Encyclopedia 

Yellow stool with mucus in the baby. Incorrect introduction of complementary foods, errors in the nutrition of the baby. Why does she appear

In the first year of life, a child can often puzzle parents with his behavior, sometimes amusing, sometimes causing panic. Often panic in inexperienced mothers causes mucus in the feces of the baby. However, doctors believe that it is not always a pathology. The appearance of mucus at this stage of the development of the child is caused by the immaturity of the intestine. If it is not accompanied by poor health of the baby, this should not be alarming.

Differences in mucus in the stool in a newborn

Mucus lines the inside of the intestines, protecting it from injury. It mixes with the feces and is not excreted in them. In infants, the work of the intestines is only adjusted, various disturbances in the process of digestion, mechanical damage to the mucous membrane or inflammation are possible. Until a normal healthy microflora is established in the intestines, the appearance of liquid, mucus and foam in the feces of a baby, a change in its color - considered normal.

However, if mucus appears often and in large quantities, there is a poor appetite, sleep and well-being of the baby - you need to consult a doctor. The abundance of mucus in the feces indicates a strong inflammatory process.

Having determined the presence and amount of mucus in the feces of a child, it is necessary to evaluate its color and accompanying symptoms in order to understand what caused its appearance.

Related article: To dismiss the problem of diarrhea in a child, you must know.

Why does a baby poop with mucus

While the child is developing in utero, his gastrointestinal tract is sterile. The first bacteria are settled only after birth, when the baby begins to feed on milk. Until a favorable microflora is established in the intestines, feces with mucus, a heterogeneous consistency, and a green color will be frequent. By the end of the first month of life, the stool, as a rule, improves, its color and consistency return to normal.

The appearance of these symptoms after the passage of the transition period can be caused by various reasons, both requiring special attention and seeking medical attention, and relatively harmless.

Reaction to food

Mucus in the feces of a baby may be the body's reaction to the introduction of complementary foods. Especially often this is caused by vegetable purees. The stool changes consistency (it can become both more liquid and thicker), acquires a greenish tint. With such a reaction, it is necessary to reduce the portion of complementary foods, change to another, or temporarily abandon it altogether.

Improper nutrition

GV- If the baby is breastfed, mucus may indicate the mother's malnutrition. Her diet should not contain a lot of fatty, fried and spicy foods - it makes milk difficult for the baby to digest and his gastrointestinal tract can not cope with the task. Mucus also appears as a result of mom's abuse of seasonal fruits and vegetables, which can cause an allergic reaction in a child.

IV- If the baby is bottle-fed, mucus can be caused by the wrong choice of mixture, an allergy to it. A pediatrician will help you choose a more suitable mixture - how to choose the right mixture.

Disrupted feeding regimen

Too large portions and long breaks between feedings can cause undigested milk to ferment in the baby's intestines. Also the formation of mucus that comes out with feces.

Read: Which feeding to choose, by the hour or on demand -

Runny nose

Mucus caused by a viral illness or a cold can pass from the nose into the mouth and be expelled from the body through bowel movements. As a rule, there is very little of it, the color is transparent.

Medication

Medicines taken by both the mother and the baby itself can cause intestinal disturbances. Mucus stools in infants cause cough, runny nose, or colic.

Underfeeding

A breastfed baby receives two types of milk in one feeding: the so-called fore and hind. The second is more nutritious and fatty. It contains the enzyme necessary for the digestion of milk - lactase. If we take the baby from the breast too early, he will not receive hind milk and lactase, as a result, fermentation may begin, mucus will appear, and the stool will acquire a greenish tint.

Microorganisms in breast milk

If the baby poops badly, the stool is liquid, there is mucus in it - it is necessary to check the breast milk for sterility. However, even if unsuitable microbes are found in it, feeding is not stopped, and mother and baby undergo a course of special treatment.

All these reasons are easily eliminated and the baby's stool returns to normal. But there are more serious reasons that cause mucus in the stool. In such cases, it will not be possible to do without medical help.

Dysbacteriosis

If the number of pathogenic bacteria exceeds the number of beneficial ones, dysbacteriosis occurs. In a mild form, the baby may be disturbed by bloating, colic, constipation and mucus in the stool. In a severe form of dysbacteriosis, mucus appears with blood, lumps of curdled milk are visible in the feces, the baby has diarrhea, anxiety and poor appetite. A clot or streaks of blood in the stool indicates damage to the intestinal mucosa.

