For whatever reason you change your baby's formula, you may be concerned about digestion issues including diarrhea. Does switching cause that?
As a parent, you have to adjust and make changes for your baby's benefit. It may be the diapers you use or the timing for feedings. One adjustment may be your baby's formula. You may be weaning off the breast and starting an organic formula. You may also be changing from conventional formulas and opting for organic brands like Hipp, Holle, and Lebenswert. Sometimes babies have reactions to formula and need to switch to something less problematic or allergenic. Whatever the reason, you just want to make your baby happy and nourished.
How Can You Tell If Your Baby Has Diarrhea?
Before you worry if your baby has diarrhea, consider the fact that baby poop differs from adult poop. This is because of their diet. Breastfed babies can poop often and it can typically be soft with a seedy texture. Formula-fed babies is more comparable to peanut butter. As diet changes, so does the consistency of poop.
Diarrhea in babies is when your baby has sudden changes in stool. Not only is it more watery than usual, but it is also more frequent. Dehydration is a concern when your baby is dealing with severe cases of diarrhea. Continue feeding your baby to ensure that they get enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
How Can Baby Formula Cause Diarrhea?
Your baby can be susceptible to a food allergy or a food intolerance that can affect their bowel movements. When the immune system attacks food proteins for whatever reason, it can cause a reaction including abdominal discomfort, gas, and diarrhea. Food allergies can run in the family, however a common food allergen for babies up to their first birthday is milk protein allergy. While it is rare, a food intolerance or food sensitivity like lactose intolerance can occur when the body does not produce enough lactase to digest lactose.
What If Your Baby Formula is Causing Diarrhea?
If your baby is having diarrhea, abdominal pains, blood in the poop, or bloating, you may already be working on changing your baby's formula. It may take a week for all of the symptoms to go away. If you are making a change because of milk protein allergy, choose a baby formula in which the milk proteins are smaller and easier to digest. Holle Goat Milk formula has smaller proteins which may ease tummy troubles. Hipp Special Comfort has hydrolyzed proteins that are easier to digest and less lactose which may also trigger reactions. And like all Hipp products, it is combiotic with prebiotics and probiotics to support gut health.
Typically, a new baby formula will not cause diarrhea. However, symptoms like diarrhea can be an indicator of a food allergy or infection. If your baby is under three months old, see your pediatrician immediately. The same is true if vomiting occurs along with diarrhea.
