How does a child's stool change after the introduction of complementary foods?

With the birth of a little man, a new stage begins in the life of young parents. This is a time of joyful emotions and happy moments, but among them there are many exciting worries, worries and anxieties. The young mother pays careful attention to the work of her baby’s digestive system. She observes the consistency of the child's stool, its color and smell. Any restructuring of the body of your beloved child causes excitement and questions: “Did this happen correctly?” So that new parents can calmly and joyfully observe the development and maturation of their child, it is necessary to familiarize themselves with the information on how the stool will change after the introduction of complementary foods?

It is important to know that consuming adult food should be approached carefully and carefully. The baby's body must get used to the new food. Therefore, you need to start with a very small portion, and under no circumstances give your child too hot food or large pieces!

If the baby receives only breast milk, then the norm for him will be mushy yellow stool. Such stool may contain lumps and a slightly sour smell. But after the introduction of complementary foods, the digestive system begins to work differently, naturally, the feces may be colored differently and the thickness changes.

Loose stools after feeding

Very often, young mothers are frightened by this situation when the baby develops diarrhea after the first feeding. To relieve them of unnecessary fears in this situation, it should be explained that loose stools are a very common reaction of the baby’s body to the introduction of solid foods into the diet. This is due to the fact that the baby’s digestive organs are accustomed exclusively to liquid food - milk or formula, and are not ready to accept and process a new product. This is why the stool changes. Based on this, it should be noted that the expansion of the baby’s diet should occur no earlier than he is ready for it. Physiological readiness in most cases occurs at 6 months, or after the baby begins to show interest in adult food, and not in the process of eating.

When parents complain that their child has diarrhea while feeding complementary foods, they need to be reassured and given some recommendations that can save them from this problem. New food is introduced into the baby’s diet month by month, each time supplemented with one type of product. You should start feeding your baby with vegetable puree, which is given at lunch. Any new products should be used in children’s diets no later than this time, so that if the body reacts negatively and loose stools appear, emergency measures can be taken before the baby goes to bed at night. Young parents also need to remember the following truths that can make it easier for the baby to get used to new products:

Introducing complementary foods too early is a direct path to the appearance of loose stools, the development of allergic reactions and intolerance to certain foods;
If new dishes contain a large amount of carbohydrates and fat, this will also weaken the stool and can lead to obesity;
Late introduction of solid food into the diet is also fraught with various pathologies in the baby, as he will develop protein-calorie deficiency.

To prevent newly introduced foods from causing loose stools is possible only by using a very responsible approach to expanding the baby’s diet. It is best to consult your pediatrician before doing this.

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Rules for normal nutrition of children under one year old

The functioning of the intestines directly depends on nutrition, on the order in which new dishes are introduced into the diet. It is important to give a little at a time (start with half a teaspoon), gradually increasing to a whole serving. It is advisable to feed your baby only after 6 months.

According to WHO recommendations, complementary feeding is given the following periods:

From 6 months (for artificial babies all the dates are slightly shifted, vegetables are introduced 2-4 weeks earlier) the baby will have his first acquaintance with vegetable puree. Cauliflower, zucchini, and broccoli are ideal. First, the puree is made very liquid and diluted with breast milk.
If the baby tolerates vegetables well, at 7 months it’s time to try dairy-free cereals (more details in the article: what should a small child eat at 7 months?). Buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, and corn are good for the intestines. You can add a little vegetable oil to the puree.
From the age of 8 months, they begin to get acquainted with fruits, which are first pureed by rubbing through a sieve. You can try baby cookies.
At 9 months, the baby is ready to try lean meat, which is most often added to soup in the form of meatballs. You can also add butter to dishes.
At 10, fermented milk products are introduced into the diet: cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt.
After 11 months, you can give your child fish.

In addition, during the day the baby should receive from 120 to 200 ml of water; for infants this amount may be less, but for artificial babies it is imperative to drink well. Lack of water also leads to constipation. You can give clean water (preferably baby water, not boiled water) or compote.

