Causes of mucus in the stool of an infant. Causes of mucus in feces in infants and methods of treatment

Developing in the mother's womb, the fetus is nourished by the bloodstream, and its digestive system is in a sterile condition. Birth gives impetus to the formation of all the baby’s systems to adulthood. New nutrition in the form of breast milk also rearranges the functioning of the infant’s gastrointestinal tract. During the transition period, the stomach and intestines are filled with beneficial microflora. A baby's stool reflects these changes, and pediatricians consider the presence of mucus to be a normal physiological process.

However, not all mucus that appears in is a safe phenomenon. It is important and useful for parents to know when a strange impurity in stool requires close attention. Baby feces are the body’s litmus test, signaling proper operation Gastrointestinal tract or malfunctions in its functioning.

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

May 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 if the following manifestations occur:

1. Mucus in the stool of infants with blood admixtures. Appears in the background high temperature, dehydration and general malaise. An intestinal infection is suspected and the child must be hospitalized.
2. A green tint of mucus that persists for a long time indicates an inflammatory process in the baby’s intestines or malnutrition of the child. If green mucus in the baby's stool is accompanied by an allergic reaction, the child loses weight, suffers from colic, and looks lethargic, he should be shown to a doctor.
3. White mucus due to lack of weight and height is associated with enzymatic deficiency. Consultation with a pediatrician and gastroenterologist is required.
4. Foam with mucus in the baby's stool appears with lactase deficiency. The disease can be hereditary, when the child’s body does not absorb milk sugar, and dysbacteriosis may develop against the background of the disease. To clarify the diagnosis, a stool test for carbohydrate content is prescribed.

What causes mucus to appear?

What are the reasons for the formation of mucus in the stool of a baby, what is their danger, and what can cause them? 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:

• dysbiosis disease;
• intestinal invaginitis;
• poor nutrition;
• lactase deficiency;
• allergy;
• taking medications.

Causes and their clinical characteristics

Let's give detailed description identified causes to make it easier for parents to recognize the disease. 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 cannot cope with drastic 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 a baby's stool mixes with blood, and a day later 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 abdominal pain and vomits. The child needs urgent hospitalization and emergency treatment.
3. Power errors. Failure to comply with the diet and balance of nutrition has a bad effect on the baby’s digestion. The amount of mucous secretions increases if the baby does not receive enough fluid, complementary foods are not introduced in a timely manner, and there are long breaks between feedings. Monitoring the baby’s nutrition is the mother’s responsibility.
4. Lactase deficiency. White color of discharge - sure sign deficiency of a special enzyme that helps the baby’s body absorb mother’s milk. The intestines react to the lack of enzyme with 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 large quantities in the stool. Particular attention is paid to the baby’s reaction when introducing complementary foods. New foods may affect changes in stool.
6. Medicines. Taking certain medications by mom or baby can cause mucus in the. There is no danger in this condition, but the mother should monitor the baby and stop taking medications that provoke an annoying reaction.

What treatment is used?

Suspicious color and volume of mucus in a baby's stool is a serious reason to seek medical help. The doctor will conduct the necessary tests and make a diagnosis. Treatment is to eliminate the original source of mucus formation. Thus, for dysbiosis, complex therapy is carried out, which includes drugs that suppress the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms and stimulate the formation of beneficial microflora.

Intestinal intussusception is treated surgically by administering a barium enema to the child. Entering the intestines, barium straightens it, eliminating partial obstruction. If the cause of mucus is lactase deficiency, dairy products are excluded from the baby’s diet. Children on breastfeeding you should take a special enzyme preparation. To eliminate mucus that appears as a result of an allergic reaction in the baby’s body, the doctor identifies the culprit of the allergy and stops its effect.

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

Having noticed mucus in your baby’s stool, visually determine its color and volume, remember that a small amount of it is considered normal for infant. The task of parents is to properly regulate the diet, follow the feeding schedule, and introduce complementary foods with caution. If the cause is more serious than poor nutrition, it is better to show the baby to a pediatrician.

