Stool, Pediatrics FAQ

Understanding Black Stool in Infants: When to Seek Medical Advice

Stool color The baby is just five months old, and I recently noticed that her stool is black and has a stronger odor than before. She has only been given Quaker oatmeal mixed with her milk and has not started any solid foods. Could you please let me know if there is any gastroint...

Dr. Zhang Peixin Reply:
Hello! When introducing complementary foods, it is important to pay attention to changes in the shape and frequency of bowel movements. Mothers do observe carefully; however, some formulas or cereals may intensify the odor of the stool, which is a normal phenomenon. If the stool ...

Is It Normal for My Baby to Poop Every Three Days?

Is it normal to have a bowel movement only every three days? My baby is now almost four months old. Her bowel movements occur every three days, meaning she has two bowel movements on the third day, with only an hour in between. On the second day, she passes very foul-smelling gas...

Dr. Zhang Peixin Reply:
Hello! The frequency of bowel movements varies among babies. Generally, some may have bowel movements three times a week, and each bowel movement should not be painful or result in thin, ribbon-like stools. As long as the baby is growing normally, this is acceptable for clinical ...

Solutions for Infant Vomiting and Constipation Issues

Infant vomiting and bowel issues? (1) For a two-month-old infant experiencing issues with vomiting and bowel movements, what are the solutions? The symptoms include occasional vomiting after feeding, and bowel movements occurring every two to three days, with the stool being hard...

Dr. Yu Meiling Reply:
1. A 2-month-old infant's gastrointestinal motility and digestive capacity are still immature, and the lower esophageal sphincter is relatively relaxed, making them prone to constipation, diarrhea, or spitting up. Cow's milk is not as easily digestible as breast milk. I...

Understanding Hard Stools in Infants: Is It Time to Change Formula?

My child is having bowel movements that are hard and pellet-like? My child has just turned six months old and has switched to stage two formula, but the stools are somewhat hard and formed. I'm not sure what to do. Should I change the formula? Thank you.

Dr. Shi Zhongxian Reply:
Hello! If you have been using a larger formula for your child for some time and notice that their stools are harder, you can make the formula a bit thicker. For example, if you were using one tablespoon for 60 cc of water, you can now use 1.1 to 1.2 tablespoons for the same amoun...

Concerns About a Toddler Swallowing a Plum Pit: What Parents Should Know

A two-year-old child accidentally swallowed a preserved plum? Hello, doctor. My child, a boy born in October 2000, accidentally swallowed a whole pickled plum pit, about the size of a five-yen coin, on Wednesday morning (January 8, 2003). As of this morning (January 10, 2003), he...

Dr. Lin Guoyin Reply:
It is common for children to accidentally swallow foreign objects (such as coins, buttons, etc.). Generally, most cases do not require emergency treatment, as the object will naturally pass through the digestive system and be expelled in the stool within a few days. However, if a...

Do Newborns Really Need Water? Understanding Infant Hydration

Do newborns need to drink water? Dr. Zhao: Do newborns not need to drink water? My newborn was born on October 23, 2002, and is still hospitalized. The doctor said he had 6-12 bowel movements today, and they were small and hard. He is drinking Meiji formula, 65cc every three hour...

Dr. Zhao Yongkang Reply:
Dear Ms. Cloudia, 1. If a child’s milk intake is normal, their hydration levels will also be adequate, as milk contains about 80% water. Therefore, generally, children with a normal diet do not need additional water intake. 2. Your child, born on 91-10-23, is still hospitalized...

Understanding Changes in Baby's Stool Color: What Parents Should Know

Changes in the color of a baby's stool? Hello: My second child is currently eight months old. Since birth, her weight has consistently been between the 3rd and 10th percentiles, but her stool color has been normal. She was breastfed until about four months old, after which w...

Dr. Zhang Peixin Reply:
Hello! The color of stool can be influenced by food and medications, such as antidiarrheal agents (like kaolin) or barium (used for examinations). Therefore, if white stool appears, it is important to also observe whether the skin color has turned yellow or if the urine has becom...

Why Does My Toddler Scratch Their Bottom at Night?

Why do three-year-old toddlers scratch their bottoms at night? Hello Dr. Zhao: My daughter has been scratching her bottom at night. When I asked her if it itches, she said no, but when I turned on the light to check, I saw that the area around her anus was very red, although I di...

Dr. Zhao Yongkang Reply:
Dear Ms. Cloudia, 1. You can visually inspect the anal area for small parasites in the early morning. Additionally, you can visit a hospital for a stool examination for parasitic eggs, or you may perform an anal swab test to check for eggs. 2. It is also important to maintain p...

Choosing the Right Formula for Your One-Year-Old: Iron and Nutrient Considerations

Transitioning a one-year-old baby to a different milk? My sister is one year old, and I have been comparing the ingredients of various infant formulas. There are reports suggesting that those with higher iron content are better. The iron content in Kabrita is higher than that in ...

Dr. Zheng Peian Reply:
The differences in iron content among various infant formulas are actually not significant. Unless the baby has iron-deficiency anemia, it is not necessary to use high-iron formulas; excess iron that cannot be absorbed will simply be excreted in the stool. My personal recommendat...

Addressing Common Pediatric Concerns: Sweating and Constipation in Toddlers

Please educate about infant issues? Hello, Dr. Wu! 1. My daughter is currently one year and three months old. I am not sure if it is due to her constitution or some other reason, but since she turned one, she has been sweating excessively, especially on her head, often making h...

Dr. Wu Kunzhan Reply:
Hello: 1. It is common for young children to sweat easily. Sweating is a way for the body to regulate heat, so as long as the child is developing normally in other aspects, there is no need to worry too much about sweating. Moreover, as children grow and their organs gradually ...