Komarovsky notes that it is not advisable to give regular food to children under 4 months of age, since they cannot yet swallow thick purees and the stomach is not ripe for adult food; constipation, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur (we recommend reading: how is the first complementary food prepared according to Komarovsky?). Complementary foods can be introduced to artificial babies earlier - from 4 months, but only according to doctor's indications.

In general, you need to focus on how the baby is gaining weight and the state of his health. For example, for babies who suffer from constipation from birth (if they are not caused by abnormalities in the intestinal structure), it is recommended to introduce kefir into their diet from 4 months (for more details, see the article: kefir for children under 1 year). Dr. Komarovsky generally believes that complementary feeding should begin with kefir and cottage cheese.

How to get rid of loose stools from complementary foods?

New foods introduced into a baby's diet are best absorbed if the food is prepared using breast milk. That is, it should become the main component of puree or porridge. In addition, in order to avoid diarrhea after complementary feeding, several basic rules should be followed:

The starting products, in order to avoid the baby developing loose stools from complementary feeding, must be thoroughly washed before cooking, or, best of all, pre-soaked in water;
When preparing complementary foods, it is necessary to comply with all hygiene requirements - both hands and utensils must be clean;
For the very first time in a baby's life, adding a dish to feeding to prevent loose stools, you should use only one product. If it’s porridge, then it’s made from one grain, and for vegetable puree, one type of vegetable is taken;
You should start adding new food to your baby’s diet with very small portions – no more than a teaspoon. It is necessary to increase the amount only if the body’s reaction to the new product is good.

For the first feeding, fruit puree is completely unsuitable, since they are very aggressive for the child’s fragile stomach and after eating them, the baby may develop not only loose stools, but also allergies. If, after the introduction of a new product, diarrhea occurs, then its use should be postponed until the baby’s feces become formed again.

How to protect your child from constipation?

Remember that constipation is not your main enemy, you need to understand what causes it and correctly eliminate this cause.

What to do if constipation appears after complementary feeding:

Try to put the baby to the breast more often + start introducing the baby to water so that he receives additional liquid.
If you suspect that constipation may have appeared as a result of being introduced to a new product, remove it for 3-5 days and see if there is an improvement.
Reduce the amount of complementary feeding if you were guided by pediatric schedules. They are designed for artificial babies and are not suitable for infants.

For information on how to properly and safely introduce complementary foods to an infant, how to increase portions to avoid constipation, and in what order to introduce new foods, see the ABC of Complementary Feeding online course>>>

It’s better to do everything right right away than to ruin a child’s stomach and then have to spend a lot of time trying to restore it!

Pedagogical complementary feeding
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At what age should a child be potty trained?

Problems with introducing complementary foods

Unfortunately, the introduction of complementary foods to a child does not always go smoothly, as they say, “without a hitch.” Some babies react sharply to being introduced to new food and their parents may encounter such troubles as:

constipation in a baby after introducing complementary foods;
upset stomach in baby;
the occurrence of an allergic reaction in a child to new, seemingly completely non-allergenic products.

In addition, sometimes little picky children flatly refuse to even try unfamiliar “adult” food, preferring breast milk or adapted infant formula. By the way, breast-fed babies often “sin” by refusing complementary feeding, while “artificially fed” babies usually gobble up the offered vegetable purees, porridge, and kefir with appetite. Although there are exceptions.

Naturally, even small difficulties sometimes greatly upset young parents and often push them to make typical mistakes, the consequences of which have to be corrected over a long period of time and often with the assistance of doctors - pediatricians and gastroenterologists.

Remember: many parents encounter difficulties at the beginning of introducing complementary foods, and most minor troubles that seem to you like “tragedies of a universal scale” can be eliminated in just a couple of days.

What should a baby's stool look like after introducing complementary foods?

