who are mixed-fed, the stool characteristics are between the above two. The number of bowel movements of a newborn baby is uncertain, generally 2 to 5 times a day. Breastfed newborns have more bowel movements. Some newborns have bowel movements on their diapers every time they change their diapers. If the stool is relatively uniform, not much water, does not contain mucus, or occasionally contains a few milk lumps, this is normal.

Watery stools in newborns are more common in autumn and winter, and are mostly caused by enterovirus infection. Newborns usually have more than 10 bowel movements a day, and their bowel movements are watery and large in volume. Because children lose a lot of water, they often show symptoms of dehydration such as dry lips, sunken eye sockets, few or no tears, little or no urination, poor skin elasticity, etc. Newborns may also show symptoms such as lack of energy, spitting up milk, and not wanting to eat. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible, and attention should be paid to the disinfection of newborn utensils such as rubber nipples.

Sometimes your baby's stools increase in volume and frequency, and may seem to squirt out of his bottom. These are symptoms of diarrhea. However, breastfed babies are less likely to get diarrhea because breast milk helps to fight the bacteria that cause diarrhea.

Babies who are fed formula are more susceptible to diarrhea, so be sure to sterilize feeding equipment and wash your hands thoroughly and often. Your baby's diarrhea may be caused by an infection such as gastroenteritis, eating too much fruit or juice, teething, the effects of current medications, or an allergy or sensitivity to a certain food.

Generally, watery stools in newborns should not require treatment and will stop within 24 hours. But if this is not the case, take your baby to see a doctor. If you think the formula is to blame, it is best to consult your pediatrician to see if there are other causes before changing the formula.