Dysbacteriosis requires a comprehensive and thoughtful treatment. First of all, it is necessary to cure damage to the mucosa. After that, with the help of special preparations, the intestinal microflora is normalized. It is important to remember that even the highest quality treatment is not a guarantee that dysbacteriosis will not return again. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor the nutrition and diet of the baby.

Some doctors are of the opinion that dysbacteriosis in infants does not need to be treated, since interference with the natural process of forming balance and immunity can “spoil” the body. In any case, it should not be at this time - breast milk contains a large number of components necessary for the baby, which will help him cope with the disease. At the same time, while the baby is sick, the mother must follow her diet very carefully so as not to overload the child's digestive system.

Healthy: How to cope with dysbacteriosis in an infant and how it can be dangerous -.

Intussusception (intestinal obstruction)

A very dangerous disease, often requiring surgical intervention, is intussusception of the intestine. It is caused by crushing one or more of its sections. Intestinal obstruction is accompanied by severe pain that manifests itself during and after eating, profuse fountain-like vomiting. At first, the child's stool becomes watery, fluid, mucus and streaks of blood appear in it. By the end of the day, the feces consist only of mucus and bloody streaks.

The surgeon can open the compressed bowel using a barium enema.

It is important to consult a doctor in time, because the newborn may die from blood poisoning, dehydration or pain shock.

Bacterial and viral infections

White mucus is a symptom of the development of a bacterial infection in the intestines of the crumbs and is accompanied by diarrhea, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and dehydration. The latter is especially dangerous for the baby, since changes in his body occur quickly and from a sharp loss of fluid. the child can die quickly. It is possible to distinguish an infection from a dysbacteriosis by passing tests for seeding. In severe cases, hospitalization is required.

lactase deficiency

Mucus in the feces of a baby may indicate lactase deficiency. Lactase is needed for the digestion of milk sugar - lactose. If the baby suffers from a congenital deficiency of this enzyme, milk is not fully absorbed and fermentation begins in the body. Also, lactase can be destroyed by microbes that inhabit the small intestine. Because of this, the stool becomes watery, liquid, mucus and an admixture of milk appear in it. The child is worried about gases, abdominal pain.

To clarify the diagnosis, a stool analysis for carbohydrates is performed. If the baby is breastfed, the mother should follow a dairy-free diet and the baby should take lactase supplements. With artificial feeding, you need to choose a lactose-free mixture.

gluten deficiency

Mucus in a newborn's stool can be caused by gluten deficiency (celiac disease). In this disease, the body does not produce the enzyme needed to digest gluten. As a result, it cannot be completely broken down and forms toxic substances that damage the intestinal mucosa. Celiac disease usually manifests itself with the introduction of complementary foods. The baby begins to lag behind in weight, he is worried about bloating. The chair is frequent, contains fat and mucus, mushy, with an unpleasant odor.

If the symptoms are recognized and diagnosed in time, the severe consequences of the disease can be avoided and its manifestations minimized with the help of a properly selected gluten-free diet.

The main gluten-containing foods include:

  • Cereals and products from them (wheat, oats, bread, pastries, pasta);
  • Soya and products from it;
  • Some sweets (sweets, ice cream, churchkhela);
  • Sauces and dressings (mayonnaise, ketchup, spices, bouillon cubes);
  • Soups and second courses of fast food;
  • Chips, crab sticks, french fries;
  • Some alcoholic drinks (beer, vodka);
  • Canned tomato.

Atopic dermatitis, allergic reactions

If the baby suffers from atopic dermatitis or allergies, this is primarily displayed on the skin: a rash appears, peeling. But not infrequently, allergic reactions also affect the mucous membranes of the baby's gastrointestinal tract, then mucus appears in the stool.

Modern medicine is able to identify any of these problems at the earliest stages, and this is one of the main keys to successful treatment. Therefore, do not ignore the alarming signs in the stool and the behavior of the baby.

Read more:

  1. How to stop diarrhea in newborns and why it is strange -
  2. If the baby is constipated, then try giving him an enema -

To see mucus in the form of jelly-like secretions, mainly with leukocytes and epithelial cells in the feces of a newborn who is breastfed, means to become an eyewitness of either a natural physiological phenomenon or a purely abnormal one.

