A minor amount of mucus in a baby's poop is likely no cause for business if in that location are no other symptoms. However, large quantities of mucus, fungus that appears in several stools in a row, or accompanying signs of diarrhea could each point to an allergy, a gastrointestinal infection, or another problem.

The intestines naturally secrete mucus that helps coat the intestinal tract, digest food, and pass stool. Sometimes, some of this mucus ends upwardly in poop. A small amount of mucus in i or two diapers, especially if there are no other symptoms, is normally not a sign of affliction.

Sometimes, mucus appears in large quantities or it recurs for several days. In this example, there is more likely to be an underlying issue. Here, we take a look at some of these causes and explain when to contact a doc.

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If a babe is having more frequent bowel movements than usual, it may be a sign of diarrhea.

In a baby with diarrhea, the runny, loose stools may incorporate mucus. However, in babies that breastfeed, it is common for the poop to be loose and somewhat runny, so it tin be difficult to tell the difference between regular stool and diarrhea.

Some signs of diarrhea include:

  • more frequent bowel movements than usual
  • signs of pain or distress, such as crying, tensing the body, or making unusual movements
  • a decrease in urination that may signal dehydration

Infections caused by bacteria or a virus, dietary changes, and numerous other bug can cause diarrhea.

Diarrhea oftentimes goes abroad on its ain. Ensure that the babe drinks plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Caregivers of babies who only breastfeed should make certain that at that place are frequent feedings.

In infants under 3 months of age, prolonged or severe diarrhea tin can quickly cause aridity. Severe diarrhea can even exist fatal.

Call a doctor if a babe shows signs of dehydration, if diarrhea lasts more than 1–2 days, or if diarrhea is very astringent.

Learn more about diarrhea and its causes hither.

Allergies and food sensitivities tin cause diarrhea or lead to mucus in a babe'due south poop, though this is uncommon. In babies that breastfeed, a sudden change in the mother'south diet may be the cause. Sensitivities to iron, soy, or other formula ingredients may also play a office.

In older babies who eat solids, certain foods can cause diarrhea. This could exist an early on warning sign of a food sensitivity, though information technology is mutual for poop to change in color or consistency equally new foods are introduced.

Sometimes, a sudden change in a baby's diet — such every bit a switch to a new formula — tin crusade diarrhea for a few days. Talk to a pediatrician most how to manage these dietary changes to minimize the adventure of diarrhea and stomach pain.

Learn more than almost allergies in babies here.

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If a baby's poop is dark-green and frothy, it may be due to short periods of breastfeeding.

Changes in the way that a infant breastfeeds can affect the texture of their poop. For example, some babies who feed for short periods earlier switching breasts have frothy green stool.

If a baby breastfeeds, their stool may seem to incorporate mucus. This can happen when the baby gets more foremilk than hindmilk. Foremilk is the milk bachelor at the beginning of a feed, and it can be thinner and sweeter, while hindmilk is bachelor at the end.

Feeding on each breast for longer periods may help.

Learn more near breastfeeding hither.

A infant may have claret and mucus in their stool. If the stool is very difficult, this could mean that the baby is constipated. The blood and mucus could come from tiny tears in the baby'south anus. Ensuring that the infant consumes enough of fluids may assist.

Call a physician if there is:

  • all-encompassing bleeding — more than than but a few streaks in the stool
  • haemorrhage that appears in several bowel movements
  • bleeding that disappears and comes back a few days later
  • diarrhea with claret (with or without mucus)

If a infant poops only blood and fungus or has lots of claret in their poop and is fussy, get to the emergency room.

Learn about home remedies for babies with constipation hither.

Rarely, mucus in a baby'south stool can signal a serious trouble.

If the stool looks very fatty and is unusually big or foul-smelling, the issue could exist steatorrhea. Steatorrhea means that at that place is too much fatty in the stool.

Numerous conditions can cause steatorrhea. They include:

  • Liver health issues: A baby with liver wellness problems may have xanthous skin and eyes and dark or infrequent urination. In rare cases, the babe's stool may also turn stake or white.
  • Pancreas wellness problems: When the pancreas does not piece of work correctly, the body cannot properly absorb or digest fat. The babe's stool may as well exist stake or white.
  • Malabsorption diseases: Some diseases brand information technology difficult for the body to digest fat. In babies who have begun eating solids, celiac illness or cystic fibrosis, for example, may exist a cistron.

Learn more about steatorrhea here.

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A caregiver should consider medical advice if the baby has any other symptoms, such every bit a fever.

If in that location is only a piffling fungus in the babe'south poop, information technology is unremarkably safe to wait and see if it goes away.

However, call a doctor if the baby:

  • has a lot of mucus in their stool
  • has other symptoms, such as diarrhea, a fever, or hurting
  • was born prematurely or is under 3 months old
  • has a weak immune system because of a illness or medication

Anyone who is unsure whether there is a serious problem should err on the side of circumspection and call a pediatrician.

Get to the emergency room if the baby:

  • has big quantities of blood in their stool
  • has white stool and seems ill
  • shows signs of dehydration, such every bit chapped lips, sunken eyes, or infrequent urination
  • stops eating or feeding

A infant may have other types of stool, such as:

  • Meconium: This is blackness or dark, sticky stool that babies pass presently after birth. Talk to a doctor if it occurs for more than three days.
  • Good for you poop: In infants, this is commonly soft and may be slightly runny. Babies that breastfeed typically pass yellowish, seedy poop. Healthy poop can also be brownish-green or thick and tan.
  • Brightly colored stool: When a baby begins eating solids, sure foods can change the color of stool. Carrots may plough it blood-red or orange, for instance, while spinach may turn it green.
  • Constipated poop: This may be dark chocolate-brown, lumpy, and hard.
  • Black stool: This tin can signal bleeding in a baby's upper digestive organisation. Call a doctor.

Nigh changes in a baby's poop are temporary, and a minor amount of fungus in stool is normally no cause for concern.

A pediatrician, however, can offer reassurance and aid monitor the babe'due south symptoms. Whatever caregiver who is unsure whether changes in stool indicate a problem should contact a healthcare provider for guidance.