Understanding Pediatric Tonsillitis: Fever, Blood in Stool, and Medication Concerns

Medical issues Hello Doctor, I have a question I would like to ask you. My son is currently 7 years old and has been experiencing tonsillitis with pus-filled white spots for the past few days, along with intermittent fever (usually every 4-6 hours; he spikes a high fever as soon...

Dr. Huang Zheming Reply:
Hello: The presence of blood clots in bowel movements may be caused by constipation or inflammation of the anal sphincter leading to anal fissures. Constipation can be triggered by factors such as a cold (tonsillitis), a diet low in fiber, and insufficient fluid intake. Additiona...

Understanding Mucus and Blood in Children's Stool: Causes and Concerns

Stool with mucus and blood? Hello Dr. Chang, about half a month ago, I noticed that my stools (either pellet-like or formed) have been mixed with some mucus (similar to egg white). Sometimes when I feel the urge to have a bowel movement, I only pass a significant amount of mucus....

Dr. Zhang Peixin Reply:
In general, the presence of mucus in stool should primarily rule out gastrointestinal infections or inflammation, especially if there is blood present. Therefore, it is recommended that you visit an outpatient clinic to have your stool sample tested for the presence of red blood ...

Effective Strategies to Manage Pediatric Constipation in Toddlers

Constipation My child is almost two years old and weighs only 10 kilograms. He has a history of habitual constipation and abdominal pain, along with poor appetite. X-rays and ultrasounds have shown slow intestinal motility and the presence of retained stool. I have tried using yo...

Dr. Huang Zheming Reply:
Hello: Constipation in babies, characterized by difficulty in bowel movements, can be attributed to the following causes: pathological factors such as megacolon, anal anomalies, hypothyroidism, or other intestinal obstructions. Functional constipation is often due to dietary habi...

Understanding Infant Constipation: Tips for New Parents

Infant constipation Hello, doctor... I have been a dad for 17 days now... During these 17 days, there have been joys as well as exhaustion... It seems that my baby's impatient temperament has been inherited from me... He lacks patience when breastfeeding, so he has been on f...

Dr. Hong Shaohui Reply:
In general, the frequency of bowel movements in infants decreases after the first two weeks of life. Constipation is defined by observing the consistency of the stool; if the stool is not hard and the frequency has decreased, it is considered a normal phenomenon. If water or gluc...

Understanding Black Stool in Infants: Causes and When to Seek Help

Black stool My little sister just turned four months old, and about a month ago (when she was three months old), she started having blackish-gray stools that appear approximately every two to three days. About two-thirds of the stool is dark gray and hard, while the remaining one...

Dr. Zhao Yongkang Reply:
1. Which type of formula should I choose? 2. If the child has formed stools and shows no discomfort, the blackish-green color of the stools is likely due to excess iron being excreted, which is not a cause for concern.

Understanding Your Baby's Unusual Stool: What Gray and Sticky Means

Baby's stool Hello Dr. Hong: My baby is over three months old now. For the past two days, the stool has been different from usual; it is gray in color and very sticky. Could this indicate a gastrointestinal issue? What should I do?

Dr. Hong Shaohui Reply:
It is possible that congenital biliary cysts are preventing bile secretion. As a result, fatty substances are difficult to digest, leading to grayish-white stools. It is advisable to seek examination and treatment at a medical center as soon as possible.

Why Is My Baby's Stool Gray? Understanding Color Changes in Infants

Gray stool can indicate a lack of bile, which may suggest a problem with the liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts. It is important to consult a healthcare professional for I have a three-month-old baby, and three days ago I noticed that his stool has turned gray and has become very ...

Dr. Hong Shaohui Reply:
Pale gray stools in children may indicate a lack of bile secretion, which can lead to difficulties in digesting fatty foods. There is a high possibility of congenital biliary cysts. It is advisable to seek prompt evaluation and treatment at a medical center.

Understanding Blood in Baby's Stool: Causes and Solutions for Parents

There is blood in the baby's stool? Hello Dr. Zhao! 1. My baby is now over seven months old. We switched her formula from Nestlé HA1 to Meiji, and she has 210cc three times a day, rice porridge twice a day, and fruit puree once a day. For the past two days, her stools have...

Dr. Zhao Yongkang Reply:
1. It may be necessary to consult a pediatrician to determine whether the blood is present in the stool or appears after bowel movements, so please bring a stool sample for the doctor to examine. 2. It's actually normal for stool to contain undigested food; there is no need ...

Understanding Rectal Bleeding in Children: Causes and When to Seek Help

Rectal bleeding After having a bowel movement, I noticed blood on the toilet paper. Recently, I have not experienced any unusual symptoms, such as constipation or diarrhea, and I do not have any abdominal pain. The amount of blood is not significant, but it is noticeable. The sto...

Dr. Shi Zhongxian Reply:
It is possible that the blood vessels in the rectal and anal mucosal layers are more prominent and fragile, leading to bleeding when stool passes through and causes friction. I recommend that you first consult a pediatrician and take medication for a while. If there is no improve...

Understanding Diarrhea in Infants: A Guide for Parents

How to determine diarrhea? The infant is currently one and a half months old, exclusively breastfed with some formula supplementation, and a small amount of boiled water. Previously, the infant had about 3-5 bowel movements per day. At one month of age, the infant was taken to th...

Dr. Huang Zheming Reply:
Diarrhea is commonly referred to as having loose stools, characterized by frequent bowel movements and redness or rashes around the anal area. Fever associated with diarrhea in infants is indicative of viral gastroenteritis. In cases of breastfeeding-related diarrhea, the stools ...

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