A small amount of mucus in the feces of a baby is not normal, according to pediatricians, and there is no reason for concern.

According to doctors, normal bowel movements in a baby resemble the texture of high-viscosity yellow cream that smells sour. If they contain a little bit of colorless blotches, then the child's body produces the very useful mucus, which not only signals a load on the intestines, but also improves the digestion of food in the digestive tract.

Veins and lumps of white, yellow, green or brown color suddenly found in the excrement also indicate the appearance of mucus in the feces of the baby.

Causes of mucus in the stool

Mucus appears in the body of a newborn when the process of digestion takes place: this substance is involved in the mechanical and chemical processing of food in the gastrointestinal tract and is excreted from the body naturally along with feces.

This will surprise someone, but in the following cases, mucus in the feces of a child who is breastfed usually speaks of the norm:

  • the baby has a runny nose and snot flows during lactation, which the baby swallows;
  • in a breastfed baby, overeating with mother's milk;
  • the child's body has an undeveloped enzymatic system.

Although parents should be alerted by the lumps and strips of mucus diagnosed in the feces of the child, often plentiful, opaque and smelly. After all, they can testify:

  • about irrational nutrition of a nursing woman;
  • imbalance of intestinal microflora in infants;
  • about acute intestinal infection;
  • invaginations;
  • about the lack of the enzyme lactase;
  • about allergic reactions;
  • the response of the child's body to the mother's medication.

Sometimes you can solve this problem on your own by refusing to use medicines, adjusting the diet, including hypoallergenic foods that are rich in vitamins and microelements in the diet.

What should be done in other situations or if we cannot cope on our own? Make an appointment with a pediatrician without delay so that the first months of a baby’s life do not become one big nightmare! You can find out from a specialist why the child fell ill, how to help him.

It is advisable to go to the clinic or call an ambulance home with a certain set of knowledge: it will be easier for the doctor to express himself to the client.

Dysbacteriosis

Symptoms of dysbacteriosis in a child are simple: loose stools with an ordinary color and smell and clear mucus. There are no other symptoms.

To make sure the guesses are correct, you need to ask the doctor about the appointment of tests (yes, he will prescribe them himself). The main thing is not to panic, dysbacteriosis is not a disease, but a violation of the microflora of the well-known abdominal organ.

With changes in the stool due to a bacterial infection, the therapist prescribes prebiotics. Mothers are advised to take care of the health of the crumbs and their own, adjusting the diet for the better.

School of Dr. Komarovsky about dysbacteriosis:

Intestinal infections or viruses

Foul-smelling colored mucus usually indicates an intestinal infection. If the baby has a greenish tint, then most likely the baby is sick with dysentery (a general infectious disorder of the body, in particular damage to the distal colon).

Green mucus in the feces of a breastfed baby can also be a sign of enteritis (inflammation and dystrophy of the small intestine).

If the child suffers from bacterial colitis that harms the intestinal mucosa, then green mucus will certainly be fixed in the feces.

In fact, the reasons are very different, but all breastfed children, without exception, require immediate mother's and medical attention so that the disease does not progress. Yellow mucus with an increased number of leukocytes or impurities in the feces of a breastfed baby is a warning that inflammation is increasing!

With such diseases of the intestine, complex therapy is indicated:

  1. Reception by the baby of a sufficient amount of water (50-100 milliliters of liquid at a time).
  2. Prescribing antibiotics.
  3. Normalization of the microflora of the digestive system with auxiliary preparations.
  4. Feeding good quality breast milk.

School of Dr. Komarovsky about intestinal infection:

Intestinal invagenitis

A very dangerous disease, which is a partial obstruction of the intestine. Let's talk about the symptoms and treatment.

During and after feeding, the child is diagnosed with severe abdominal pain and vomiting “like from a fountain”. The child poops more often, and the feces look like slurry. If the mucus in the feces of a breastfed baby is brown, this indicates an admixture of blood. After 24 hours from the moment of the development of the disease, instead of the stool as such, a lump of mucus with thin bloody streaks already comes out.

Only a surgeon can carry out therapy for intestinal invaginitis. To melt the intestines, he gives the baby an enema with barium. If help is not provided in a timely manner, then death will occur as a result of lack of water, blood poisoning or traumatic shock.

lactase deficiency

Often, the treatment of the cause of "bad" mucus in children's feces is aimed at compensating for the lack of the lactase enzyme. If it is not enough in the body, milk sugars are fermented unimportantly. What causes lactase deficiency?

