What Causes Gastrocolic Reflex In A Child After Drinking Milk?

Posted on Tue, 30 May 2017

Question: Hello Doctor, My son turned one recently and I got him introduced to Cow's Milk... He has accepted it but has been passing stool after almost every meal... No loose motions though.. is this normal? What should I do? Should I discontinue Cow's Milk for sometime?

Thanks,
Malini

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Gastrocolic reflex. Not a cause for concern.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Let me mention that it is normal for a child of this age to pass stool after every meal. It is due to a phenomenon called gastrocolic reflex which can make the child pass stool after each episode of taking food. It is normal and not a cause of concern. Nothing needs to be done about it. The cow milk may or may not be continued entirely on personal choice.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (19 hours later)

Thankyou Doctor,

Will this situation subside within a few days?
What abt his health and will this lead to loss of weight?

Thanks & Regards,

Malini

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Will not lead to weight loss. Will not suddenly subside.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. No, the situation is not likely to change rapidly. You need not worry and it will not lead to weight loss.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (29 minutes later)

Thankyou Doctor,

Any particular food i need to avoid which may further trigger this situation?

Thanks & Regards,

Malini

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Observations need to be made on individual basis

Detailed Answer:
As such, cow milk is meant for calf whose growth to full size is very rapid and therefore their protein requirement is much higher than that of a human baby. A human baby therefore finds it hard to digest cow milk (contrary to popular belief). So, if the nutrients can be procured from other food items, it is better to leave out milk altogether from diet. Curd or yogurt is much easier to digest and can be given to children of this age.

The choice of food items need to be made based on individual observations. If you find a change and can associate it with a recent change in diet that you have made, leave that food item out of the diet for sometime and see if that makes a difference.

Regards

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. Kampana