The digestion process is one of the important factors that tells about the health of a newborn. That’s why mothers look at the baby’s diaper so closely every time, assessing the nature of the bowel movements. And, if suddenly deviations from the usual stool are noticed, mothers begin to worry. Today we will look at how dangerous the condition is when mucus appears in the stool of a baby. Is this due to physiological changes or is there some pathology present? Let's find out.

Stool Test Standard

The concept of normal stool during infancy is ambiguous. Depending on the type of feeding and the age of the baby, it may vary. For example, the very first stool, called meconium, is black, has a tar-like consistency and is odorless. The next batch of poop will lighten, gradually turning from gray-green to yellow-straw color.

Eventually, in a breastfed baby's first six months of life, the feces become mushy (or like thick sour cream), yellow in color, and have a sour smell. Not a large number of mucus in the feces of a newborn is also considered normal.

A baby who is breastfed can have any color and consistency of stool.

In fact, you need to focus not on the amount of mucus, but on the baby’s well-being. But where does it come from and what is its purpose?

Stool with mucus in a baby

Our gastrointestinal tract lined throughout with a mucous membrane involved in the processes of absorption of various substances and their digestion. Since the mucous membrane is quite vulnerable and sensitive, it has special mucosal cells that have a protective function. If necessary, they secrete mucus, which additionally envelops the mucous membrane, thereby protecting it from the harmful effects of acids, alkalis, and mechanical injuries when digesting coarse food particles.

It turns out that mucus is always present in a baby’s stool, but in small quantities it is not visible to the naked eye. During the transition period, when the digestive tract is just populated by microflora after birth, a temporary increase in mucus content is acceptable.

Its active release begins in the event of an inflammatory process, as well as during chemical or mechanical irritation. The pattern is as follows: the more mucous the baby’s stool, the greater the likelihood that an inflammatory process is occurring in the body. It is usually not the only symptom of indigestion. If there is a lot of mucus in the baby's stool, a visit to the doctor is required.

“Eaten” snot comes out through another place in the form of mucus

Why does she appear

How can one understand why a baby is pooping with mucus? Is it worth adjusting the diet, calling an ambulance, or not paying attention to the symptom at all? Your pediatrician will help you understand these issues. In the meantime, while you are waiting for his arrival, let's remind ourselves of the main factors in the appearance of mucus and rough plan actions.

Pathologies requiring urgent treatment

• Acute intestinal infections. We are talking about rotavirus infection, dysentery, salmonellosis, and amoebiasis. Such diseases are difficult to confuse with anything else. A sharp increase in temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea with mucus in an infant leads to rapid dehydration. The child becomes lethargic, refuses to eat and needs urgent care medical care. If such symptoms are present, children in the first year of life must be hospitalized, since the condition of diarrhea is characterized as extremely severe and poses a threat to life due to dehydration.
• Intestinal obstruction. Another situation in which delay is life-threatening. There are several options for the development of the disease, but the symptoms are similar: frequent vomiting, cramping abdominal pain, stool is either absent or is delayed. Mucus with blood is found in the baby's stool. In this case, an urgent consultation with a surgeon and, quite possibly, surgical intervention are necessary.
• Celiac disease. The disease is detected when an infant is transferred to complementary foods. The essence of the disease is that the body cannot digest food containing gluten because the enzyme necessary for this is absent or deficient. If, after a series of tests, the diagnosis is confirmed, gluten-containing products are excluded from the diet: wheat, semolina, barley, bakery and pasta and so on.

Intussusception is a condition in which one part of the intestine invades another, resulting in intestinal obstruction. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable

When else to see a doctor

• Dysbacteriosis. Today, there is debate about whether the concept of “dysbacteriosis” has a right to exist. Nevertheless, some imbalance between pathogenic and beneficial microflora is possible. When pathogenic strains grow, mucus is observed in the infant's stool, remains of undigested food, for example, lumps of curdled milk, and mild diarrhea. Doctors also have different approaches to treatment. Some prescribe bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which promote the rapid colonization of the intestines with beneficial flora, while others adhere to a policy of non-intervention, they say, the body is able to cope with this problem itself.
• Runny nose with ARVI. It happens that the mucus in the baby’s nose is swallowed and, passing through the gastrointestinal tract, ends up in the feces. Children of the first year of life are not able to blow their nose on their own, so the baby has two options: either he chokes on the snot, or swallows it. Signs of severe nasal congestion: the baby is capricious, wheezing due to mucus in the nasopharynx, snot periodically drips onto the upper lip. Older children breathe open mouth. Solution: it is necessary to regularly rinse the nose with saline and treat a runny nose with additional remedies prescribed by a doctor according to age.
• Lactase deficiency. When a baby poops mucus, the pediatrician will advise checking the baby for lactose intolerance. It happens that a baby’s body produces little of the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for breaking down the milk carbohydrate lactose. Symptoms of the disease: loose stools with mucus, undigested lumps of curdled milk in the stool, frequent intestinal colic. If the form of the disease is transient, then the symptoms are temporary. In other cases, it is necessary to consult a gastroenterologist. A mother whose baby is breastfed is recommended to follow a dairy-free diet. If the baby eats formula, then preference is given to low-lactose or lactose-free formulas.
• Unbalanced maternal nutrition. Uncontrolled eating of gas-forming foods and foods rich in carbohydrates irritates the intestinal walls. The result is mucous stool and colic. Another problem is related to the feeding schedule. Feeding a child for hours at a time awakens greed in the baby, and large portions of what is eaten contribute to the fermentation processes in the intestines.
• Complementary foods are introduced too early or incorrectly. The optimal time for introducing the first complementary foods is 6 months. You need to start it with either cereals or fermented milk products, but not with fruit purees or freshly squeezed juices. When introducing a product, the mother closely monitors the baby’s reaction: is there any redness on the cheeks, indicating an allergic reaction. You also need to monitor your stool: if mucus appears, the consistency and color change sharply; this means that you need to wait a while with this product.
• Wrong mixture chosen. Artificial mixtures are a separate issue. Its selection is quite individual, and sometimes you need to try more than one to find the right one. And during the selection process, the baby may experience digestive problems and skin allergic manifestations.
• Drug reactions. Before taking any medicine as prescribed by your doctor, you should first read the instructions. Mucous stools are possible if there were side effects from the gastrointestinal tract.
• Atopic dermatitis. Digestive problems affect the condition of the skin. And, if the doctor diagnoses “atopic dermatitis,” it is quite possible that the child’s stool contains mucous components.

For many young parents, the appearance of mucus in a baby’s stool becomes a reason to go to the hospital and get tested. Changes in stool that occur between the ages of 0 and 6-8 months are certainly important and require close attention, but in some cases, parents' concerns are completely unfounded.

It is important to understand that in the first half of the year, the baby’s intestines continue to develop, and its mucous membranes are populated by beneficial and conditionally pathogenic bacteria that make up the intestinal microflora.

It is for this reason that the chair infants unstable, often changes its consistency and color. If the stool contains mucus, do not panic ahead of time. Information savvy will help parents stay calm, so it is necessary to know the causes and symptoms of this phenomenon.

Mucus in the feces of infants is not a pathological sign, so its appearance must be assessed in conjunction with other symptoms. If the child is active, has an excellent appetite, sleep corresponds to age standards, nothing threatens the baby’s health.

Mucus is present in certain quantities in the intestines of all children, including newborns. It performs a protective function, preventing aggressive influence acids and alkaline elements entering the child’s body. Normally, mucus should be mixed with fecal matter before bowel movement. This means that externally, even insignificant amount mucous contents.

Mucous stool in a newborn

After the baby is born, bowel movement occurs Bladder and intestines. In the first 1-3 days, the baby's feces are a viscous and sticky mass of dark green color with a brownish tint.

This stool is called meconium. It consists of epithelial cells, mucus, amniotic fluid, surrounding the baby throughout all 9 months of intrauterine life, bile and hair.

The amount of mucus in meconium is about 70-80% of the total mass of feces. This counts normal indicator. Already at 3-4 years of age, the transition period will pass, and the baby’s stool will become thicker (the consistency of it resembles a yellow or yellowish-brown pulp).