Firstly, it may be absent in principle or be destroyed by pathogenic microbes in the small intestine. The absence of this catalyst in the body of chemical reactions is fraught with fermentation in the intestines and, as a result, flatulence, pain, diarrhea, excrement with mucous secretions in the structure, lumps of fermented milk.

To identify such a condition, it is required to test the feces for the presence of carbon hydrates in it.

Treatment consists in the use of drugs with lactase as prescribed by the doctor. Although in case of hypersensitivity to any component of the dietary supplement, it is worth delaying breastfeeding and switching to artificial.

Dr. Komarovsky about lactase deficiency:

Allergic reaction

It happens that breastfeeding is a provocation of allergies. As a result of the negligent attitude of a nursing mother, whose nutrition was selected without taking into account the characteristics of the child's body, he is covered from head to toe (or locally) with red flaky spots. Mucous patches can often be found in the stools.

As part of the mother’s therapy, it is worth giving up breastfeeding for a while and overhauling the set of food products: honey, nuts, condensed milk, citrus fruits, chocolate must be dosed correctly!

During lactation, in order to avoid allergic reactions in breastfeeding infants and the appearance of mucus in the feces, it is advisable to remove peanuts, spices, cheese, caviar, and some berries from the diet.

Mother's milk has become "clean" and safe - it's time to start establishing guards, and the problems associated with rashes are probably already in the past.


Medications

Medicines taken by a nursing woman can adversely affect the well-being of the child. In addition to individual contraindications, there is a whole set of drugs that are prohibited during lactation.

The symptoms are:

  • the baby's immunity is reduced; there are problems with the kidneys, liver, allergies;
  • decreased muscle tone;
  • the child remains hungry due to the development of breast milk deficiency;
  • constantly wants to sleep;
  • adults fix a clear secret in his excrement.

In feces, mucus is also usually diagnosed from preparations based on the substance "simethicone" against gas formation in the children's intestines. One has only to stop therapy, as the mucous veins disappear from the "night gold" of the baby.

Improper nutrition of the baby

The baby's stool may change due to the wrong children's menu. Nutrition affects not only the mental development of the baby, but also the volume of mucous secretions in the feces.

The more mucus, the more liquid the baby needs. Or it requires a wiser introduction of complementary foods, because the development of the ability to digest new food greatly affects the type of food. The digestive system develops by months, therefore, the child is fed in accordance with its physiological age: food products that are more solid in comparison with breast milk are given no earlier than at 6 months.

It is better to start with freshly prepared homogenized vegetable purees (for overweight, a tendency to constipation) or warm gluten-free liquid cereals (for underweight). Pureed lean meat, hypoallergenic fruits and fish are introduced last.

Abundant mucus in the feces is a reaction to food that is lumpy or rough for the body, for example, cow's milk protein, which is not digested and absorbed in the intestines in everyone.

In another situation, it is necessary to simply reduce the hours between meals.


Conclusion

Mucus in the feces of a breastfed baby does not always indicate pathology: there are reasons for this.

The intestinal glands produce some mucus so that the feces move more easily and are evacuated from the colon to the outside. Foul-smelling opaque mucous discharge may appear due to the course of a certain disease / inadequate response to the components of food and tablets. Treating the cause of mucus formation, in fact not at all life-threatening, will eventually eliminate it itself! That is why it is advisable to pay more attention to the consistency of the baby's stool.

Developing in the mother's womb, the fetus is fed by blood flow, and its digestive system is in a sterile state. The birth gives impetus to the formation of all systems of the baby to adulthood. New nutrition in the form of breast milk also rebuilds the work of the gastrointestinal tract of the baby. During the transitional period, the stomach and intestines are filled with beneficial microflora. The baby's stool reflects these changes, and pediatricians consider the presence of mucus in it to be a normal physiological process.

However, not all mucus that appears in is a safe phenomenon. It is important and helpful for parents to know when a strange admixture in the stool needs close attention. Feces of the baby is a litmus of the body, signaling the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract or malfunctions in its functioning.

In the first year of life, the baby's stool normally has a uniform (light golden) color, moderately liquid and smearing in consistency. The smell of the baby's feces is slightly sour, it should not contain any foreign inclusions. The characteristics of a healthy stool are the same for all babies, both breastfeeding and breastfeeding.