It is quite natural and logical that after the introduction of complementary foods, the baby’s stool changes. However, these changes often cause real panic among inexperienced parents! On thematic forums you can find messages: “The child poops green! What should I do?”, “During the whole day, my daughter only went “big” once. Is she constipated?”, “I found undigested pieces of apple in the diaper. Is this intolerance?!”

For experienced parents, such topics may seem funny, but for young “first-time” mothers, this is a real disaster. Let's try to figure out what a child's normal stool should be like after being introduced to the first “adult” food.

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

A well-known pediatrician believes that if a child is breastfed, it is normal to have a bowel movement once every three days.

and should not be considered constipation.

Komarovsky explains to mothers that there is no need to sound the alarm if the baby is feeling well and developing normally.

Now that you know how a child’s stool changes after the introduction of complementary foods, you can safely switch your child from breast milk to artificial formula and vegetables.

To avoid complications and prevent constipation during complementary feeding, follow the recommendations above. Let your baby grow up healthy and strong!

What if it's constipation?

First of all, parents must understand that not every delay in stool in a child after the introduction of complementary foods is constipation. If the child poops himself once every 2-3 days, and his stool is pasty or mushy, and the baby himself is cheerful, cheerful and full of energy, eats well and does not complain about sleep, then there is no reason to worry. Most likely, this mode of bowel movement is a physiological feature of your child.

This is absolutely the case if the baby experiences difficulties with bowel movements: the child may refuse food, be capricious, not fall asleep for a long time, and his stool becomes dense, often resembling large peas. In this case, the child needs adult help.

The first thing parents should do is to “revise” the baby’s menu, eliminating all new dishes from it and increasing the proportion of liquid. As for “laxatives”, it is better not to rush with them. The same applies to the “cleansing enema” so beloved by many parents. The fact is that any artificial stimulation of the intestines at an early age can provoke “addiction” and as a result, an already grown child will not be able to “go potty” without outside help.

Remember:

Any laxatives can be used only after consultation with a pediatrician. Moreover, most laxatives, even “children’s” and over-the-counter laxatives, are contraindicated for children under one year of age.

Signs and causes of constipation

How can you tell if your baby is constipated? It is necessary to pay attention not to the frequency of stool, since it is individual, but to the features of the process of defecation and the characteristics of bowel movements. Main symptoms of constipation:

during defecation, the child strains, grunts, arches, blushes and cries
feces are heterogeneous - first a hard lump comes out, resembling a cork, followed by a mush
in advanced situations, the stool is very dense (fecal stones), it may contain particles of blood due to damage to the rectum
Frequency of defecation – once every 2-3 days

Systematic constipation during complementary feeding must be dealt with, because in the future the situation will worsen: solid masses will stretch and injure the intestines, which will make bowel movements even more difficult. This will disrupt the functioning of the child’s entire digestive system: the absorption of nutrients will deteriorate, and the body will suffer from toxins. In addition, constipation causes abdominal pain and bloating.

The main reasons that cause constipation in a baby when first introduced to solid food:

Violation of the rules for introducing complementary foods.
Lack of fluid.
Errors in menu design.
Food allergies.

What to expect

From the very birth of a child, parents closely monitor the functioning of his gastrointestinal tract. When the color or consistency of stool changes, this raises suspicions about the presence of a disease and alarms. One of these “alarming” periods in the life of parents and baby is the beginning of the consumption of adult food - complementary foods.

After sleepless nights due to colic, many will worry about how the baby’s stomach will react to new food. What do parents need to know about how stools change after introducing complementary foods?

For breastfed babies, mushy yellow stool is normal. The stool may contain small lumps and have a sour odor. When the baby grows up and it’s time to introduce complementary foods, it’s time for surprises for him and his parents.

What foods to start complementary feeding with?

