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Suggest Treatment For Loose Stool And Vomiting In A Child

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Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015
Question: My baby is 3 weeks old and the last couple of days his poop has been runnier than usual and smelling a bit more like vomit than the normal sickly sweet odor of digested milk. Overall he strains a lot and cries with little coming out but maybe twice a day a lot of yellow watery poop. He is almost exclusively breastfed - his nightly feedings have been Similac Advance. During the day my wife pumps and we bottle feed. Should we be concerned about the change in odor? It smells like stomach acid.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Observe the baby and his stool

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for asking on this platform

I can understand your concern.
Transient change in frquency,consistency,color and smell of stool is common in this age.
Acidic smell of stool is due to byproduct of digestion (lactose gets fermented and causes acidic smell).
In most of the babies it usually improves within few days.
I won't get worried for mild change in consistency and acidic smell of stool if baby is active, playful, accepting feeds well, passing urine and there is no abdominal distension.
I suggest you to observe the stool and general condition of baby.If you notice that this problem persists for longer duration (more than 3-4 days)or any abnormal finding get him evaluated by a pediatrician(stool test may be needed to see undigested lactose).

I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more query.
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain

Pediatrician, Cardiology

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2073 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Loose Stool And Vomiting In A Child

Brief Answer: Observe the baby and his stool Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for asking on this platform I can understand your concern. Transient change in frquency,consistency,color and smell of stool is common in this age. Acidic smell of stool is due to byproduct of digestion (lactose gets fermented and causes acidic smell). In most of the babies it usually improves within few days. I won't get worried for mild change in consistency and acidic smell of stool if baby is active, playful, accepting feeds well, passing urine and there is no abdominal distension. I suggest you to observe the stool and general condition of baby.If you notice that this problem persists for longer duration (more than 3-4 days)or any abnormal finding get him evaluated by a pediatrician(stool test may be needed to see undigested lactose). I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more query. Regards