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Austin Babies
Keribells
member
Diarrhea?
Keribells
member
DD had 4 poopy diapers at daycare today- the last two were loose. I got her home and just changed another loose one. Nothing solid at all but it wasn't urine. She had 3 3 oz bottles while there and I just gave her another one. She usually take 3-4 oz per feeding. I called pedi to see if there is anything I should watch for but I'm sure they won't call back since it was almost 5 so here I am asking you ladies! It may be nothing at all but I don't want to miss a sign or symptom that I should be watching for. Ya know?
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Re: Diarrhea?
The time frame is a little more narrow for a 3 month old. Vomiting should be limited to 12 hours in a newborn (birth - age 3 months). They have very limited stores of potassium and sodium and vomiting will deplete it rather quickly and that alone can be life threatening.
But diarrhea is another thing entirely and a lot less scary. Her stomach may in fact be upset, that's why she's drinking less. So don't force it, let her take the lead. Do try smaller feeds more frequently if she'll let you. I know babies are finicky and it's not like you can tell them they can have a little more later!
Watch for signs of dehydration which are no tears when crying and no urine output for 8-12 hours. Baby may also appear limp, lethargic, possibly with a sunken soft spot.
More than 8 loose stools in 24 hours should be a call to after hours for further advice, as should a fever measuring more than 100.4 rectally. Fever burns additional calories and even a low grade one in a newborn baby causes sweating which leads to "insensible" or unmeasurable fluid losses. Sweating across such a wide body surface relative to their weight plus the diarrhea can dehydrate more quickly.
**the scary stuff, feel free to skip if everything above is like "no, my baby isn't that sick!***
Discuss your baby's symptoms carefully with the on call pedi before going to any ER. A fever and diarrhea at this age could lead to a pretty big workup in the ER to rule out other sources of fever like menengitis and sepsis. That would include an IV, urine cath, stool sample and possible a spinal tap (Lumbar Puncture). You do not want to put your kiddo through that if they're not dehydrated and doing OK on their own. However, if your baby has a fever and bad diarrhea and is showing signs of dehydration, you should absolutely go to Children's at that age. Adding a rash on the body (not diaper) would also be highly concerning. If your baby is lethargic or really not acting themselves or spikes a high fever (possibly with seizure) the closest available hospital or call 911.