For children with stable stools, pediatricians recommend starting complementary feeding with pureed low-allergenic vegetables or fruits. This supplement is suitable for infants prone to constipation. If a child has frequent bowel movements and diarrhea, it is recommended to start complementary feeding with porridge. All recommendations are suitable exclusively for children without gastrointestinal diseases.

When introducing complementary foods, you must choose one new product and give no more than one teaspoon. Afterwards, it is recommended to take a break for several days to understand the presence of allergic reactions to the new food, after which you can increase the dose. If the child reacts positively to the food offered, you can try giving something new. It is better to eat all meals in the first half of the day, this will help monitor his condition in case of rashes and diarrhea.

The main causes of constipation

A congenital cause of fecal retention in the intestine may be Hirschsprung's disease. A pathological change in an area of the intestine prevents stool from moving towards the rectum. 1% of infants suffer from the disease. Diagnosed at birth.

Constipation in an infant can occur if he is inactive due to illness, has physiologically immature intestines, and weak abdominal muscles. Taking antibacterial agents by a nursing mother or baby disrupts the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, which first leads to dysbacteriosis and then to stool retention.

Causes of constipation not related to complementary feeding include:

stressful situation (change of residence, unfamiliar surroundings);
Iron-deficiency anemia;
increased dryness of air in the apartment, on the street.

When breastfeeding at the same time, the mother's diet can provoke disturbances in the intestines. With the introduction of complementary foods, problems with bowel movements may arise due to a lack of fluid or poor nutrition. Symptoms of constipation appear after the first feeding.

Fluid deficiency

A breastfed baby does not need additional fluid. New nutritional supplements and reducing breast milk without replacing with water will make the stool thick. The baby must be taught to drink water at the same time as taking new foods.

The less milk he receives from the breast, the more he must drink water and learn to quench his thirst. Eating baked goods must be washed down with sufficient quantity of water. When switching to solid food, the volume of liquid (dried fruit compote, water for babies) is minimal - 125 milliliters, maximum - 200 milliliters.

Inappropriate diet

Errors in complementary feeding begin with determining the foods for an infant’s diet.

The baby receives meals rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats:

It is not advisable to introduce potatoes, bananas, or sea fish at first. A single serving should correspond to the volume of the stomach and intestines. An immature digestive tract will not be able to process the entire volume of food.

Violation of the feeding schedule

There is a certain sequence of introducing new foods into a child’s diet. At six months he should receive vegetable purees, at 7 months he should try porridge and vegetable oil, at 8 months he should try crushed fruits. Meat reaches the baby's table at 9 months, kefir at 10 months, fish products at 11 months.

This sequence in time is explained by the peculiarities of the development of the enzymatic system of the child’s body. At 6 months, not every baby’s body will be able to digest meat or fish, which will cause constipation.

Food allergy

The introduction of certain food ingredients into the baby's diet causes stool retention due to an allergic reaction.

The child’s body may not be able to assimilate:

milk;
eggs;
fish;
vegetables, berries, red fruits.

Cow's milk is one of the most common causes of food allergies. It contains 25 antigens that can cause an increased immune response. Boiled milk partially loses its allergenicity, with the exception of two proteins: casein and P-lactoglobulin.

Chicken protein contains a strong allergen - albumin, which provokes the production of immunoglobulin. Yolk does not have the same effect on the immune system. The cause of allergies to tomatoes, pomegranates, strawberries, red bell peppers, watermelon, cherries, grapes, red currants is the pigment lycopene, due to which the peel and pulp have a rich red color.

Changes in baby's stool after introducing complementary foods

If you chose broccoli, apple, zucchini, pear and other green fruits for your baby's first feeding, the stool may turn green, which often makes parents worry.

As a rule, the feces take on the same shade as the food consumed by the baby. If you eat foods of a different color, the stool will be the same color as the food, but a green tint may also be present. This is a normal intestinal reaction to new foods. If your baby is cheerful and cheerful, his appetite is normal, and there are no complaints about the tummy, then there is no reason to worry.