It can vary in color and consistency, contain food debris, mucus, foam, but only in special cases, parents should sound the alarm. Immediate contact with a pediatrician is required in the presence of the following manifestations:

  1. Mucus in the feces of infants with blood impurities. Appears against the background of high fever, dehydration and general malaise. An intestinal infection is suspected, the child must be hospitalized.
  2. The green shade of mucus, which persists for a long time, indicates an inflammatory process in the intestines of the baby or malnutrition of the child. If the green mucus in the feces of the baby is accompanied by an allergic reaction, the child loses weight, suffers from colic, looks lethargic, it should be shown to the doctor.
  3. The white color of mucus with a lack of weight and growth is associated with an enzymatic deficiency. Consultation of a pediatrician and a gastroenterologist is required.
  4. Foam with mucus in the feces of the crumbs appears with lactase deficiency. The disease can be hereditary, when the child's body does not absorb milk sugar, against the background of the disease, the development of dysbacteriosis is possible. To clarify the diagnosis, a fecal analysis for the content of carbohydrates is prescribed.

What are the causes of mucus?

What are the causes that form mucus in the feces of a baby, what is their danger, and how can they be caused? A certain amount of it is included in the normative indicators of the first days of a baby's life. If the volume of mucus increases and its color changes, parents should be alarmed. Investigating the causes of mucus, doctors attributed several negative factors to them:

  • dysbacteriosis disease;
  • intestinal invaginitis;
  • malnutrition;
  • lactase deficiency;
  • allergy;
  • medication.

Causes and their clinical characteristics


We will give a detailed description of the identified causes in order to facilitate the process of recognizing the disease for parents. Remember the following:

  1. Dysbacteriosis. The disease develops during the period of active formation of microflora in the child's gastrointestinal tract, when pathogenic microorganisms multiply faster than their beneficial counterparts. The baby's body can not cope with cardinal changes and reacts violently to them. A mild form of dysbacteriosis causes stool with mucus in infants, constipation and flatulence.
  2. Intestinal invaginitis. A dangerous disease that can lead to death. If the mucus in the feces of the baby is mixed with blood, and a day later it comes out in lumps with blood streaks, the child is immediately hospitalized. The peculiarity of intestinal invaginitis is that it provokes intestinal obstruction. The baby suffers from pain in the tummy, he starts vomiting. The child needs urgent hospitalization and emergency treatment.
  3. Power errors. Non-compliance with the regimen and a balanced diet has a bad effect on the digestion of crumbs. The amount of mucous secretions increases if the baby does not receive enough fluid, complementary foods are introduced out of time, and there are long breaks between feedings. It is the responsibility of the mother to monitor the nutrition of the baby.
  4. lactase deficiency. The white color of the discharge is a sure sign of a deficiency of a special enzyme that promotes the absorption of mother's milk by the baby's body. The intestines react to the lack of the enzyme by fermentation processes, the child develops flatulence, diarrhea, mucus mixes with white lumps of poorly processed milk.
  5. Allergy. Some types of allergies affect the intestinal mucosa, which leads to the release of mucus in the feces in large quantities. Especially carefully monitor the reaction of the baby with the introduction of complementary foods. New foods may affect changes in feces.
  6. Medicines. Taking certain medications by a mother or baby can cause mucus in. There is no danger in this state, but the mother should watch the baby and stop taking drugs that provoke an annoying reaction.

What treatment is used?

Suspicious color and volume of mucus in the feces of a baby is a serious reason to seek medical help. The doctor will conduct the necessary tests and make a diagnosis. Treatment is to eliminate the primary source of mucus formation. So, with dysbacteriosis, complex therapy is carried out, which includes drugs that suppress the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms and stimulate the formation of beneficial microflora.


Intestinal intussusception is treated surgically by introducing a barium enema to the child. Entering the intestine, barium straightens it, eliminating partial obstruction. If the cause of mucus is lactase deficiency, dairy products are excluded from the baby's diet. Breastfed babies should take a special enzyme preparation. To eliminate the mucus that appeared as a result of an allergic reaction of the baby's body, the doctor identifies the culprit of the allergy and stops its action.

