Is Your Baby's Stool Normal After Gastroenteritis? Baby's Digestive Health

Is the baby experiencing diarrhea?

Hello, Dr.
Hsiao: My baby is now just eight months old.
Before having gastroenteritis, his stools were firm and shaped like logs, occasionally passing pellet-like stools.
However, during the gastroenteritis, he had watery stools with a sour smell.
Now that the gastroenteritis has resolved, his stools are pasty and appear shiny, with a normal color and a foul smell, but without a sour odor.
Is this considered diarrhea? He only has a bowel movement every 2 to 3 days, and it is pasty.
Could this be related to his diet? When he had gastroenteritis, I only fed him plain rice porridge, which was a bit watery, and I diluted his formula milk.
Once he improved, I gave him regular formula milk, but the next day he had watery stools that were slightly sour.
Since then, I have been making thicker brown rice porridge and reducing the formula by one tablespoon, but his stools remain pasty with a foul smell and no sour odor.
Is this considered diarrhea? What should normal stools look like for an eight-month-old baby? Should they be soft-formed or pasty? Is it now appropriate to give my baby Ad probiotic?

Zhuang Tai Tai, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2012/10/27

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics

If the stool has a higher water content than normal, it is considered diarrhea.
Moreover, if your baby has watery and slightly acidic stools the day after consuming regular formula, it indicates that the gastroenteritis has not fully resolved.
It may be insufficient to dilute half lactose formula.
It is recommended that if dairy products are necessary, switch directly to lactose-free formula for diarrhea (which does not require dilution).
Additionally, half formula should not be used for more than a week to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
Probiotics can be supplemented for gastroenteritis.

Reply Date: 2012/10/27

More Info

When it comes to understanding your baby's stool after experiencing gastroenteritis, it's essential to consider several factors, including the consistency, frequency, and overall health of your baby. Gastroenteritis, commonly known as stomach flu, can lead to significant changes in a baby's bowel movements, and it's not uncommon for parents to be concerned about what is considered "normal" after such an episode.

In your case, your baby, who is now eight months old, had hard, formed stools before the gastroenteritis, which is typical for infants who are starting to eat solid foods. After the illness, you noted that the stools became watery and had a foul smell, which is characteristic of diarrhea. Now that the gastroenteritis has resolved, your baby is passing stools that are mushy and somewhat oily, with a normal color but a strong odor.

To determine if your baby's current stool is still considered diarrhea, we need to look at the definition of diarrhea in infants. Diarrhea is generally defined as an increase in the frequency of bowel movements (more than three times a day) and a change in the consistency of the stool to a watery form. In your case, since your baby is having mushy stools every two to three days, it may not strictly qualify as diarrhea, especially if the frequency has returned to a more typical pattern for your baby.

The consistency of a baby's stool can vary significantly based on their diet. For an eight-month-old, stools can range from soft to mushy, especially if they are consuming a diet that includes pureed fruits, vegetables, and grains. The fact that you have been feeding your baby rice porridge, which is often more watery, could contribute to the mushy consistency of the stool. Additionally, the introduction of formula milk in varying concentrations can also affect stool consistency.

It's also worth noting that after an episode of gastroenteritis, some babies may experience a temporary change in bowel habits, known as post-infectious diarrhea. This condition can last for several weeks after the initial illness and is usually self-limiting. If your baby is otherwise healthy, gaining weight, and not showing signs of dehydration (such as dry mouth, decreased urination, or lethargy), then the changes in stool may not be a cause for concern.

Regarding the use of probiotics, such as Adobi probiotics, they can be beneficial in restoring gut flora after an episode of gastroenteritis. Probiotics can help in normalizing bowel movements and may reduce the duration of diarrhea. However, it's always best to consult with your pediatrician before introducing any new supplements to ensure they are appropriate for your baby's specific health needs.

In summary, while your baby's current stool consistency may be different from what it was before the gastroenteritis, it may not necessarily indicate a problem, especially if the frequency has normalized and there are no other concerning symptoms. If you have ongoing concerns or if your baby's stool changes significantly again, it would be wise to consult your pediatrician for further evaluation and guidance.

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