How Does Mixed Feeding Affect The Baby’s Stool?

You are going to observe a change in the baby’s feces with the changes you make in his diet. This change usually occurs when you add other foods to a breastfed baby’s diet. Babies usually pass a yellower and softer stool after consuming breast milk. It changes when the baby starts consuming grains, eggs, vegetables, meats, and baby formula.

There should not be any change in the baby’s stool frequency if the baby is consuming the same diet. Parents should contact the doctor if the baby starts passing loose and discolored stool. Mixed feeding affects stool. Continue reading to learn when it is normal and when you should contact a doctor.

What Are Different Types Of Stools Babies Pass?

As mentioned earlier, the stool color and consistency changes with the change in the baby’s diet. You may see the following changes in the child’s stool patterns when the child is on a mixed feeding diet.

Foamy stool

When you feed starchy or food high in carbohydrate to the baby, it causes an increase in the intestinal cavity. Such changes also increase fermentation! The baby starts passing a watery dark brown stool with foam in it.  

Bright stool

This type of stool occurs when the baby’s diet contains an excess amount of fat. Such a meal can cause excess production of fatty acids in the intestinal cavity to promote peristalsis of the intestines. Consequently, the baby starts passing yellowish stool in large quantity. It looks loose and shiny.   

Unpleasant stinky stool

If the baby’s complementary foods are high in proteins, this diet will neutralize gastric acid in the stomach. Consequently, gastric liquid’s acidity reduces and the baby’s body finds it tough to digest proteins completely. The child’s body does not absorb food proteins completely and pass them out. Therefore, the child passes stinky and unpleasant stool.  

Green stool

Sometimes the babies pass green stool in a low volume without any mucus in it. This can be a sign of diarrhea or hunger. Some babies also pass green stool because of consuming the baby formula. Brands provide iron-rich baby formula, which turns stool green. The undigested iron comes in contact with air and turns green. As a result, the baby passes the green stool.

Egg-drop soup like stool

The baby can pass egg-drop soup like stool if he is suffering from viral enteritis. This type of health issues can occur due to consuming poor-quality formula milk or complimentary meals. Therefore, parents should only choose top-quality products for the child’s diet.

Tofu-like stool

It is also common when the child is suffering from enteritis. It occurs mainly when the health issue is caused by mold. Acute enteritis and food poisoning can cause loose motions. Parents should take the child to a pediatric doctor for a quick checkup in such a situation.

Grey-white stool

Babies discharge grey-white stool when suffering from biliary obstructions. This health issue can occur due to many reasons. Excess consumption of baby formula with a very low amount of sugar can cause this problem. Calcium and magnesium present in the food can produce fatty soap-like stool. This type of stool has a sour smell and it can also turn off-white if the treatment is not provided in time.

Tar-like stool

If there is bleeding in the small intestine, red blood cells will break and combine with sulfide. This combination produces ferrous sulfide which turns stool black. The intestinal mucosa starts releasing more mucus that turns stool’s color much darker. Consequently, the baby starts discharging tar-like stool. It is a sign of gastric and duodenal ulcers and requires immediate medical attention.

Bright red stool

Bright red stool indicates bleeding. Intestinal blood does not mix with the stool and it eventually turns stool bright red. It is a sign of anal diseases, such as anal fissures, hemorrhoids, rectal tumors, and intestinal polyps.

Dark-red stool

The baby will discharge dark-red stool when experiencing intussusceptions. It is a condition in which intestinal blockage occurs.

Mucopurulent bloody stool

Bacillary dysentery is considered a severe form of shigellosis and babies often pass Mucopurulent bloody stool when suffering from this health issue.

Mixed feeding can be dangerous for the child. Parents need to observe the child’s stool patterns to ensure the new diet change is not causing severe harm to the child’s health.

What Is the Normal Stool Color When the Child Is on A Mixed Feeding Diet?

Babies discharge brown or pale yellow colored stool when mixed-fed regularly. It will have a thinner texture and it might sometimes look like brown clay paste. The baby discharges golden color stool when on a breastfeeding diet.

Parents can prevent gestational health issues in babies by following the right mixed-feeding method. Breastfeed first and then feed the baby formula. Feed formula milk only if breast milk is not enough to soothe the child’s hunger.

You have to strictly follow the instructions shared by the manufacturer. Maintain milk consistency similar to breast milk and make sure it is not too hot while feeding the child. Do not check the milk consistency frequently because it can also affect the child’s health. The baby will digest his complimentary meals well when you provide the same type of meal every day.

How Many Times A Mixed-fed Child Defecate?

A baby on a mixed feeding diet will defecate one or two times a day. Some babies may also have 2-3 bowel movements a day. It is normal if there are no signs of anorexia or bloating. Babies start following a regular defecation pattern as they grow older.

It is common to have 1-2 bowel movements in a day. If the defecation frequency suddenly increases, it can be due to a health issue. Parents should seek the necessary medical aid in such situations.

What Should You Do If the Bowel Movement Frequency Suddenly Increases?

The number of baby’s bowel movements can suddenly increase due to indigestion. It indicates the congenital weakness of the stomach and the spleen. You should take the child to the doctor to diagnose the health issue. The doctor will provide medications to regulate the spleen.

Proper treatment will improve the performance of the child’s digestive system. Parents should also consult things related to the child’s new diet. Some food products might have upset the child’s stomach. Consequently, he is experiencing more bowel movements than before.

Continue the medical treatment and combine it with a gentle massage. Begin massaging from the navel and move your hand gently in a clockwise spiral. It is quite helpful to promote gastrointestinal peristalsis and improve digestion.

You can also try a warm compress to comfort the child. Choose a top-quality baby formula brand and do not change it. Feed the same type of food to ensure your baby can process it conveniently.  

What Are the Effects Of Mixed Feeding on the Child?

People have mixed-fed babies since ancient time. Cow’s milk, goat milk, and other types of milk have been used to feed the child. Modern parents have more nutritious alternatives for mixed feeding.

Brands use different types of milk to produce the baby formula. You can get it in both liquid and powdered forms. This diet change will have some effects on your child’s health. Those effects are as follows:

Feeding intervals get longer

The baby might take long intervals between feeding when you begin mixed feeding. His body takes time to digest the new kind of milk. He feels full much longer and therefore he does not demand food for 4-5 hours.

It is a normal change to experience when you start feeding baby formula along with breast milk. The baby will soon adapt to new food and then process it faster.

Stool color and consistency changes

Breastfeeding babies discharge golden or yellowish stool if they are fit and not on medication. Stool color and consistency changes with the change in your baby’s diet. The baby starts discharging harder feces as he consumes formula milk.

Stool color changes to brown from yellow due to the increased intake of baby formula. His diapers will get stinky and filled with stool due to the new diet. It is a normal change and all parents experience it when they feed formula milk to the child.

The baby might not have a bowel movement for one or more days

It is another concerning effect of mixed feeding. The baby might not discharge stool for one or more days. The increased intake of protein is responsible for such an issue. Proteins slow down the digestion speed. Suppose you spot blood spots in the baby’s feces, you should take him to the doctor. You may need to change the formula milk because your baby can’t digest it.

Conclusion

Mixed Feeding sounds easy, but it is no fun for the child. Mixed feeding affects stool and your baby’s health. Breastfeed the child as long as possible to prevent health issues. He will consume complimentary meals and formula milk. You have to keep the external food quantity low to keep the child healthy. You should try subtle diet changes to keep the child fit and improve his diet.

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