Are you wondering the reasons for baby poop like curdled milk? Give us the opportunity to enlighten you about this by way of this article!
Baby’s Poop
A wide range is ‘normal’ or healthy when we discuss the color, consistency, smell, and frequency of a baby’s bowel movement. This is because of a rapidly developing digestive system and sensitivity to any dietary changes.
The baby’s first poop, called meconium, has a dark greenish-black color and thick sticky consistency like tar. These initial bowel movements are meant to flush out the mucus and amniotic fluid that the baby swallowed within the womb, along with intestinal epithelial cells, bile, and lanugo; colostrum, the initial breast milk, acts as a laxative facilitating this.
With reasonable variations, a breastfed infant’s stool will change from meconium to greenish-yellow, and later mustard yellow-colored loose or soft stool, with a possible ‘seedy’ consistency. As the child transitions to baby formula and then solid foods, the frequency of bowel movements decreases, and the stool is firmer with a more pungent odor and a yellow-brownish color.
Baby poop Like Curdled Milk Reasons
1. Undigested Milk Fat
Breast milk has a very high-fat content. If the baby’s stomach does not fully process it, it can give poop a curdled appearance. While the baby formula has comparatively less fat content, it can also produce a similar appearance if poorly digested.
2. Excess Protein in Breast Milk
This can get curdled and also be seen as white chunks like cottage cheese in the baby’s stool.
3. Poor Digestion
As you supplement the infant’s diet with solid food, foods that the baby does not properly chew and thereby fully digest can show up curdled in the diaper, especially light-colored foods.
4. Infections
Illness, viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections can affect the color and consistency of baby poop. This is accompanied by other tell-tale signs like fever, irritability, cough, or runny nose.
Should You Be Concerned?
Curdled poop by itself isn’t a cause for concern. It is a response to the diet and reflects the growing baby’s ever-evolving digestive capacity. However, consult a doctor if accompanying symptoms of illness/infection, allergic reaction, or food intolerance occur. Looking in the diaper can provide vital clues to the overall health of the baby; seek timely medical attention if you notice the following:
1. Red Poop
Streaks of red in the stool indicate blood. It may be from a rectal bleed, hemorrhoids, anal fissure, or even from a milk protein allergy. Consult your doctor immediately to discuss the condition and remedies.
2. Black Poop
After the meconium stage in the newborn, black poop or the Malena is usually caused by bleeding higher up in the gastrointestinal tract. The doctor might provide medications and/or other remedies to alleviate the condition.
3. White/Grey Poop
Unlike the curdled milk appearance discussed above, if the baby is passing fully white, pale, or chalky stool, it is an alarming sign that results from a malfunctioning gallbladder or liver.
4. Loose Poop
While baby poop tends to be softer, extremely loose stools/ frequent diarrhea puts the child at risk of dehydration. As a result, you must remedy the loose poop as soon as possible before it gets severe.
5. Dry Poop
Infrequent, hard/dry pellet-like poop that the baby strains to pass can signify true constipation or insufficient fluid intake.
6. Frothy Poop
Green frothy poop or notable mucus content is a common indicator of infection.
Weird Looking Poop
You must report the following to the pediatrician:
- Weird-looking poop accompanied by a marked change in baby’s demeanor (lethargic/easily irritable) or
- other signs of gastrointestinal disturbance like bloating, loss of appetite, gassiness, vomiting, sudden weight loss, or if the baby isn’t gaining weight.
Inspecting every bowel movement and dirty diaper is a daunting but necessary step in ensuring the overall health and wellbeing of the baby.