The stool may vary in color and thickness. Its density is thicker than that of a baby. If white lumps appear, this indicates that the portion of the new product is too large and it is difficult for the child’s stomach to cope with it; the food has not been completely digested. If there are no visible problems, you should be calm about the fact that stool will be less frequent. Adult food takes longer to digest than formula and breast milk. If the stool is liquid and has an unpleasant, pungent odor, you should consult a doctor.

Difficulties parents may encounter

It does not always happen that the introduction of complementary foods goes without problems. There are often children who react sharply to innovations in the usual menu. The most popular of them:

allergic reactions, skin rashes;
gastrointestinal disorder;
constipation, diarrhea.

The reason for the refusal may be teething

It happens that children outright refuse to try new foods. More often this happens in a child who was completely breastfed. The situation is aggravated by stories of familiar mothers about how their children eat with an enviable appetite, and the mother of the “little one” goes to various lengths to feed her child. As a rule, these attempts do not contribute to the appearance of appetite, but on the contrary. Every meal for a child turns into an unpleasant experience. Remember that you should not force your baby to eat; let him eat as much as he wants. Food is a biological need of the body and the optimal solution in such a situation is to simply wait.

How to deal with constipation

Stool retention in children when complementary foods are introduced is a common occurrence. Slow bowel movements should not always be considered constipation. If the baby feels well, goes to the potty on his own every 2 or 3 days, his stool is pasty, he has a good appetite and sleeps peacefully, then there is no reason to worry. This frequency of bowel movements occurs in many children. Signs of constipation:

refusal of food;
whims, hysterics;
disturbance of sleep and wakefulness;
hard stools that often resemble peas.

The first thing parents should do to help their baby is to review their diet. Eliminate foods introduced in recent days and increase the amount of fluid consumed. It is not recommended to rush into using laxatives; these include all cleansing enemas and other devices. If you artificially stimulate a child's intestines and do this regularly, addiction may occur, as a result of which it will be difficult for him to go to the potty on his own. Any medications should be given only after consultation with a pediatrician, he will tell you which one is right for you. For children under one year of age, most medications are not recommended at all.

One of the common causes of constipation is drinking juices instead of purees, which leads to a lack of fiber and impaired gastrointestinal motility.

First aid for constipation

Constipation in a baby worries not only him, but also his mother. The main thing is not to panic and do everything possible to alleviate the baby’s condition. Constipation often occurs in a newborn when bottle-fed; what to do in such cases depends on the cause of the problem. First aid for babies who consume breast milk and for babies who are breastfed does not differ.

Folk remedies for infants

Important! Combating constipation in newborns with folk remedies is very dangerous. Do not use soap, it can burn the mucous membranes and cause pain

It is dangerous to use cotton swabs and other objects; they can cause injury. All procedures that help stimulate intestinal activity are very harmful, they disrupt the natural process of emptying and only provoke constipation.

You can do an enema with boiled water, injecting no more than 2 milliliters of liquid. Why can’t such procedures be carried out constantly? The baby's intestines will get used to such easy emptying, and the child will stop going to the toilet on his own. Enemas cannot be done every day - in addition to removing feces, they help flush out beneficial substances from the body. If absolutely necessary, you can take a third of the glycerin suppository. There is no need to enter it all the way.

Baby and enema

Treatment of constipation with medications

When a diagnosis of dysbacteriosis is made, drugs are prescribed that help normalize the body's microflora. The doctor selects the medications and dosage, depending on the age and body weight of the baby. If all of the above methods do not help, the baby’s condition does not improve, it is possible to use laxatives on the recommendation of a doctor. These can be suppositories, syrups, enemas.

