Is Your Baby's Increased Bowel Movement a Sign of Diarrhea?
If a baby has an increased frequency of bowel movements, does it indicate diarrhea? Hello Dr. Hsiao, thank you for taking the time to read my question. My baby is over five months old and has been drinking Nestlé Nan Hydrolyzed formula since birth. Currently, he consumes 210cc at...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The increase in the frequency and water content of stools compared to previous patterns is, by definition, indicative of gastroenteritis-related diarrhea. If this persists for more than two weeks, it may be classified as chronic gastroenteritis, and it is advisable to consult a p...[Read More] Is Your Baby's Increased Bowel Movement a Sign of Diarrhea?
Blood on Toilet Paper: What to Do When Your Child Has a Rectal Issue
Blood when wiping the buttocks? Hello Doctor: My daughter is over three years old, and recently while helping her wipe, I noticed blood on the toilet paper. I found that there is a foreign object near her anus that has broken the skin and is bleeding. Should I take her to a pedia...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
It is recommended to first consult the pediatric surgery department at a major hospital, and if necessary, a referral can be made to a smaller surgical facility.[Read More] Blood on Toilet Paper: What to Do When Your Child Has a Rectal Issue
Understanding Infant Constipation: When to Worry and What to Do
Bowel issues Hello Dr. Hsiao, my baby has just turned four months old and is formula-fed. Previously, his bowel movements were normal, occurring once a day or every other day. However, he recently caught a mild cold and after seeing the doctor and taking medication, he hasn'...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Generally, "normal" cold medications should not affect bowel movements. In principle, it is considered normal for infants to go three days without a bowel movement. If they occasionally exceed three days before having a bowel movement, as long as the stool is not liquid...[Read More] Understanding Infant Constipation: When to Worry and What to Do
Understanding Infant Stool Leakage: Causes and Solutions for Parents
Infant fecal incontinence My baby is almost two months old. He previously had blood in his stool, and the doctor advised to stop breastfeeding and start with hypoallergenic formula. Once his condition improved, we gradually increased the breastfeeding to four times a day, but the...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
It is normal for infants under one or two months old to have multiple watery stools shortly after breastfeeding. However, as they begin to absorb more nutrients, they may only have a bowel movement every few days. If this pattern of watery stools continues after two months, it is...[Read More] Understanding Infant Stool Leakage: Causes and Solutions for Parents
Why Is My Baby Having Watery Stools After Switching to Lactose-Free Formula?
Drinking lactose-free milk powder can cause diarrhea? Hello Doctor, my baby is currently one month and 24 days old. Initially, we were using Abbott's hydrolyzed protein formula, but he had a bowel movement every two days and his stools were somewhat hard. We then switched to...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello, the purpose of lactose-free formula is to prevent diarrhea, and most babies do not experience diarrhea after consuming it. It is more likely that the formula is not suitable (intolerance) for them, or they may coincidentally have gastroenteritis. You can visit the hospital...[Read More] Why Is My Baby Having Watery Stools After Switching to Lactose-Free Formula?
Can Newborns Drink Water? Addressing Constipation in Formula-Fed Babies
Newborns drinking water? Hello Doctor, my baby is currently 10 days old and is exclusively formula-fed, drinking about 60-80 cc of Snow Brand formula every 4 hours. He hasn't had a bowel movement for two consecutive days and has been straining without success. On the third n...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Breast milk is already rich in nutrients and water, which is sufficient for a ten-day-old newborn. However, after feeding, you can let the baby take a sip or two of water to rinse their mouth, with the aim of cleaning the oral cavity. You may first try some physical methods, such...[Read More] Can Newborns Drink Water? Addressing Constipation in Formula-Fed Babies
Understanding Constipation in Formula-Fed Newborns: What Parents Should Know
Gastrointestinal issues Hello, doctor. Today is the 9th day since my son was born. He had elevated jaundice levels, so he stayed in the hospital for an extra day for phototherapy, and we brought him home when his levels dropped to 9. While he was in the hospital, he had a bowel m...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
It is acceptable for babies who are formula-fed to have a bowel movement frequency that changes from two to three times a day to once every two to three days, as long as the stool consistency is not excessively hard. Therefore, as long as the infant is not experiencing any discom...[Read More] Understanding Constipation in Formula-Fed Newborns: What Parents Should Know
Understanding Baby's Bowel Movements: Breastfeeding and Solid Foods
Issues with stool in exclusively breastfed infants with complementary foods? Hello Doctor: My baby is almost 7 months old and is still exclusively breastfed. He/she eats half a bowl of rice porridge and fruit puree daily, but hasn't had a bowel movement for five days. Is thi...