What can parents do? No self-treatment, so as not to harm the baby. Newfangled probiotics, promising an immediate restoration of the microflora in the intestines of a child, are taken only after consulting a doctor. The baby's body is too vulnerable to experiment with it.

Having noticed mucus in the baby's feces, visually determine its color and volume, remember that a small amount of it is considered the norm for an infant. The task of parents is to properly regulate the diet, observe the feeding regime, and carefully introduce complementary foods. If the reason is more serious than malnutrition, it is better to show the baby to the pediatrician.

A newborn is happiness along with constant worries about the health of the baby. Parents often have to deal with the problem of unstable stools, accompanied by mucous secretions in infants. Lack of experience breeds panic.

According to doctors, mucus in the feces is a normal occurrence in infants. This process is observed in them in the initial stages of development.

Dark green stool without a strong odor is meconium, containing the remains of amniotic fluid and digestive products of infants. All excess, unnecessary waste products can be excreted from the body with feces in the first week of life.

It is important that the extreme abundance of mucus, the specific smell and color, the unwell baby is a sure sign that you need to see a doctor and sound the alarm.

The following are considered indicators of health in children in the first postpartum week:

  • thick feces;
  • no strong odor;
  • color green, dark green, blackish;
  • no lumps and spotting;
  • the frequency of bowel movements is within the average values, taking into account individual qualities;
  • health is good, the newborn does not cry for no reason;

Over the next 3-4 days, bowel movements from dark colors of paints will be transformed into grayish-green and yellow tones, wet discharge gradually disappears. The frequency of calls to the toilet increases. In infants who are on artificial feeding, the frequency of urges is less frequent. It is worth noting that the structure of the baby's feces differs sharply from the defecation of children on artificial feeding.

A month after birth, the body begins to adapt to the outside world, more stable to perform its functions.

Signs of a deviation in the characteristics of bowel movements from the norm:

  • noticeable weight loss;
  • lumps and unusual stripes are noticeable in the composition;
  • bloody discharge is observed;
  • there was a sour smell;
  • regurgitation became more frequent;
  • the stool has abundant mucus and has acquired an atypical color;
  • frequent or painful bowel movements;
  • diarrhea and vomiting;
  • temperature increase;
  • the baby is restless, crying for no apparent reason.

The mother's first aid in such situations is to review her diet, replenish it with fermented milk products, drink plenty of warm liquids, and exclude unsuitable foods from the menu.
A light circular massage of the abdomen reduces the pain of the baby and is an additional measure to improve the digestive processes.

If you experience anxiety symptoms, you need to contact a specialist. Doctors should find out the reasons for the deviations, if there are indications, prescribe the appropriate treatment.

The main reason for the appearance of stools with mucus in infants is malnutrition - both the baby and the mother.
Dysbacteriosis is a common manifestation in newborns. Diarrhea and mucus in the stool can cause intestinal upset and digestive problems in infants. Until the stomach has adapted to the environment, digestive problems will often torment. It is possible to identify the diagnosis by making an analysis of the intestinal flora - to pass feces for dysbacteriosis.

Lack / excess of milk and nutrients leads to complications throughout the body. The main thing for a young mother is to learn to feel her child, to understand in time whether he is hungry, or vice versa, overeats. It should be borne in mind that in order to satisfy the hunger, the baby needs about 15-20 minutes of enhanced feeding. Milk should not be liquid or fatty. This effect can be achieved by increasing / decreasing fluid intake, nutritious food.

With noticeable weight loss, it is necessary to check whether the mother has enough milk to fully feed the baby. There are many ways to restore it.

The mother's diet is important for the stable functioning of the child's digestion. It should contain the necessary amounts of nutrients and vitamins.

  • fresh fruits;
  • fresh and boiled cabbage;
  • baked potato;
  • natural juices;
  • citrus;
  • various seasonings;
  • flour products, often provoking constipation and colic;
  • vegetables and fruits of bright colors, as they contain powerful allergens;
  • spicy and salty food and others.

Unusual stool discharge occurs after the introduction of complementary foods / inappropriate choice of formula. In such cases, it is necessary to reduce the volume of portions, to see if this is reflected in the stool. If necessary, it is recommended to stop the introduction of complementary foods / change the mixture.