How to determine the presence of mucus?

To understand whether children's stool contains mucus or not, as well as to determine its quantity, it is necessary to take a stool test, which is called a coprogram. Using a coprogram, you can detect not only mucus, but also fatty acids, soaps, starch, muscle fibers, leukocytes, etc. Based on the results obtained, one can judge the presence pathological process, as well as its stages.

mucus of different colors: pink, transparent, white, yellow, green

Not only the amount of mucus, but also its color is important for diagnosing the disease.

• Transparent slime. It is a sign of catarrhal phenomena (inflammatory processes on the mucous membranes, for example, sore throat, otitis media, etc.).
• Green or yellow mucus. This color means the growth of bacterial (pathogenic) flora, the addition of infection and the development of a purulent focus.
• White slime. May be a sign of vaginitis in girls.
• Pink slime. Usually appears with hemorrhoids in the inflammation stage and anal fissures, as well as various injuries to the anus.
• Mucus streaked with blood. A dangerous phenomenon indicating internal bleeding, ruptures or the formation of ulcers on the intestinal mucosa. In severe cases, it can be a symptom of malignant diseases of the anus and intestines.

Why mucus appears in stool: reasons

Dysbacteriosis

Dysbacteriosis is not considered a disease in most countries. This is a condition in which the balance of beneficial and pathogenic flora is disturbed.

There can be many reasons for dysbacteriosis: from gross violations of personal hygiene to taking potent medications (antibiotics).

Mucus due to dysbacteriosis appears only in mild forms of pathology. In more serious cases, the stool will contain particles of curdled milk and even blood.

In addition to mucus, dysbiosis is characterized by the following symptoms:

• bloating and abdominal pain;
• constipation;
• loose stools;
• frequent regurgitation.

To treat dysbiosis, prebiotics and probiotics are used, as well as drugs to improve intestinal health and restore normal microflora.

Taking medications

In some infants, the use of medications (called "defoamers") may cause a small amount of mucus to appear in the stool.

Most often, such a reaction is given by "Bobotik", "Espumizan", dill water ("Bebikalm") and other drugs used to treat and prevent intestinal colic in children in the first months of life.

In this case, there is no need to worry when mucus is detected - there is little of it and it will completely disappear after you stop taking the medication. If this does not happen, and the baby’s stool still remains mucous, you should consult a doctor.

Runny nose

Small children do not know how to blow their nose, so the mucus that forms in the nasal cavity flows in small quantities into the oropharynx, from where digestive tract enters the stomach and ultimately enters the intestines.

It is important that the mucus is transparent, since the signs of a cold, combined with yellow or green mucus, are a sign of deep bacterial infections accompanied by the formation of pus.

A little about the introduction of complementary foods

The stomach of an infant who is accustomed to mother's milk or formula may not immediately accept new foods. This is especially true for vegetable and fruit purees. Zucchini, pumpkin, cauliflower, prunes - these products can cause dyspeptic disorders and mild indigestion.

In this case, there is a change in the stool not only in the presence of mucus, but also in color (stool can become lighter or darker, depending on the type of complementary foods), as well as consistency.

Most babies who try zucchini for the first time experience loose, foamy stools mixed with a small amount of mucus. This is normal - after the body gets used to the new type of food, there will be no mucus in the stool.

Allergy

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis (itching, peeling, crusting on the skin, weeping spots) appear in infants in response to contact with allergens.

Anything can cause an allergy: cosmetical tools, composition of the absorbent layer of the diaper, foods consumed by the mother (if the baby is breastfed).

Atopic phenomena can also affect the mucous membranes that line the surface of the intestine. In response to an irritating factor, the intestines secrete increased amount mucus that ends up in the stool.

Important! In infants older than 5-6 months, an allergic reaction occurs mainly to food. If, after introducing a new product into the diet, the baby’s cheeks and eyes turn red, and a red rash appears on the body, you should stop introducing complementary foods and show the child to an allergist.