Dr. Zhang Yingwen Reply:
1. The bowel habits of infants consuming complementary foods are generally similar to those of others; therefore, please observe for signs of abdominal distension, excessive crying, or decreased appetite. If these occur, please visit a pediatric outpatient clinic. 2. You may us...[Read More] Understanding Baby's Bowel Movements: Breastfeeding and Solid Foods
Understanding and Treating Encopresis in Children: A Guide for Parents
Regarding the issue of fecal incontinence? Hello Dr. Hsiao: Previously, I asked you about my younger brother who experiences some watery discharge from the anus before having a bowel movement, and you mentioned that this is likely referred to as "overflow incontinence."...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
You can first go to the hospital for an abdominal X-ray to check if there is a significant amount of fecal impaction in the intestines. If necessary, a glycerin enema may be administered to relieve constipation (this will help to expel any hard stool at the anal opening; otherwis...[Read More] Understanding and Treating Encopresis in Children: A Guide for Parents
Is This Diarrhea? Understanding Pediatric Bowel Changes After Illness
Is this considered diarrhea? Hello Dr. Hsiao: My younger brother had a cold last week and was taking medication for it. During that time, I noticed that before he had a bowel movement, there would be some mucus-like discharge with a stool color, which was in clumps. I thought thi...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
This condition is commonly referred to as "overflow diarrhea," which usually occurs when hard stools become impacted at the anal opening, allowing only small amounts of liquid stool to seep out. Therefore, this is not diarrhea; rather, it may indicate hard stools or eve...[Read More] Is This Diarrhea? Understanding Pediatric Bowel Changes After Illness
Understanding Constipation in 5-Month-Old Infants: Causes and Solutions
Five-month-old infant bowel movement issues? My baby is five and a half months old and is exclusively breastfed. She often strains very hard to have a bowel movement but is unable to do so, sometimes even vomiting up her milk from the effort. I've noticed that her anus is so...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: To address constipation issues, you can first try massaging the child's abdomen in a clockwise direction (around the navel as the center). For infants and young children, you may use a rectal thermometer or a finger to stimulate the anus. Ensure adequate hydration and...[Read More] Understanding Constipation in 5-Month-Old Infants: Causes and Solutions
Assessing Nutritional Intake and Digestive Issues in Preterm Infants
Nutritional intake量 Hello, My daughter was born at 35 weeks with a birth weight of 1980g. Her corrected age is now 10 months. She has started supplementary foods, and her total daily milk intake is approximately 300cc. She receives solid foods three times a day (for example, up...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Born at 35 weeks gestation with a birth weight of only 1980g, this infant meets the definition of "intrauterine growth restriction." At a corrected age of 10 months, the height and weight can reach the 15th percentile, indicating that growth may be catching up to that o...[Read More] Assessing Nutritional Intake and Digestive Issues in Preterm Infants
Understanding Blood in Stool: What Parents Should Know
Blood in the stool in children? Dear Doctor, my child is currently 4 years old and has had bright red blood in his stool for two consecutive days. The stool has been formed and brown in color, without any black coloration. He has a bowel movement at least once every two days, las...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Klein, Hello, the most common cause of blood in the stool in a 4-year-old child is constipation combined with anal fissures. Other possible causes include bacterial enteritis, diverticulitis, polyps, coagulopathy, and other gastrointestinal tumors. The physician will perfor...[Read More] Understanding Blood in Stool: What Parents Should Know
Managing Baby Constipation: Tips for Hydration and Skin Care
Baby constipation Hello, doctor. My baby is currently over 8 months old and has recently lost interest in drinking water, which has led to constipation. He has bowel movements about 2 to 3 times a day, and each time it is a hard stool. However, if I add some freshly squeezed juic...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
For infants with constipation, in addition to giving juice, once the baby has started eating solid foods, it is recommended to provide high-fiber foods such as vegetable purees and fruit purees (long-term consumption of sweeter, low-fiber juices is not advisable as it may lead to...[Read More] Managing Baby Constipation: Tips for Hydration and Skin Care
Can Japanese Encephalitis and Meningococcal Vaccines Be Given Together?
