Infant diarrhea is characterized by an increase in bowel movements that are often watery and foul smelling. eMedTV.com suggests that diarrhea in infants can cause complications, such as dehydration, if the baby's fluid intake is not monitored. Typical diarrhea occurs more than three times in a day, but most infants have more bowel movements than this. Caregivers should instead focus on how the infant seems to feel, the consistency of the stool and the foul odor.
Diet Changes
Whether an infant is breastfed or formula fed, diet changes can cause a short bout of diarrhea. Breastfeeding mothers can keep a food log to determine what foods hurt the infant's belly. Common culprits include spicy foods, caffeine and dairy products. Some infants may have a sensitivity to formula changes, so this should be attempted only when necessary. Infants may have lactose intolerance or an allergy to milk, making most traditional formulas hard on the baby's digestive system. A breastfed infant with these food issues can exhibit the same side effects after consuming milk from a mother who has ingested dairy products.
Teething
eMedTV.com suggests that one of the first signs of teething is infant diarrhea. Shortly following an episode of diarrhea, there may be other symptoms of teething, including fussiness, drooling and putting things in the mouth more frequently.
Antibiotics
Many antibiotics can cause mild diarrhea in infants. Caregivers can consult a physician or pharmacist to confirm that the diarrhea is just a side effect of the medication. In most cases, the infant can continue the medication, but dehydration is still a potential risk.
Infection
Several types of infections can cause diarrhea in infants, including viruses, bacterium or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis, also called the stomach flu, is common among infants and children. Common viruses include rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus. Common bacterial infections include salmonella, shigella and E. coli. The most likely parasite in infants is giardiasis. All intestinal infections are highly contagious. BabyCenter.com points out that other symptoms are common with abdominal infections. This includes fever, chills, vomiting and blood in the stool. Bacterial infections are more likely to cause blood in the stool than a viral infection.
Fruit Juice
When an infant consumes large quantities of fruit juice, diarrhea may occur. It is difficult to determine how much juice is too much for one infant, but starting with one recommended serving per day is best.