Microenemas have been developed especially for children; their use is permitted from birth. They have a safe tip that cannot harm the baby. They act very quickly, the effect occurs within 10-15 minutes after administration of the drug. The components of the drug are not absorbed into the blood, as a result of which they do not affect the functioning of the body. Lactulose-based syrups are used. Its main purpose is to enhance intestinal motility. Suppositories, syrups and enemas should be used only in extreme cases. Their frequent use should be discussed with your doctor, as well as their dosage.

Note! These remedies will not help cure constipation, they will only relieve the symptom. The cause must be identified and eliminated, then the baby’s intestines will not cause him discomfort.

Stomach upset

In everyday life this disease is called diarrhea. This reaction is common in infants who have tried new foods. If the food is not suitable for your baby, diarrhea may occur several hours after eating.

If an upset stomach occurs, the first thing to do is to postpone eating new foods for a while. It is important to control the amount of fluid you drink to avoid the risk of dehydration. In this case, mother's milk will be the best medicine for your child; if he is artificially fed, offer him a formula. It is worth seeking medical help if your six-month-old baby poops more than 5 times a day.

Allergic reactions

They may arise due to the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract of children; in addition, hereditary factors may influence the occurrence of allergies. The allergy manifests itself as redness or pinpoint rash on the cheeks. In addition, the baby may suffer from increased gas formation and inflammation of the mucous membranes.

The introduction of new food should be suspended to determine which product the body reacted to. If there are difficulties in identifying the allergen, then all complementary foods are completely excluded until the allergy symptoms disappear. It is better to introduce complementary foods carefully, in small portions and no more than one product per week. Many parents keep a food diary. The records will help you find out which foods are well absorbed by the child’s body, changes in the child’s behavior when eating new foods, and create a menu based on them.

Preventive measures

Constipation is a consequence of poor nutrition. Due to impaired bowel movements, there will be problems with metabolism, stomach, and intestines, which will be more difficult to correct with age.

To avoid constipation, complementary feeding begins with minimal doses: half a teaspoon. Every day the volume increases by 10-15 grams.

At first, zucchini and cauliflower are suitable for vegetable purees. You should not prepare fruit puree from red-skinned apples, raspberries, and red currants. Grated pears, green apples, apricots, plums are a suitable option at the initial stage of complementary feeding.

The period for introducing a full norm of the product into a child’s diet is at least 2 weeks. To make the task easier, you need to create a menu for this period, in which you indicate when, how much and what the baby should receive. At the first signs of constipation, you can determine which product was introduced into the problem in order to change your diet.

How does a child’s stool change when complementary foods are introduced?

During the first 6 months, due to the structural features of the body, the intestines of infants are highly permeable, and therefore do not experience the need for complementary foods. At this stage, the baby in infancy has enough nutrients contained in mother's milk.

Complementary feeding should be introduced slowly with a gradual increase in the amount of food so that there is no unnecessary stress on the intestines.

, one teaspoon will be enough for the baby.
new product. Adaptation to new food should take at least 7 days.

If the recommendations of pediatricians are violated, constipation from complementary foods may begin, or, conversely, loose stools, as well as allergic reactions.

If the baby’s body is already accustomed to a certain product, then another can be introduced. In this case, the previous product can be given for breakfast, replacing morning breastfeeding.

The child's stool with such a smooth transition
will gradually change its consistency, remaining within the normal range.

When solid foods appear in complementary foods, the smell of feces will become much noticeable and unpleasant. In addition, the stool will contain undigested food fragments. You shouldn’t be afraid of this, since the baby’s gastrointestinal tract system is not yet fully formed. The color of an infant's stool after the introduction of complementary foods depends on the color of the food eaten.

General provisions

Stool that is yellowish in color and has a runny consistency is typical for a breastfed baby. With the consumption of different foods, the appearance of stool changes. It becomes thick, dark or hard.

How foods affect stool color and consistency

Pediatricians recommend starting complementary feeding with vegetables. To begin with, the most favorable, according to pediatricians, will be dishes made from zucchini, different types of cabbage and potatoes.

