Diarrhea in a Five Month Old Baby

Most infants experience bouts of diarrhea from time to time. Most times diarrhea does not cause any lasting harm to an infant. However, young infants around the age of five months should be closely monitored for dehydration when diarrhea occurs. Dehydration in infants can become serious if not treated effectively.

Significance

Infant diarrhea may indicate the presence of a viral or bacterial intestinal infection. Also, diarrhea may occur as a result of a food intolerance or food allergy. Caregivers should consult a physician any time diarrhea lasts for more than a week.

Features

Infant diarrhea typically appears runny and may be greenish-brown in color. Also, often times infant diarrhea smells foul. An infant may have diarrhea if bowel movements occur about two times more often that usual.

Considerations

Diarrhea may accompany an ear infection. Also, antibiotics often cause diarrhea in young infants.

Caregivers should be careful to monitor the infant's diaper area for signs of irritation. Diarrhea often causes painful rashes which can be treated with diaper rash ointments.

Prevention/Solution

When diarrhea occurs, caregivers may want to eliminate dairy products and juice for a short time and offer either soy-based formula or an electrolyte solution until the diarrhea subsides. Breastfeeding mothers should continue to breastfeed normally. Some 5-month-old infants may be eating solids foods. In this case, caregivers can continue to offer the infant bananas and rice cereal. Parents may also want to keep a chart detailing the number of stools along with a description of each and also note any other symptoms. This chart will be beneficial if a doctor evaluates the infant.

Warning

In young infants, diarrhea may lead to dehydration, which may be serious. Vomiting along with diarrhea increases the risk of dehydration even more. Signs of dehydration include the absence of wet diapers, dry eyes, dry mouth and weight loss. Other signs that warrant a doctor's appointment include blood in the stools, unresponsiveness, lethargy, a fever higher than 101 degrees and continual crying.

An infant should never be given an anti-diarrheal medication. These medications may be harmful to infants.