White Curds In Baby Poop: Causes And When To Worry I BabyChakra

Sudeshna Chakravarti

Author | 799 Articles

Did you know that when it comes to your baby’s poop, there’s a whole spectrum of colours and textures that you may notice? So, if you happen to spot white curds in your little one’s poop, avoid panicking. White curds are usually bits of digested milk fat from your breast milk or your baby’s formula. They may also occur due to other relatively harmless reasons, such as introducing solids to your little one’s diet, or a food allergy.

Read on as we fill you in on everything about white curds in baby poop, its causes, treatment, and when to contact your child’s healthcare provider.

What Might be Causing White Curds in Your Baby’s Poop?

Undigested Milk Fat

Breastfeeding is considered one of the most common causes of white curds or chunks in a baby’s poop. The fat from your milk doesn’t always break down fully in your baby’s stomach, which is why you may notice a cottage cheese-like appearance in your baby’s stool.

This condition is usually not a cause of concern as long as your baby is eating fine and showing no other signs of discomfort or illness.

Undigested Food

If you have recently introduced your baby to a solid diet, then chances are, the white curds in their stool are bits of undigested food. As your baby’s stomach is still developing and adjusting to a new diet, white curds in their poop could be a frequent appearance. But don’t worry, as your munchkin grows older, this condition resolves on its own.

Infection or Any Other Illness

Though uncommon, an infection could also be a cause of white curds in your baby’s poop. Bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections could change the appearance of your baby’s poop and texture.

Your baby may have other symptoms in case of an infection, including:

Irritability
Fever
A runny nose
Cough

If your baby’s poop changes colour or texture suddenly, and they develop any of the above symptoms, contact your paediatrician immediately.

Do Allergies Cause White Poop in Baby?

A study conducted by the National Library of Medicine stated that there is no association between the white curds in your baby’s poop and food allergies. In case your little one has milk allergy, they may generally have the following symptoms:

Vomiting
Wheezing
Coughing
Hives

A food allergy occurs due to an immune system reaction when a particular food is eaten. It may lead to unpleasant and in some cases severe complications, and hence, you must seek immediate care in case your baby displays any signs of food allergy.

Could Food Intolerance Cause White Curds in Your Baby’s Poop?

Food intolerance is a condition where your baby has trouble digesting a particular food, but unlike food allergies, the symptoms of this condition aren’t severe. Lactose intolerance is a great example of food intolerance, however, it rarely occurs in babies.

While there is no evidence that food sensitivities or intolerances are associated with white curds in your little one’s poop, if you have recently changed your diet (in the case of breastfed babies) or brand of formula, it’s possible your baby is showing signs of intolerance toward something.

Signs of food sensitivity in babies could include:

Increased gas
Increased irritability or fussiness
Diarrhoea (increased frequency of stools or watery stools)
Blood or mucus in your baby’s stool

While it’s uncommon to notice white curds in your baby’s poop due to an intolerance, if you see any of the above-listed symptoms in them, call your paediatrician immediately. You can also try applying tummy relief roll-on to ease gas and stomach cramps in your little one. BabyChakra’s tummy relief roll-on is formulated with botanical ingredients like hing and fennel that soothes conditions like acid reflux and bloating and reduces stomach discomforts.

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What Does White Curd in Your Toddler’s Poop Mean?

Your toddler’s poop will still have a range of colour and textures, unlike yours, but in general, they will appear soft, brown, and formed.

Like babies, if your toddler consumes high amounts of formula or cow’s milk, then there’s a possibility that they may have poop with white chunks or curds. White curds could also occur due to the kind of foods your toddler is eating, or even how they have been eating. For instance, if your toddler is eating light-coloured foods like pasta, cheese, yogurt, or crackers too quickly, then you may notice white chunks in their poop, which are just partially digested bits of food.

However, if the changes in your toddler’s food are sudden and accompanied by other symptoms, then it could be a sign of intolerance or allergy.

Other Colours of Baby Poop that You May Notice

The colour of your baby’s poop varies as they grow, depending on their bowel function, food, or gut health. However, some common colours of baby poop include:

Black: This is referred to as meconium, which is your baby’s first poop after birth. It contains all the substances that your baby ingested while in the womb.
Yellow: Your baby’s poop will eventually appear grainy and yellowish in the first week after their birth.
Green: Once you introduce your baby to a solid diet, the colour of their poop may change with what they eat. Green poop usually signifies a diet rich in iron supplements or iron or could be due to the consumption of too many green leafy vegetables.
Red: If your infant had anything containing beetroots or food colours, then red poop is fine. But if you notice specks of blood in their stool, contact your paediatrician immediately, as it could be a sign of constipation.
Brown: It signifies healthy digestion and there’s no cause to worry about it.

When to Call a Doctor?

While white curds in your baby’s poop aren’t a cause for concern, if you notice any of the following symptoms, then give your doctor a call right away.

Increased gassiness
Diarrhoea with blood in poop
Pain in their abdomen or stomach
White, clay-coloured, or pale yellow poop
Symptoms of milk allergy, such as vomiting or wheezing after feeding
Symptoms of lactose intolerance, such as abdominal pain and bloating

Conclusion

It’s common to notice white curds in baby poop, but but don’t worry as it is not a matter of concern, and usually resolves once your little one’s digestive system has developed. White chunks in their stool could only be a sign of undigested milk fat, but if your baby shows any other abnormal symptom, such as fever, gassiness, or fussiness, then make sure to contact your paediatrician immediately, as it could be an indicator of infection or poor gut health.