Baby Diarrhea
Facts about Baby Diarrhea
While all parents do their best to protect the health of their baby, diarrhea is one condition that occurs frequently to infants because of their undeveloped immune system. Everyone is eager to hold and cuddle a new baby, but it is important to remember that each person carries germs and bacteria that could pose a threat to the young child.
The condition called diarrhea is simply defined as the occurrence of loose, watery stools. Diarrhea can have several causes; the most common of which is the invasion of certain types of bacteria that can enter the body through contaminated foods or fluids. Viruses are also frequently the culprits. It can also be the result of an intolerance that an individual may have to a food or a component of food. Certain medical conditions can also affect the bowels, causing diarrhea; IBS, Crohn’s Disease, celiac disease and colitis are examples of disorders that can cause diarrhea. Sometimes, the very medications we take to cure one condition will actually cause the loose stools.
There are also specific parasites that, once entering the body, take up residence in the digestive system and create havoc there that results in diarrhea. In other words, it is a common condition with many causes; one that is generally not considered to be serious in itself for most people. That is because we have finely honed immune systems that are designed to weed out the bacteria, viruses and parasites and also to cause healing when we are ill.
Infants, however, are not equipped with mature immune systems at such an early age. For them, being exposed to bacteria and viruses can result in more disruptions in their health than it would for an older child. They are also being introduced to new foods and drinks that may not settle well with these undeveloped immune systems. Their bodies are undergoing numerous changes; producing teeth alone can cause fevers, pain and diarrhea. Because there are so many things that can affect the delicate system of a baby, diarrhea should not immediately alarm the parent.
It is important to recognize what is truly diarrhea in a baby. Since their exclusive intake of food consists of fluids, stools naturally tend to be soft for these infants. The occasional diaper change revealing a stool that is somewhat looser than normal is generally not a condition for which a parent should be concerned. When consistent and sudden changes in the stool occur, it should be a flag that something is going on in the baby’s system. Typically, the condition only lasts a day or two at the most, and is not considered to be a problem. What can be an issue, however, is that a great deal of the body’s fluid can be lost during a bout of diarrhea. If not replaced, the baby could become dehydrated, which can develop into a very serious condition indeed.
Dehydration can occur quickly in such a small body; especially if fever accompanies the diarrhea. While there are specific symptoms of the condition, parents are best advised to ensure the baby is receiving plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If the diarrhea continues for more than a day, consulting the pediatrician is advisable to ensure that the child is kept well hydrated.
Knowing your own baby’s system is an important way to determine if there is an issue present. Though diarrhea is a common ailment for most people, it can create different complications for a baby. Diarrhea in itself is not a condition that should alarm parents, but babies should be closely monitored to ensure that a more serious condition does not develop as a result from it.