Family Doctor Health Advisor
Children: Babies under one
Sleeping problems in babies | Excessive crying | Fever in babies | Vomiting in babies | Diarrhoea in babies | Feeding problems | Slow weight gain | Skin problems in babies
Children: All ages
Feeling generally unwell | Tiredness | Sleeping problems in children | Growth problems | Excessive weight gain | Fever in children | Rash with fever | Skin problems in children | Hair, scalp, and nail problems | Itching | Lumps and swellings | Dizziness, fainting, and seizures | Headache | Confusion and/or drowsiness | Clumsiness | Speech difficulties | Behaviour problems | School difficulties | Eye problems | Disturbed or impaired vision | Painful or irritated ear | Hearing problems | Runny or blocked nose | Sore throat | Coughing | Breathing problems | Mouth problems | Teeth problems | Eating problems | Vomiting in children | Abdominal pain | Diarrhoea in children | Constipation | Abnormal-looking faeces | Urinary problems | Toilet-training problems | Genital problems in boys | Genital problems in girls | Painful arm or leg | Joint and back problems | Foot problems | Limping
Children: Adolescents
Adolescent weight problems | Adolescent behaviour problems | Problems with puberty in boys | Problems with puberty in girls | Adolescent skin problems
Diarrhoea in babies
For children over 1 year, see Diarrhoea in children.
Diarrhoea is the frequent passing of abnormally loose or watery faeces. It is normal for a breast-fed baby to pass soft faeces up to 6 times a day, and this situation should not be mistaken for diarrhoea. If your baby does have diarrhoea, give him or her plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (see Preventing dehydration in babies).
Warning
Danger signs Call an ambulance if your baby's diarrhoea is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- Abnormal drowsiness
- Sunken eyes and/or dry tongue
- Black or bloodstained faeces
- Has refused feeds for more than 3 hours (babies under 3 months) or more than 6 hours (babies 3 months and over)
Cows' milk protein intolerance
Some children cannot tolerate cows' milk protein, which is found in most formula milk. Such intolerance usually develops in the first year of life, between a week and several months after starting on the milk, and results in diarrhoea and vomiting. The condition usually disappears by the age of 3 years.
If you suspect your child has the condition, consult your doctor. He or she will probably recommend excluding all cows' milk products from your baby's diet for a trial period of 2 weeks. If the symptoms clear up, a small amount of cows' milk may then be reintroduced under medical supervision. The diagnosis is confirmed if the symptoms recur.
A child who does have cows' milk protein intolerance needs a diet free of cows' milk products and should be supervised by a dietitian. Children under 1 year will require an alternative formula milk, such as one made with soya, which your doctor will prescribe. Your child will be tested again for the condition every 3 months. If the intolerance has disappeared, cows' milk can be gradually reintroduced into the diet.
Babies' faeces
The first faeces that a baby passes are known as meconium, which is a sticky greenish-black substance consisting mainly of mucus and bile. Within a day or two, the faeces change to a greenish-brown colour, then settle to a regular colour. Most babies pass faeces several times a day, although some can go for a few days without passing any. As long as your baby seems well, there is probably nothing wrong.
Breast-fed babies can pass faeces very frequently. The faeces are very soft and usually orange-yellow, like mustard, and there may be visible mucus. They may smell of sour milk.
Bottle-fed babies pass bulkier and more substantial faeces than breast-fed babies. The faeces are usually light brown and smell strongly, rather like the faeces of an adult.
Green faeces are a sign that food has passed through the intestines very rapidly. For a breast-fed baby, green faeces may be normal, but in a bottle-fed baby, such faeces may result from a gastrointestinal infection.
Self-Help Preventing dehydration in babies
Diarrhoea, vomiting, or fever can cause dehydration, a potentially life-threatening condition in babies. It is therefore important to give your baby extra fluids before a breast-feed or instead of a bottle-feed if he or she has any of these conditions. Rehydrating solutions can be made up using powders bought over the counter. While your baby still has symptoms, give him or her frequent feeds of rehydrating solution; see the table here for the total amount to give per day.
|
Baby's weight |
Daily intake of rehydrating solution |
||
|
kg |
lb |
ml |
fl.oz |
| Under 4 | Under 9 | 500 | 18 |
| 4 | 9 | 600 | 21 |
| 5 | 11 | 750 | 26 |
| 6 | 13 | 900 | 32 |
| 7 | 15 | 1050 | 37 |
| 8 | 18 | 1200 | 42 |
| 9 | 20 | 1350 | 48 |
| Over 10 | Over 22 | 1500 | 53 |
Daily intake of rehydrating solution
Use this table to determine the appropriate total daily intake of rehydrating solution for your baby's weight.
Family Doctor Health Advisor is for information purposes only, and is designed as a general reference and catalyst to seeking further information.
The RACGP is not engaged in providing medical or other advice or services, and is not responsible for the results of any actions taken by any person on the basis of any information in this publication, or for any error in, or omission from, this publication.
Publication Date: 31 March 2009
Authorised By: RACGP
