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Is It Normal To Pass Stool 10 Times A Day By An Infant?

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Posted on Wed, 4 Mar 2015
Question: My daughter is 42 days old and is completely on breast feeding. she used to have motion close to 4-5 times in a day. The motion used to be in watery form.
Since day before yesterday, suddenly, she is having problem with her motions. She had her motion only once day before yesterday and yesterday she didn't have it at all.
Now she is showing reluctance in having milk and is also not able to sleep properly. There had been no change in my wife's diet and is mainly consisted of staples, fruit, milk and vegetables
What could be the reason for this and what shall we do now?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Stool habits seem normal for age. Continue breast feeding. Visit a doctor.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Let me assure you that for a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool 10 times a day or once in 10 days and anything in between. You need not worry in any of these unless the stool is hard and pellet like. If the baby is exclusively breast fed, the breast feeding itself will take care of the situation. If you feel the stools to be loose, all you have to do is to increase the breast feeding frequency slightly. The number of times the baby passes urine would indicate whether any additional measures are required. If the child passes urine at least 6 times over a period of 24 hours, you need not worry. I would not worry about the sleeping habits as well. Please do not worry, the child will get the sleep she requires.

But since you mention that the child is not feeding well, I think that you should visit a pediatrician and get the child assessed. Children often do not feed well when they are unwell. Your doctor would be able to take a closer look and tell better. In any case, I would strongly insist that breast feeding is continued.

Hope that helps.

In case you found my answer to be helpful, I would request you to close the answer with a positive review and a 5 star rating.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (43 minutes later)
Thanks for the answer Doctor.

Will like to know, whether she'll be having any somach pain if she not passing stool for a day.

Whether any change in my wife's diet will facilitate my kids stool habit.

Regards,
XXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Stomach pain unlikely due to collection of stool. Mother's diet unrelated

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

Unless your child has constipation (which would be evident if the stool is hard or pellet like), she is unlikely to have abdominal pain due to collection of stool. In any case, no significant collection is expected even if the child does not pass stool in even a few days. She may however occasionally get abdominal pain or discomfort caused by distention due to intake of air along with food and burping properly should take care of the problem. You can give Colicaid Drops 6 drops in case the child cries excessively as it could be caused due to abdominal colic.

The mother's diet affects the nutrition that the child is getting. But it is unlikely to be related to the infant's stool habits which seem to be normal anyway.

Hope that helps.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Is It Normal To Pass Stool 10 Times A Day By An Infant?

Brief Answer: Stool habits seem normal for age. Continue breast feeding. Visit a doctor. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Let me assure you that for a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool 10 times a day or once in 10 days and anything in between. You need not worry in any of these unless the stool is hard and pellet like. If the baby is exclusively breast fed, the breast feeding itself will take care of the situation. If you feel the stools to be loose, all you have to do is to increase the breast feeding frequency slightly. The number of times the baby passes urine would indicate whether any additional measures are required. If the child passes urine at least 6 times over a period of 24 hours, you need not worry. I would not worry about the sleeping habits as well. Please do not worry, the child will get the sleep she requires. But since you mention that the child is not feeding well, I think that you should visit a pediatrician and get the child assessed. Children often do not feed well when they are unwell. Your doctor would be able to take a closer look and tell better. In any case, I would strongly insist that breast feeding is continued. Hope that helps. In case you found my answer to be helpful, I would request you to close the answer with a positive review and a 5 star rating. Regards Dr. Diptanshu Das