When an infant passes more bowel movements in a day that are watery, foul-smelling or of greater size than normal, it is likely he has diarrhea. Soft stools are quite common during the first year of life, especially in breastfed babies. The most likely source of diarrhea in a baby is some form of infection from various viruses or bacteria, states eMedTV.com. Treatment usually consists of keeping the baby hydrated and comfortable until the condition passes.
Viral Gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis is the medical term given to the stomach flu, or an infection causing diarrhea. Rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus are the most common viral causes of baby diarrhea. Rotavirus is responsible for about 5 to 10 percent of all cases of diarrhea in the United States in children under five years of age, states eMedTV.com. These infections are passed from one ill baby to another, such as by sharing toys. A baby with a viral infection may have blood, mucus or pus in the stool. She may also develop a fever over 100.4 degrees F and have diarrhea lasting for more than eight hours. Medical examination is needed when these symptoms occur to reduce the risk of complications such as dehydration.
Diet
Whether an infant is breastfed or formula-fed, milk and dairy products can lead to diarrhea if the child is suffering from an allergy or intolerance to dairy proteins. A breastfeeding woman can identify dairy as the cause of her infant's diarrhea by keeping a food log of everything she consumes and eliminating all dairy products for at least seven days. Once the diarrhea stops, the mother can reintroduce dairy to her diet. If the baby develops diarrhea again it is likely that the mother should avoid dairy while nursing. Other strong foods, such as garlic, can create the same effect in an infant, and can be identified using the elimination diet and food log method. The baby may outgrow this sensitivity after the first birthday. Formula-fed babies may need to be offered a soy or non-dairy formula, but this should be done under the advice of a health care professional. Drinking juices high in sorbitol, such as apple or pear juice, can upset an infant's stomach, states BabyCenter.com.
Bacterial Infections
Some common bacterial causes of infant diarrhea include salmonella, shigella or E. coli, according to eMedTV.com. These bacteria are found in foods such as eggs, poultry, hamburger and foods made with these ingredients. While an infant may not eat such foods, if a caregiver gets sick from the bacteria they can pass the infection on to the baby. Poor hand-washing techniques following a bowel movement can carry the bacteria from the caregiver's feces to an object that the infant places in the mouth, resulting in infection.
Antibiotics
Diarrhea is a potential side effect of taking antibiotics. The reason for this is that antibiotics are indiscriminate and kill both good and bad bacteria. This results in the digestive system being upset and an infant having diarrhea. This side effect is generally tolerable and goes away as soon as the medication is completed.
Parasitic Infection
Parasites can infect a babies' digestive tract, leading to gas, bloating, diarrhea and greasy stools. BabyCenter.com explains that parasitic infections are often spread in group care settings such as daycare centers. Treatment of a parasite infection requires medical intervention. This type of diarrhea doesn't resolve on its own without the risk of complications such as weight loss and abdominal cramping.
