3 Week Old Baby?
2009 August 31
My 3 week old son had diarrhea in his last diaper. Should I wait to call the doctor? I know that with babies that once diarrhea happens it can be hard to stop. I don’t know if this is anything, but he is breastfed and has been acting normal. No fever… nothing out of the normal except one diaper full of diarrhea
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Breastfed babies tend to have “looser” stools than formula fed babies. I would wait until morning to call the dr., unless he starts running a high fever, has trouble breathing or other serious signs. But if it’s just the one diaper, it’s probably the breastmilk. Don’t forget that when you are breastfeeding, whatever you eat the baby eats too. I ended up having to switch from drinking cow’s milk to soy milk because my daughter was sensitive and got horrible tummy aches whenever I did dairy. Good luck.
He should be fine. Keep track of when he has the watery poops. If he has another, call the doctor, they are there to answer questions and you usually don’t get charged for a call day or night (plus your baby is worth it!)
Just know–sometimes they are a bit cranky in the middle of the night–but who cares, you are being a good parent! They deal with us worries first time moms all the time!
Also, they’ll probably sy it’s nothing if there is no temp, but again, it is their job to answer questions…call if you’re worried
I wouldn’t worry too much, just keep a very close eye on him. As long as he is still nursing and peeing and pooing properly then he is probably fine. If his diarrhea persists anymore then you should take him in right away. 3 week old baby’s have a very weak immune system and can’t really fight things off very well so better safe then sorry, and you really have to watch for dehydration. If it was only one batch of diarrhea then I wouldn’t worry right now, just if there is more. It may be something you ate.
Are you really sure it’s diarrhea? He could just be processing something weird that you ate. My son is 3 months, breastfed, and even now he will throw me for a loop sometimes, and I think “what the heck did I eat??” If you are really concerned, it doesn’t hurt to call the doctor.
Breastfed babies stools are normally runny. You can’t predict diarrhea off of one diaper. It sounds like he’s ok. but if he continues to have lots of loose stools then contact your doctor.
have you changed his formula? Even mixed it differently?
Maybe the doc will let you add a little rice?
At 3 weeks his stool is still pretty watery and loose he is probably just fine if he has one more I would call dr.