Breast-feeding is recognized as beneficial in building a bond between mother and child and has been shown to promote a strong immune system for the infant. However, babies can acquire diseases and allergies through the mother's milk that can...
If you notice mucus in your bowel movements, you may be wondering if you should call your doctor. While some mucus is normal and helps your intestines efficiently and properly expel waste, large amounts of mucus over several days may indicate a...
Trying to decode your baby's bowel movements can be daunting, especially when her stool regularly changes in color or consistency. When your baby is breastfed, changes in stool are normal and you may even see mucus in her diapers from time to...
Mucus is a substance that can be clear, white or yellowish in color. Mucus is typically found throughout the gastrointestinal tract and in the airway system, such as the lining of the nose and throat. Its primary purpose is to lubricate and...
Red mucus in the stools of children is generally caused by an anal fissure. More than 90 percent of children with blood-streaked stools have an anal fissure, according to Children’s Hospital Colorado. Anal fissures are so common that 80...
The lining of the large intestine produces mucus, which serves as a lubricant for stool to pass to the anus. Mucus can be present in stool, but when the production is increased enough that you are able to see it in your child's bowel movements,...
Small amounts of mucus in the stool are often normal. MayoClinic.com describes the lining of the intestines and colon as coated in a jelly-like substance that acts as a lubricant. When the intestines get irritated by any number of things the...
Mucus in your stool after you eat wheat is most likely from wheat intolerance, not a wheat allergy. The two conditions are confused easily because they cause similar digestive issues. It's important to know which condition you have because both...
Babies' bowel movements come in a variety of colors and textures. Most parents become familiar with what's "normal" for their particular infant quickly, and often panic when something other than the norm shows up in the baby's diaper. Mucus in the...
Infant stool can be a good indicator of your baby's health, according to pediatrician Jay Gordon. The color and consistency of your child's bowel movements are sometimes the best insight you have into how your baby is feeling. Stringy, watery...
The appearance of blood and mucus in a baby's stool can be frightening for parents. Most cases of blood and mucus are harmless to the baby and either go away on their own or are easily corrected. However, parents should report any blood and mucus...
Infant stool can present in a variety of colors. Most changes in stool color are normal and nothing to be concerned about. Stool colors vary depending on your infant's age and what they are eating. A dark green or black stool is normal in newborn...
During the toddler phase of life, a child is transitioning from eating soft, pureed foods to eating a more normal diet of semi-hard foods that the whole family is enjoying. These dietary changes can contribute to various bowel inconsistencies,...
The body contains a number of mucus membranes located in various areas of the body. Mucus helps to protect the body by trapping foreign objects and preventing them from invading the body cells. Mucus also lines the organs and keeps them moist and...
As a new parent, you will probably find yourself paying close attention to your baby's stools. Whether you're breast-feeding or formula feeding, you can learn a lot about your baby's digestion and health from observing his stools. Until your baby...
Blood and mucus in a child's stool can be alarming to parents. There are several causes of rectal bleeding, and doctors can determine the cause based on taking a careful history and an examination and through imaging and laboratory testing....
Infant stool comes in an astonishing array of colors and textures, and it often serves as a helpful guidepost in assessing your baby's gastrointestinal health. Although mucus and blood may appear in a healthy infant's stool, they could also be a...
A baby's stool will change color, shape, odor and frequency numerous times, especially throughout the first year of life. A breastfed baby's stools are often softer, milder in odor and more yellow compared to those of a formula-fed baby. Noticing...
Keeping track of the contents of a breast-fed baby’s diapers helps breast-feeding mothers ensure baby is getting enough to eat. Mucus in your baby’s diaper is not unusual, even in a breast-fed baby, and most of the time, it is not a...
Diarrhea is not always a sign of illness. For some children, the occasional bout may be normal, even if it contains mucus. The key is to know when diarrhea is a symptom of a problem. Factors to evaluate include the frequency and consistency of the...
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common condition of the large intestines. It affects approximately 20 percent of Americans and is characterized by symptoms such as gas, bloating, stomach cramps, stomach pain and mucus in the stool....
An anal fissure is a small tear or cut in the wall of the anus. Signs of an anal fissure include painful bowel movements, blood streaks or mucus on the stool or on toilet tissue, and anal itching. Anal fissures may happen to anyone but are more...
Mucus is a jelly-like substance that can appear white, clear or yellowish. The lining of the large intestine produces the mucus found in bowel movements. Normal stool may contain small amounts of mucus. Conditions that irritate the lining of the...
Irritable bowel syndrome, also called IBS, is a common condition affecting the portion of your colon known as the large intestine. Symptoms include abdominal pain or cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation and mucus in the stool, and they...
Peppermint oil is extracted from the leaves of peppermint plants. Because it is an anti-spasmodic that calms muscles in the stomach and intestines, studies have indicated that it may be able to treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. These...
Imodium A-D was once a prescription medication, but it can now be purchased over-the-counter to treat diarrhea. The active ingredient in this medicine that slows the movement of the intestines to stop diarrhea is called loperamide HCl. As with any...
Finding blood in your baby's stool can be alarming to a parent. A variety of conditions can cause a bloody stool in an infant. Fortunately, the more common causes are benign. While some conditions causing bloody stool do not require any specific...
The National Institutes of Health defines constipation as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. People with constipation typically report dry, hard, compact stools that are difficult to eliminate. Short-term effects of...
Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin present in certain foods. The human body needs vitamin B-12 to make healthy red blood cells and to keep the nervous system healthy, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B-12, also known...
