Is my child passing hard stools because of the formula?

Question

Hi doctor,

My 3-week-old child, about 8 lbs, had a hard stool in one diaper change, then changed to soft. The problem started yesterday. He will often pull his legs to his belly and cry like he is in pain. He is not on any medications and takes the Gerber Soothe pro formula.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

1. Baby having a hard stool is often the reason for decreased water content in the stool.

2. This often happens when the baby cannot digest formula feed.

3. Check for the dilution of the formula. While preparing the formula add more water to it.

4. It might help to change the formula feed brand if symptoms persist.

5. Any reason for not feeding breast milk? Because breast milk will not have such issues, plus it will have added advantage over formula feed.

6. Hard stool, often painful for the baby, must be addressed on priority.

7. Hard stool secondary to formula needs an immediate change in dilution of changing the brand.