Other external factors affecting the change in the composition of feces

  • Acute infections that occur in the intestines are difficult for children at an early age. Diarrhea, stools with mucus and clots, vomiting, high body temperature, dehydration are the main companions of such diseases.
  • Colds accompanied by a runny nose are the causes of mucus in the feces of adults and children.
  • Medications and various drugs taken by the mother are able to penetrate the baby's stomach during breastfeeding.
  • You can avoid dangerous consequences by stopping breastfeeding while taking medications.
  • Inflammation of the skin caused by various forms of allergens may be accompanied by disturbances in the composition of the feces.

In any case, abundant feces with mucus with an unusual color in an infant is a clear reason for observation by a doctor.

For a long nine months, the baby grew up in the womb of his mother, fed through the placenta, and all metabolic processes proceeded independently of him. From the moment of birth, it begins to function as a separate organism. And after he starts breathing, the biggest problem is starting the digestive system. Gradually, the stomach and intestines learn to digest incoming foods. First it is colostrum, then breast milk, and only then solid food.

While the digestive system adapts to such changes, parents have to go through difficult times. These are colic and nocturnal restlessness, constipation and diarrhea. And there is such a frightening symptom as mucus in the stool. This happens a lot with babies.

What it is?

In fact, it can be both a variant of the norm and a symptom of the disease. Therefore, if something bothers you in the behavior of the crumbs, and in addition you notice an increase in the amount of mucus, then you should immediately pay attention to this pediatrician.

Let's turn to physiology to understand what the mucus in the feces of a baby is. In fact, the intestinal glands are adapted to produce it. However, normally there is very little of it, it lines the walls and performs protective functions. In a baby, the body still does not work quite the same way as in an adult, so the production of this secret is sometimes corrected by external or internal factors.

How to distinguish the norm from the pathology? In fact, everything is quite simple. Pediatricians always tell parents: if the baby is gaining weight normally, then there is no reason to worry. From the point of view of physiology, the mucus in the feces of a baby is a clot that consists of epithelial tissue. The viscous substance contains antiseptics and immunoglobulins. What does it say? The fact that mucus in the feces of a baby is an attempt by the body to protect itself from irritating factors.

Age features

Discharge from the intestines will gradually change. This is due to the fact that the activity of the intestine is improved. The mucus in the feces of the baby changes its color from the moment of birth. Immediately after the baby is born, the feces are black with a greenish tint. This is a sticky mass that is difficult to remove from diapers, and it is quite difficult to detect mucus in it.

Later, the feces become gray-green in color, and after a month it turns yellow. You yourself can determine the normal functioning of the microflora. Normally, the baby's stool is a heterogeneous mass with streaks of undigested milk, with a sour smell of kefir and a slight admixture of mucus. If there is a lot of it, this indicates pathological processes in the child's body.

What do you need to pay attention to?

Mucus feces in infants is not an alarming symptom, but any changes in the appearance of a child's feces are best discussed with a pediatrician. He can reassure him if everything is in order, or send him for examination if the change in stool also alerts him.

Mucus can be easily distinguished by jelly-like inclusions. It can be streaks or a noticeable lump, which is clearly different in consistency from the total mass. It is advisable to pay attention to the color of the discharge. It depends on the enzymes produced, which indicates the cause of their appearance. In addition, there are accompanying signs that indicate the presence of pathological processes. This is a deterioration in the child's well-being, a decrease in activity and a slow weight gain. The baby usually has trouble sleeping.

Mom's nutrition

Very often, the cause of mucus in the feces of a baby is just what mom ate today. It depends on the sensitivity of the child. One will not notice a chocolate bar, while the other will react sharply to harmless vegetables and kefir. If the baby is artificially fed, he reacts to a change in mixtures or an increase in the amount of complementary foods. An allergic reaction can also be the cause of an increase in the amount of mucus. In addition, a change in the consistency of feces and the volume of mucus can be caused by the following factors.

If the stool is greenish

This phenomenon occurs very often and always alarms young parents. In fact, the simple staining of feces in green is not a dangerous phenomenon. If the behavior of the crumbs remains the same, then you can calm down. Most often, these changes occur due to a change in diet.

But it must be added that green mucus in the feces of a baby is a phenomenon of a slightly different nature. If at the same time foam or an unpleasant odor is also added, then the presence of a disease is quite possible. In any case, only a specialist can diagnose it. Symptoms can immediately indicate a number of problems, and only laboratory tests will give an accurate answer.