What to do if you have intestinal obstruction in a baby

An extremely dangerous pathology in which part of the colon is compressed by another part of the intestine, resulting in partial intestinal obstruction.

Food that cannot leave the intestines naturally stagnates and rotting processes begin. If the child is not provided with medical care in a timely manner, sepsis and intestinal rupture may rapidly develop.

At the first signs of intestinal obstruction, it is necessary to call an emergency team or ambulance. Pathology can be determined by the following signs:

• abdominal pain during feeding or immediately after it;
• vomiting;
• diarrhea mixed with blood and mucus.

A day after the bowel bends, the stool ceases to resemble feces (since food does not enter the intestines). The baby's stool looks like lumps of thick mucus containing blood clots. This is a critical condition! Help for the child should be provided within 15-60 minutes. Otherwise, the likelihood of death will be too high.

Feces for intestinal infections

Intestinal infections of bacterial or viral origin (salmonellosis, dysentery, etc.) are characterized by inflammatory processes on the intestinal mucous membranes, so the appearance of mucus in the stool is one of the signs of this group of diseases.

Sometimes mucus may be present in the form of dense lumps - this condition may indicate the development of dehydration in the baby.

Acute dehydration can lead to the death of an infant, so emergency help should be provided immediately (in an infectious diseases hospital).

Dr. Komarovsky answers questions regarding intestinal infections and explains why they are difficult to avoid.

Lactase deficiency in a child

A condition characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme (lactase) that digests milk sugar (lactose). With this pathology, the child suffers from abdominal pain, accumulation of gases and other dyspeptic symptoms. The baby's stool becomes liquid and contains particles of undigested milk and small lumps of mucus.

If lactase deficiency is suspected, the child's stool is tested for carbohydrates. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the mother's diet will need to be adjusted if she is breastfeeding.

Celiac disease

Another name for the pathology is gluten deficiency. It occurs as a result of damage to the intestinal villi (small intestine) by foods containing gluten. Such products include all types of cereals (rye, oats, wheat, etc.).

With this disease, the child's stool usually has a normal consistency, but the amount of mucus exceeds acceptable indicators 2-2.5 times. It has no color and looks like chicken protein.

When should you see a doctor?

It is necessary to show the child to a pediatrician if the appearance of mucus is accompanied by other symptoms of various diseases, including:

• foul-smelling diarrhea;
• darkening of urine;
• rare urination;
• profuse and frequent regurgitation;
• smell from the mouth;
• heat;
• weight loss;
• loss of appetite;
• sunken fontanel;
• wrinkled and sagging skin.

If one or more of these symptoms are detected, the baby should be shown to a doctor and undergo necessary examination to identify possible problems with health.

When is emergency help required?

Call " Ambulance» should be taken at the first suspicion of intestinal obstruction, as well as signs of intestinal infections. If a child suddenly has a fever, vomits, has frequent and foamy stools or watery stools mixed with mucus, an examination by an infectious disease specialist is required.

Treatment

The mucus in the stool itself does not require treatment, since it is just a symptom indicating serious problems in the body or improper organization of nutrition and care for the baby.

To prescribe the necessary therapy, the baby should be examined, and based on the results obtained, a conclusion about the diagnosis and associated complications should be made.

Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe the following treatment for the baby.

• Runny nose.

To eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane, the child may be prescribed vasoconstrictor drops (for example, Nazivin). In addition, rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solutions or ready-made pharmaceutical drugs(“Aqualor”, “Aquamaris”). If a runny nose appears as a result of a viral disease, treatment with antiviral drugs (Viferon) is necessary.

• Lactase deficiency.

If the baby is lactose intolerant, medications containing lactase (“Lactase Baby”) are prescribed. Dairy and dairy products are excluded from the mother's diet. dairy products.

If the baby is on artificial feeding, the pediatrician will recommend a lactose-free milk formula, adapted to the characteristics and needs of a particular child.

• Intestinal infections.

All children under one year old with any intestinal infections are recommended to be hospitalized in an infectious diseases hospital.