Mothers should be aware that the baby's stool may be green after introducing complementary foods with vegetables.
Splotches with a whitish and greenish tint indicate excessive addition of complementary foods or excessive food consumption.
Many children love to eat bananas and pears, which were introduced to them as complementary foods. It should be remembered here that after feeding these fruits to a child, the feces may become either very tight or completely liquid. Why? Since banana and pear can act both as a laxative and as a fixative. It all depends on the characteristics of the body, so the reaction should be monitored.
When cottage cheese is consumed, the feces acquire a yellowish tint, beets give a red tint, and the feces become softer.
It has been noticed that in children who often eat bananas, red and brown streaks similar to blood can be seen in their stool. There is no need to panic right away; if the baby’s health is good and his behavior is consistently cheerful, then there is no reason to worry. Such changes in stool are the norm. It is important here that the process of emptying the intestines takes place without pain and is recorded regularly.

When a lot of new food appears in the baby’s diet, his stool after the introduction of complementary foods will always be dense, and the desire to go “big” may decrease to once a day.

The effect of foods on stool

The first full meals are prepared from vegetables. Doctors advise starting with potatoes, zucchini, broccoli or cauliflower. A child's stool turns green after eating zucchini or an apple. Zucchini is low in calories and is indicated for anemia. This oblong fruit is indispensable in baby food due to the presence of:

fiber: necessary for better intestinal permeability;
potassium: useful for the cardiovascular system, kidneys, participates in the transmission of nerve impulses;
copper: participates in the metabolic process, increases resistance to infections, delivers oxygen to the muscles.

Cabbage and other green vegetables boast a high content of calcium and vitamin E. Plant fibers and pectin substances normalize the functioning of the stomach. Despite the usefulness of vegetables, a child may be categorically unsatisfied with their taste. Under no circumstances should you be forced to swallow food you don't like. This will cause unnecessary stress, and the feeding process will turn into torture.

A banana or pear can act as a laxative and have a consolidating effect if the stool is loose. Depends on individual characteristics. If a child periodically suffers from loose stools, then it is worth giving blueberries. It contains a polyphenol of plant origin - tannin. This tannin will help with diarrhea.

Prunes are known as the most popular herbal laxative. Before using medications, pay attention to the properties of natural products. The child will forget what constipation is if apricots are included in the diet.

When eating bananas, streaks of reddish or brown color form in the stool. They can be mistaken for traces of blood. The child’s condition is stable, he is cheerful, playful, does not complain about his health, then his fears are groundless. After complementary feeding, the regularity of the baby’s stool changes; he walks “in a big way” less often, 1-2 times a day.

Mothers must continuously monitor the baby’s behavior and record the slightest deviations. A change in the nature of feces is not always associated with the introduction of complementary foods. May be the result of viral or bacterial infections. If loose stools are accompanied by fever and pain in the abdomen, seek medical help.

When the body is completely accustomed to one product, introduce the next one. Make the previous complementary foods for breakfast, which will replace breastfeeding after waking up.

Cottage cheese turns stool yellow, beets - red. Feeding buckwheat porridge makes stool brown. All this is within normal limits, the main thing is that the process of bowel movements is painless and the child’s bowel movements are regular.

On a note. E.O. Komarovsky does not recommend giving castor oil to infants as a laxative.

Possible deviations in bowel function associated with complementary feeding

The process of introducing new foods into a baby's diet does not always go smoothly. For some children, especially those who were breastfed, the transition to complementary feeding is painful. There are times when not only stool changes, but also the child’s well-being. The following complications appear:

the stool becomes hard (i.e. the child may become constipated);
there is a disorder in the intestines;
Allergic rashes appear on the skin (areas of the skin become inflamed).

Constipation

The first common complication is constipation from complementary foods. What should parents do if the stool becomes very hard? You should make adjustments to your diet, and then you can forget what constipation is like in a baby when breastfeeding. You should carefully analyze which dishes have taken place recently. Drinking plenty of fluids can help with very hard stools.

