Patient's question:
My child has only been born for two days and has only drunk some breast milk, some formula milk, and some water. Why is their stomach upset?Doctor's answer:
Stool of newborns:Breastfed infants: The stool is golden yellow, soft, and has a uniform consistency, resembling soft butter. Occasionally, it may be slightly thin and greenish but has an acidic odor without being foul. The average daily stool output is one to four times. If the child normally has four to five bowel movements daily, or even seven to eight, but is otherwise in good health and gaining weight, this is not considered pathological.
Formula-fed infants: The stool is light yellow, drier, and more abundant, with a faint putrid odor and sometimes mixed with curdled milk. If the child has only one to two bowel movements daily, constipation may be suspected.
(Reference: Adapted from Dr. Xu Jide's "Pediatric Internal Medicine," 3rd Edition.)
My summary on diarrhea: I hope this helps you. The most common causes of diarrhea in infants are indigestion and intestinal inflammation.
Generally, if a child's stool contains bubbles, it often indicates indigestion. Only when digestion is poor and food residue increases can fermentation by intestinal bacteria produce gas, leading to bubbly stool. Additionally, bubbles in the stool may also be related to excessive air swallowed due to prolonged crying.
If the child also vomits, and the vomit has an acidic odor or contains undigested milk curds, or if there is abdominal distension (the abdomen appears higher than the chest when lying flat), with bubbly stool but no mucus or blood, and the stool is only more frequent but still yellow or slightly greenish and mushy or watery, it is likely indigestion. In such cases, digestive water can be given to aid digestion, or probiotics like "Mama's Love" can be used to regulate intestinal flora, along with anti-diarrheal medications like Smecta.
If the child also vomits severely, even immediately after eating, or has intermittent crying that subsides on its own, and the stool appears significantly altered—such as resembling egg drop soup, watery, or containing mucus—it suggests intestinal inflammation, which requires prompt medical attention. A stool test can help diagnose this condition.
If the child has persistent crying during diarrhea, appears lethargic, and the stool resembles tomato pulp, intestinal intussusception should be suspected. If the stool also has a very foul odor, necrotizing enteritis should be.
Some children may develop diarrhea after drinking cold tea. If the child has indeed consumed cold tea before the diarrhea, this is more likely the cause. It is advisable to avoid giving excessive cold tea to children in the future.
Improper introduction of complementary foods can also cause diarrhea, such as adding food too quickly, too much, or too early.
Care tips:
- When intestinal inflammation affects digestion, enzyme preparations like pepsin or digestive water (e.g., "Shidele" digestive water) can be given.
- If the child is formula-fed, specialized diarrhea formula should be used. If unavailable, the milk can be diluted.
- For breastfed infants, the lactating mother should follow a light but nutritious diet, avoiding greasy foods. The mother can also take "Changlekang" to aid recovery, as I advocate "mother-child co-treatment" for diarrhea.
Additionally, frequent bowel movements can cause discomfort to the child's buttocks. Avoid wrapping the buttocks too tightly to prevent chills, but ensure minimal exposure. When cleaning, use water instead of cloth—gently press rather than rub to prevent irritation, as delicate skin can easily break, causing severe crying. If the child cries uncontrollably, check for redness in the buttocks, as this may indicate discomfort.
To prevent diaper rash, apply a layer of ointment (e.g., tetracycline ointment or eye ointment) after each cleaning.
Does this explanation address your question?