HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Loose Stool And Sleeplessness In A New Born Baby?

default
Posted on Sat, 3 Sep 2016
Question: my baby boy is 7 days old now. and he is crying a lot today. He is being fed properly. He is passing loose stools also since morning. He is unable to sleep properly. Everytume he gets to sleep, he is getting disturbed sleep. He moves while sleeping too. Please advise what should be done.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Most likely normal for this age

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for choosing this platform

Pattern of newborn's stool is different from older children and adult.
Newborn after birth passes black,sticky,tarry stool for 2-4 days.Then stool becomes greenish or greenish brown which is little loose in consistency called Transitional stool.
This transitional stool persists for 4-6 days.After that the stool color changes to yellow,light green or brown with more liquid consistency.This stool may contains some particles (curd like)sometimes with acidic smell.
Passage of stool immediately after feed is normal in this age and that is called gastrocolic reflex.
Babies of this age have little control over bowel and bladder (causes frequent stool and urine may be upto 7-10 times a day).
Sleep pattern is also irregular in this age as they have just came out of womb and the sleep cycle is not well established. It may take 2-3 months for the babies to get their sleep pattern like older children.
Similarly movement during sleep and crying is normal in this age.
I won't get worried if baby is not crying persistently for more than 2 hours,accepting feeds well, there is no vomiting and baby is active and playful.

I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more query.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 hours later)
Thanks Dr. There is 1 more issue we are facing. My baby is not taking breastfeed directly. I have to express it and then feed him using spoon. This is really cumbersome. Please suggest how to feed him directly.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get assistance from a nurse

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up

Most common causes of difficulty in breast feed when the milk production is sufficient are poor attachment,improper positioning or any bresst related problem.If baby is not accepting direct breastfeeding one should check whether the attachment and positioning is proper or not.Also retracted nipple or other breast problem should be checked.
I won't get worried as the baby is accepting expressed breast feed well.
I would suggest you to take assistance from a nurse so that she can check whether the positioning of baby and attachment to the breast is proper or lot.


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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain

Pediatrician, Cardiology

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2073 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Loose Stool And Sleeplessness In A New Born Baby?

Brief Answer: Most likely normal for this age Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for choosing this platform Pattern of newborn's stool is different from older children and adult. Newborn after birth passes black,sticky,tarry stool for 2-4 days.Then stool becomes greenish or greenish brown which is little loose in consistency called Transitional stool. This transitional stool persists for 4-6 days.After that the stool color changes to yellow,light green or brown with more liquid consistency.This stool may contains some particles (curd like)sometimes with acidic smell. Passage of stool immediately after feed is normal in this age and that is called gastrocolic reflex. Babies of this age have little control over bowel and bladder (causes frequent stool and urine may be upto 7-10 times a day). Sleep pattern is also irregular in this age as they have just came out of womb and the sleep cycle is not well established. It may take 2-3 months for the babies to get their sleep pattern like older children. Similarly movement during sleep and crying is normal in this age. I won't get worried if baby is not crying persistently for more than 2 hours,accepting feeds well, there is no vomiting and baby is active and playful. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more query. Regards