The treatment regimen is compiled individually and may include:

• droppers with glucose solution (to prevent dehydration);
• drugs to restore water balance (“Regidron”);
• anti-diarrhea medications (“Enterol”);
• painkillers and antipyretics (Nurofen);
• antibiotics.

After treatment, you need to take a course of prebiotics (to prevent dysbacteriosis).

There are many reasons why mucus appears in a baby's stool. It is difficult for parents to determine what exactly caused this phenomenon, so only a person with the necessary skills and knowledge should examine the child and make a conclusion about the state of his health. Self-medication, especially in the presence of signs of disease, can lead to tragic consequences.

With the arrival of a newborn in the house, young parents expect many joyful and anxious moments. In the first days, the most questions are raised by the baby's nutrition, as well as the direct consequence of this process - defecation. The appearance of the stool sometimes greatly surprises moms and dads, especially if there is mucus in it. Let's figure out what reasons can lead to its appearance.

Stages of development

The stool of newborn babies is called meconium. It is a dark green (almost black) homogeneous, odorless mass consisting of amniotic fluid, epithelial cells intestines and secretions of the digestive glands.

After three to four days, bowel movements become more frequent, and stool becomes more liquid and lighter in color. There is a small amount of mucus in the stool due to transient dysbiosis - a physiological phenomenon that occurs during the formation of the child’s intestinal microflora.

On the fifth or sixth day, the stool of breastfed newborns acquires a creamy consistency, yellow and a sour smell. White flakes may be visible in it - the result of incomplete digestion of milk. Over time, the baby's gastrointestinal tract will adapt, and food will be completely absorbed.

The feces of “artificial” babies are characterized by a denser texture, pale yellow color and sourish odor. After the introduction of complementary foods, the properties of feces change: it becomes thick and brown.

Normal frequency of bowel movements: in the first two months - after each meal, then - 3-4 times, after six months - 2 times a day. A formula-fed baby will have fewer bowel movements.

Norm and pathology

A small amount of mucus is present in the stool of every infant. It protects the intestinal lining from aggressive substances and is released during bowel movements. Before one month old Almost all babies have a lack of lactase, an enzyme that breaks down milk sugar. This is also the reason for the presence of jelly-like inclusions in the stool. As the baby grows older, their volume gradually decreases.

But there are situations when mucus in the stool is alarming signs, namely:

1. a lot of it is released during each act of defecation
2. there is diarrhea with green and strong-smelling stools and sometimes blood
3. the baby does not eat well, loses weight, cries, is restless
4. body temperature rises

The following reasons can lead to this condition in a child:

1. nutritional errors
2. dysbacteriosis
3. gastrointestinal infections
4. lactase deficiency

Eating problems

The most common cause of bowel problems in a breastfed baby is a disproportion between the foremilk and hindmilk. At the moment of attachment to the breast, the first fluid begins to be released with a large amount of water and lactose, which performs the functions of drinking, and only then comes fatty milk. If the meal is interrupted too early, the baby will not receive enough nutrients. As a result, mucus and foam will appear in his stool. Solving this problem is simple - you need to feed the baby for at least 15-20 minutes.

Another factor influencing the baby’s stool is the mother’s diet. Jelly-like inclusions can occur due to the presence of highly allergenic (caviar, chocolate) or very fatty foods (walnuts, whole milk) in a woman’s menu. A nursing mother needs a reasonable diet, especially in the first months, when the baby’s enzymatic system is just maturing. It is best to adjust your diet together with your pediatrician.

Feces with mucus in an “artificial” baby may be the result of the wrong choice of formula. It is advisable that it includes pre- and probiotics, which help digest food.

Changes in the composition of feces after six months are a consequence of the introduction of complementary foods. Products that the baby tries for the first time are not completely absorbed, and their particles come out along with mucus. If the baby feels well and there are very few spots in the stool, then there is no need to stop complementary feeding. This measure should be taken only in case of a very violent negative reaction from the body.

Dysbacteriosis

Intestinal dysbiosis (dysbiosis) is a microflora disorder characterized by an increase in the number of pathogenic microorganisms. Its symptoms in infants are mucus in liquid green stool, flatulence and colic.