Diarrhea with mucus

The definition itself is difficult to understand. In an infant, the stool itself is liquid and frequent. Therefore, the main factor here is just the type of mucus in the feces of the baby. A photo of the bowel movements, as well as a description of the situation by the parents, will not tell the doctor anything and is not the basis for prescribing treatment. Be sure to conduct laboratory research.

Liquid stool with mucus indicates dysbacteriosis. If it continues for several days and persists with a balanced diet, you should contact your pediatrician and get tested. Self-treatment of dysbacteriosis is ineffective.

Clear slime

Please note that we are talking about cases where the smell of the discharge has not changed. Over time, the mother may notice that transparent watery discharge has appeared in the crumbs' feces. This suggests that the load on the intestines of the child has increased significantly. In addition, this means that other nutrients began to come with mother's milk.

Often a similar phenomenon is observed if the child was transferred to complementary foods. It is necessary to improve the quality of breast milk or reduce the amount of complementary foods. In this case, the child's condition gradually normalizes.

Sometimes pediatricians are faced with complaints from parents that the latter constantly observe mucus in the feces of the baby. Why is this happening? If this is combined with diarrhea, then most likely there is a violation of the intestinal microflora. It can be caused by eating disorders or allergies. Despite the unpleasantness of such a phenomenon, it is important and even necessary for the body to learn to cope with incoming substances. Clear mucus in the feces is also observed during teething and with a runny nose. Often it is accompanied by flatulence and constipation.

Impurity of white slime

To understand what mucus in the feces of a baby means, a pediatrician should. But parents also need to have basic knowledge in order to draw the doctor's attention to changes in time. White lumps in stool are a warning sign. It should be especially alert if there are impurities of blood and fat. The reason is the inflammatory process and other intestinal diseases. As a result, we have colic, constipation and diarrhea. But the final diagnosis cannot be made without clinical studies. Therefore, it is important to collect material for analysis as soon as possible and consult a doctor so that he makes his conclusion.

Pink slime impurities

Since pregnancy, every young mother is very afraid of spotting. Therefore, noticing any shades of pink in the baby's stool, she panics. Indeed, there are enough reasons to worry. Usually, the presence of blood in the stool will turn the mucus pink or red. Let's make a reservation right away: if in the diaper you find one or two threads of mucus with a bloody tint, and the rest of the mass is of the usual color, this is a variant of the norm.

Accompanying signs of pathology are: loose stools, vomiting, sharp pains in the baby. may indicate ulceration of the gastrointestinal mucosa or intestinal volvulus. Ignoring the symptoms in this case will not work, because pathologies cause severe pain. Even the most inexperienced parents will not be able to write them off for colic.

Yellow stool with mucus

It would seem that this is exactly the color that best reflects the good work of the intestines of the crumbs. It turns out that this is not entirely true. A poisonous yellow color with a liquid consistency indicates an infection has entered the body. At the same time, yellow mucous discharge eloquently indicates a viral lesion. This condition requires immediate medical treatment.

Usually there are enough symptoms in addition to feces: intense thirst, the skin becomes very dry, the heartbeat is intense, severe colic is observed. When the temperature rises, the child becomes lethargic.

Diagnostics

It will be very important for the doctor to collect as much information as possible about what mother and child have been eating in recent days. Therefore, try to remember everything, down to the smallest detail. But to determine the real reason for what is happening, you need to pass the feces. Based on the symptoms, the doctor will write out a referral for tests: for allergens, worm eggs, carbohydrates or dysbacteriosis.

To do this, you will need to collect fresh feces and deliver it to the laboratory. Stock up on a special container. It is best to leave the baby without a diaper, put a diaper on instead. After a bowel movement, use a spatula to collect the feces in the place where there is less mucus. If the material is collected in the evening, then remove the container until morning in the refrigerator.

Treatment

Mucus in the stool in infants does not in itself require therapy. This is just a symptom that indicates a particular pathology. After deciphering the tests, the doctor prescribes treatment. Be sure to follow a strict diet for a nursing mother. Often, dietary adjustments are the solution to the problem. But in case of serious pathologies, medical treatment, and sometimes surgical intervention, may be required. Do not delay in contacting a doctor. Timely therapy can greatly alleviate the course of the disease and speed up recovery. After the end of treatment, it is necessary to follow the diet for some time so that the digestive system has time to recover.