Patient's question:
My daughter is almost two months old and has been exclusively breastfed. Last week, she had some diarrhea with six episodes. The hospital test showed 13 white blood cells, but no E. coli. However, in recent days, her bowel movements sometimes contain blood streaks, and the frequency of green stools has increased.Doctor's answer:
The stool is red, indicating lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Common causes of blood in the stool, often due to heat in the blood, include anal fissures, hemorrhoids, or rectal polyps. Due to differences in age, dietary habits, and bowel habits, the frequency of bowel movements varies daily. The way and method of feeding a child also differ, leading to different bowel movement characteristics.Children on formula feeding may have yellow or yellowish stools that are hard and dry. They often do not stain their diapers. The sugar in milk can soften the stool, giving it a slight rotten smell.
Breastfed infants typically have normal-looking yellow or golden yellow stools that are uniform and pasty, with a slightly sweet and sour odor but no strong smell. There is no obvious mucus, and occasionally, small curds or faint greenish streaks may be present.