Some mothers, having noticed constipation in their child when feeding complementary foods, decide to help the baby with an enema, laxative tablets or laxative syrup. However, enemas and laxatives are dangerous because the body of a small child can get used to artificial stimulation. Therefore, it is better to immediately take measures that can prevent hard feces.

If a child experiences constipation after starting complementary feeding, prunes and apricots will provide a unique laxative effect. They can fully replace laxatives. Children who often have apricots in their diet rarely suffer from constipation. Try making prune puree or a decoction of prunes or apricots for your baby.

Diarrhea

The second common complication when introducing complementary foods is loose stools. This manifestation of complications is no better than constipation after the introduction of complementary foods. Diarrhea is dangerous because it can cause dehydration.

If your baby experiences watery stools more than 5 times a day, do not put off visiting a doctor.

If the child’s health is normal and liquid bowel movements are observed less than 5 times a day, doctors recommend giving the baby blueberries

. The polyphenol contained in its composition has a strong tanning effect.

Allergy

Did the allergy start after you started feeding your baby new food? This is another possible complication. If an allergic skin rash appears, you should immediately discontinue that product.

, to which the child is allergic.

If such manifestations occur, you should keep a complementary feeding diary.

, in which you need to note which foods the baby tolerates well and which ones poorly.

What else you should know

When introducing complementary foods, every mother must constantly monitor the nature of her baby’s feces and his behavior. Changes in stool consistency may not always depend on complementary foods. Constipation or distress may be caused by a bacterial infection.

. In cases where the mother notices that the child goes to the toilet too often “in a big way” against the background of elevated temperature and pain in the intestinal area, you should definitely seek the help of a doctor.

Constipation in artificial people

In children who are bottle-fed, the frequency of bowel movements is different. Almost from birth, it is normal for them to have one bowel movement per day. Such babies need to be supplemented with water. There are no breastfed children, because breast milk consists of 80 percent water.

Main causes of constipation

If a baby is constipated during artificial feeding, only a doctor can determine what to do. Several reasons influence intestinal malfunctions; only a specialist can accurately determine the problem. If there is a lack of fluid in the body, constipation may occur.

Constipation from formula in a newborn occurs quite often; the following information will help you figure out what to do in such a situation. Perhaps the selected formula is not suitable for the baby, or they are constantly changing. This also negatively affects the digestion process. If the baby reacts to the mixture this way, it means that it contains a component that causes him an allergy. In this case, other symptoms are observed: rashes appear on the skin, for example, dermatitis or urticaria. If spots appear on your child's skin, you should call your doctor.

Also, if formula feeding begins very abruptly, problems begin in the baby’s body. In addition to constipation, regurgitation and flatulence appear. The transition from breast milk has not had time to occur, and a small organism can react this way to sudden innovations. When frequently changing formulas or feeding different ones during the day, the intestines do not have time to rebuild and absorb the substances contained in them. After all, all mixtures have a different composition: some contain more proteins, others contain iron.

Additional Information. At an older age, constipation can occur when complementary foods are introduced incorrectly or prematurely, when the gastrointestinal tract receives too much stress and cannot cope with new foods and their quantity. In addition, a recumbent lifestyle can negatively affect the functioning of the baby’s intestines, as can excessive pressure on the gastrointestinal tract, which occurs when tightly swaddling or wearing clothes that are not the right size.

Deviations in organ development can affect the character of stool. For example, a baby may have impaired intestinal tone, develop dysbiosis or lactase deficiency. The functioning of the intestines can be disrupted due to a lack of calcium in the body or, conversely, its excess, problems in the functioning of the thyroid gland. There are many reasons; to determine the correct diagnosis, the baby should be examined by a pediatrician. After examining the child and talking with the mother, he will explain what causes constipation.