The main causes of dysbiosis in a child are the use of antibiotics, dietary disturbances in a nursing mother, and so on. To make a diagnosis, a stool test is necessary. Treatment usually includes complexes of beneficial bacteria or special adapted mixtures. Dysbiosis is not considered a reason to stop breastfeeding, but it may be necessary to change the mother's menu in a healthier direction.

Lactase deficiency

When the activity of an enzyme called lactase, which is responsible for the breakdown of milk sugar (lactose), decreases, it begins to accumulate in the intestines and creates an acceptable environment for the growth of bacteria. As a result, the baby develops greenish foamy stools with mucus and increased gas production.

In this case, it is worth conducting a scatological study - analyzing stool for carbohydrates. If it shows a deviation from the norm, then the nursing mother’s menu is first adjusted: fresh milk and sometimes fermented milk products are excluded. “Artificial drinkers” are prescribed a lactose-free mixture. In severe situations, it is recommended to take the lactase enzyme.

Infections

An intestinal infection in a child manifests itself not only in the form of mucus in the stool. As a rule, there is a strong odor and uncharacteristic color of stool, inclusions of blood, fever, abdominal pain and a disturbance in general well-being. These symptoms may indicate the development of a serious illness, such as dysentery or salmonellosis, so if they occur, you should definitely consult a doctor.

In addition, problems with bowel movements in a baby can be caused by microbes that enter his intestines along with mother's milk due to mastitis or another infection. In this case, milk analysis for sterility and subsequent treatment will be required.

Finding mucus in a child's stool is not a reason to panic. The parents' task is to carefully monitor the condition of the baby. If he feels great and is gaining weight normally, then there is most likely nothing to worry about. But if there are a lot of jelly-like impurities in the stool, and something is bothering the baby, then he should be shown to a doctor and examined.

We present to your attention a video about the features of digestion in the first year of life

Mucus in a baby's stool is a common occurrence, which does not always indicate problems with the body. If you notice your baby has mucous stools, don't panic. Pay attention to the volume, color and frequency of bowel movements, as well as the overall well-being of the baby. When a child is calm and gaining weight normally, there is no reason for alarm or concern.

Normal stool for a newborn

Interestingly, the stool of a breastfed baby can be almost anything. It matters a lot what foods mom eats. The condition of stool is affected by the age and well-being of the baby, the first complementary foods and the organization of feeding.

The first three days the child has black or black green chair odorless with the consistency of tar or thick sour cream. The stool then turns gray or gray-green in color and becomes semi-liquid. In the first week, the number of bowel movements is 3-6 times, but can reach 10-12.

After a week of life, the stool gradually returns to normal. Bowel movements occur after each meal, but in the second month the frequency is reduced to one to three times a day. If the baby “does not go to the toilet” for two or three days, but still feels well, the lack of stool is not constipation. This may occur due to a lack of breast milk and because...

Constipation in a newborn is a delay in stool for more than two days, which is accompanied by difficult and uncomfortable bowel movements, severe crying and abdominal pain. How to help your baby with constipation, read

A week after birth, the stool changes color and ranges from yellow to brown. The feces resemble liquid semolina porridge and have a faint sour-milk odor. When mother eats colored vegetables and fruits, the stool takes on unusual shades and colored inclusions.

Be careful with products bright colors, since they contain a strong allergen and can cause negative consequences in the baby in the form of allergies, severe colic, flatulence and other digestive problems.

More information about what a baby's stool should be like can be found at the link /. Please note that inclusions of white grains, green matter and mucus in a baby's stool are normal.

