6 mo old...need poop advice!

[Anonymous]

My 6-mo old DS has had 1-2 BLOWOUT diapers per day for the past 3 weeks or so. We started solids at 4.5 mos, and I've stopped introducing new foods until I can figure out the culprit. I've gone back to just apples, sweet potatos, carrots, peas, and bananas. I switched from rice cereal to oatmeal wondering if that would help, and there is no change. For solids, he'll usually eat two servings of rice cereal (or now oatmeal) per day, once served with a fruit, and once served with a vegetable. He'll usually finish the entire 4oz jar of food. He is breastfed in the morning, evening, and overnight, and formula-fed during the day (abt 12 oz of formula). We haven't switched his formula, and I haven't changed my diet. He is otherwise very happy, and while he's never been a great sleeper, seems to be doing a little better in that department. I can't figure it out...any ideas?

Of course, I'll continue the conversation with his ped, but I thought I'd tap you for ideas (and I just KNOW that you wanted to learn all about his poop!)

[Anonymous]

By blowouts, I assume you mean that when you look at it you can't imagine HOW all of that came out of a such a little one.

My son has blowouts, too, and they did start after we introduced solids. Always check with your ped., but I really don't think there's anything to worry about. BMs change as they get older.

Exclusively breastfed babies have fewer b/c more of the mother's milk is absorbed by the body. When you add formula and food to the mix (my baby's been on solids since 4 mos. and switched to formula at 6 mos.), the BMs start to change in smell, texture and size.

As long as he's going - and they're not ball-like in appearance, he should be fine. His system is working!

kind of gross, sorry, but that's been my experience

[Anonymous]

Move up a size in diapers.

[Anonymous]

My DD never had blowouts until we started her on solids 2 weeks ago. Now she has at least one a day, if not two.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for your thoughts. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one with this issue! I tried a size larger diaper (sz 4), but it leaked. It was just too big on him. Maybe I'll try a different brand in a sz 4. Ped says not to worry unless he's exhibiting other symptoms - fever, wheezing, coughing, mucous, etc...but like one of you said, I can't understand HOW that quantity of poop is coming out of such a little guy SO often!

We'll just keep doing laundry, I guess!!

Thanks for your input!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for your thoughts. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one with this issue! I tried a size larger diaper (sz 4), but it leaked. It was just too big on him. Maybe I'll try a different brand in a sz 4. Ped says not to worry unless he's exhibiting other symptoms - fever, wheezing, coughing, mucous, etc...but like one of you said, I can't understand HOW that quantity of poop is coming out of such a little guy SO often!

We'll just keep doing laundry, I guess!!

Thanks for your input!

I was just about to say not to worry too much unless there are other distressing signs - fever, lethargic, excessive gas, rash, recovering from a cold/virus, acute vs. chronic condition, etc.

Are the poops normal color, runny, foul smelling (although smell is rather subjective)? If you fear that your child's poops are really excessive and worry about nutrient/vitamin/dehydrated absorption than I would ask your ped. at the next month's wellness visit, but other than that just continue with the foods that seem "safe" until you can figure out if there is indeed a culprit (assuming it's food related). And if you are still nursing than the baby should be fine (since the breast milk is still the primary source of nutrition).

Think of it this way - at least your child isn't constipated - a much more serious and harder thing to take care of verse changing a really dirty diaper 2x a day. It actually sounds sorta normal. Our nurse told us that 1 good poop a day is a sign of a well functioning body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was just about to say not to worry too much unless there are other distressing signs - fever, lethargic, excessive gas, rash, recovering from a cold/virus, acute vs. chronic condition, etc.

Agree with this advice.