Is it possible to administer the Japanese encephalitis vaccine and the meningococcal vaccine simultaneously? Hello Dr. Hsiao, I apologize for taking up your valuable time again. My child is scheduled to receive the third dose of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine this week, and I ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
According to the regulations of the Centers for Disease Control, the Japanese encephalitis vaccine and the polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine (MPSV4) are both inactivated vaccines that can be administered simultaneously (at separate injection sites) or spaced apart at any inter...[Read More] Can Japanese Encephalitis and Meningococcal Vaccines Be Given Together?
Understanding Rectal Issues in Toddlers: Hemorrhoids or Fissures?
My two-year-and-two-month-old daughter has a lump around her anus that seems to be either hemorrhoids or an anal fissure? Hello Doctor, my daughter is 2 years and 2 months old. She has been experiencing constipation for more than 3-4 days at a time, and I'm unsure if it'...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The round, elongated lump is likely not an anal fissure; it may be caused by long-term friction resulting in an external hemorrhoid, or it could be soft tissue from inside the anus slightly protruding (it's difficult to say without seeing it). It is recommended to consult a ...[Read More] Understanding Rectal Issues in Toddlers: Hemorrhoids or Fissures?
Understanding Fever, Rash, and Diarrhea in Young Children: A Guide for Parents
Fever, rash, and diarrhea in children? My child will turn one at the end of August. Last Saturday at 9 AM, he received two vaccinations for chickenpox and measles. Before the shots, I felt that his temperature was slightly elevated, but I didn't measure it at that time. Afte...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The following is a brief overview of diseases associated with fever and rash in infants and young children (refer to items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5): 1. Measles 2. Rubella 3. Scarlet Fever 4. Roseola Infantum 5. Kawasaki Disease **Age of Onset:** 1. > 6 months 2. > 6 months 3. > ...[Read More] Understanding Fever, Rash, and Diarrhea in Young Children: A Guide for Parents
Understanding Toe Walking in Children: When to Seek Medical Advice
Children walking on their tiptoes? Hello Doctor: My daughter is now 6 years old. Since she started walking, she has been walking on her tiptoes. I initially thought she was just having fun, but I have noticed that her balance is significantly worse than that of other children her...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Xiao Ai, Hello! After a child learns to walk, it is indeed concerning if they frequently walk on tiptoes, as this improper walking pattern can lead to conditions such as pes planus (flatfoot) and may affect their stability while walking, potentially causing spinal deformiti...[Read More] Understanding Toe Walking in Children: When to Seek Medical Advice
Breastfed Babies and Constipation: What Parents Need to Know
Can breastfed babies also experience constipation? My baby has been having irregular bowel movements, about once every six days. Although she is active, I am still very worried. Could it be because I have been eating too much spicy or hot food? My older child was breastfed as wel...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: The characteristics of breast milk stools can vary significantly; some infants may have multiple bowel movements in a day, while others may only have one every few days. This is because the baby absorbs the milk completely, and the excess fluid is excreted through urine, w...[Read More] Breastfed Babies and Constipation: What Parents Need to Know
Addressing Constipation Issues in Toddlers: When to Seek Medical Help
The baby is 2 years old now... bowel movement issues? My baby has had a problem with hard stools since a young age. Now that he is 2 years old, there has been no improvement, and he often has bowel movements that result in bleeding from the anus. Additionally, his stools are extr...
Dr. Zhang Yingwen Reply:
It is recommended to consult a pediatrician, especially a pediatric gastroenterologist who specializes in this area. Early diagnosis and treatment can ensure normal nutritional development in children and prevent pain during bowel movements caused by anal fissures, which may lead...[Read More] Addressing Constipation Issues in Toddlers: When to Seek Medical Help