Causes of mucous stool

• Appears in small quantities when there is a load on the baby’s intestines. This load is especially strong in the first two months, when the newborn’s digestion is just adapting to new food. Mucus helps digest food;
• often results in a small amount of mucus. Abundant mucus appears with early or improper complementary feeding. On the advice of pediatricians, the first complementary feeding of a baby should be introduced no earlier than 5-6 months after birth;
• Runny nose due to flu or other colds. The child swallows a particle from the nasal cavity, which enters the intestines. The mucus in the stool will be clear;
• Long intervals between feedings and large portions stimulate fermentation in the baby's body and produce mucus. Feed your baby at least once every two hours and four times at night. Doctors recommend feeding a newborn on demand and not forcing him to eat if he doesn’t want to. The child releases the breast on his own when he is full. If your baby requires breastfeeding more often, feed more often. In addition, frequent application perfectly stimulates lactation;
• With artificial or mixed feeding, the cause of mucus is often an unsuitable milk formula. Doctors advise breastfeeding a newborn only, but sometimes the mother does not have this option. Which mixture to choose for your baby, read the article “”;
• Improper nutrition of a nursing mother. Many foods strongly irritate the newborn’s intestines and lead to changes and disturbances in stool. In addition, poor nutrition leads to allergies and other negative consequences. To avoid problems, read the article “”;

• Medicines taken by a nursing mother. The components of the products penetrate through breast milk and into the baby's body. The compositions of most medications negatively affect the condition of the baby and the course of lactation. Therefore, when breastfeeding, you need to be very careful when taking medications, carefully study the instructions and be sure to consult a doctor before use!;
• Problems with breastfeeding and improper latching of the nipple lead to the baby receiving only foremilk. Change breasts less often when feeding. The best option is the transition when the baby completely sucks one breast. This way he will receive the necessary portion of hind milk, the lack of which often causes green stool with mucus;
• Atopic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that is caused by allergies. Sometimes irritation, redness and peeling are accompanied by mucus in the stool;
• Intestinal obstruction, which occurs due to compression of the intestine and causes severe pain in the abdomen, vomiting and in infants, watery stools often mixed with blood. In this case, the baby needs immediate hospitalization and specialist help;

• Acute intestinal infections are the result of infection with fungi, bacteria and microbes. Newborns have a hard time similar diseases. They are accompanied by frequent diarrhea and copious mucus clots. In addition, intestinal infections are characterized by elevated temperature and vomiting, weakness and refusal to eat, dehydration. In this case, medical assistance is also necessary;
• Gluten deficiency (celiac disease). Gluten often causes allergies in young children, especially after complementary feeding. Then a special diet is introduced and foods containing gluten are excluded from the diet. These are pasta and bread, semolina and barley porridge;
• Dysbacteriosis or intestinal disorder is a common disease among children. In mild forms, the baby suffers from bloating, constipation or diarrhea, and colic. There is a small amount of mucus in the stool. Read what to do and how to help your baby with dysbiosis.

Specifics of mucus

Mucus is always present in small quantities in the feces of both children and adults. When illness or infection occurs, the amount of mucus increases significantly. The presence of the disease is also indicated by the color of the mucous discharge.

If you find a large amount of mucus in your baby's stool of a certain color, consult a doctor. Tests will help identify and determine the disease. Only a specialist can prescribe treatment! Self-medication will only make the problem worse.

To the doctor!

Sometimes the baby needs medical attention. The following symptoms indicate serious abnormalities in the development of the infant:

• with vomiting and mucus;
• Fever;
• Blood in the stool indicates serious problems. This may be dermatitis, protein allergy, inflammation and intestinal fissures;
• Defecation occurs more than 12 times a day;
• The baby is not gaining or losing weight. How to calculate correct weight a child under one year old, you can find out;
• Copious mucous stools unpleasant odor from mouth;
• Urination occurs more than 6 times per knock and is accompanied by an unpleasant odor;
• White chair;
• Green, foamy stool with a sharp sour smell. By the way, a normal baby with normal health is not a deviation;
• Brown, yellow or green stools with copious mucus indicate a cold in the infant;
• appears due to increased gas formation and severe colic. Abundant foam can be a sign of pathology and problems in the functioning of the body. The stronger the foam, the more serious the problem.

A properly composed menu for a nursing mother will help to improve the baby's stool. Dried fruits and fermented milk products and plenty of warm drinks contribute to normal digestion. The norm for a nursing mother is 2-3 liters of fluid per day! In addition, you can massage your baby's tummy before feeding using light strokes and circular movements. This will reduce colic and improve digestion.