Why Does Your Toddler’s Poop Smells Like Mothballs? Causes, Treatment, and Everything You Need to Know

As a parent, you get used to the typical smells that come with changing toddler diapers. But when you notice your toddler’s poop smells oddly like mothballs, it can raise some alarms. You may be wondering, “Why does my toddler’s poop smell like mothballs?” This strange mothball-like odor is not normal for your toddler’s poop and signals some kind of underlying issue.

But don’t worry we will look at all possible reasons why your baby’s poop smells like mothballs, what treatment options are available, and when you must see a pediatrician.

To better understand this strange symptom. You can read my article further, in which you will get the right answers to all the questions related to the child’s poop smells like mothballs.

Why My Baby’s Poop Smells Like Mothballs?

It’s not normal for your toddler poop smells like mothballs. This distinct odor is usually caused by chemical compounds found in mothballs that have entered your child’s system somehow.

The most common causes include:

• Dietary intake: Consuming foods with high sulfur content like cauliflower, broccoli, eggs, red meat, milk, and legumes can make poop smell like mothballs. This is because sulfur in these foods gets converted to hydrogen sulfide gas.
• Medication side effects: Certain antibiotics like Augmentin and amoxicillin can cause such poop odor in some children. Anti-seizure meds and laxatives containing polyethylene glycol may also lead to it.
• Metabolic disorders: The inability to digest proteins fully can result in smelly stools. Conditions like cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and lactose intolerance may be to blame.
• Foreign object ingestion: If your toddler swallows a mothball by accident, their poop will smell like naphthalene. Seek emergency care right away in such a case.

What Could Be Causing My Toddler Poop Smells Like Mothballs?

There are a few possible medical reasons why your toddler’s poop gives off an odor like mothballs:

• Malabsorption issues: Problems absorbing fats, proteins, or sugars from food can lead to smelly and frothy poop. Causes include celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and pancreatic insufficiency.
• Infection: Bacterial infections from salmonella, C. difficile, giardia, etc. may produce foul-smelling poop. Viruses like rotavirus can also change stool smell.
• Food sensitivities: Allergies or intolerance to milk, soy, and wheat can affect digestion and bowel movement smell. Lactose intolerance is a common culprit.
• Excess gas and constipation: Buildup of intestinal gas from difficulty passing stools normally can make poop smell worse. The stool gets backed up and bacteria act on it.

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What is the treatment for a baby’s smelly poop?

Here are some ways your doctor may treat smelly poop resembling mothballs in babies:

• Identify and address the underlying cause: Testing for food allergies, infections, cystic fibrosis, etc. based on other symptoms can reveal the reason for odor. Treating the condition will resolve it.
• Change diet: Removing gassy foods, dairy, gluten, soy, or high-sulfur items from your baby’s diet under medical guidance may help. Probiotic supplements can aid digestion.
• Medications: Antibiotics for infections, laxatives for constipation, and enzymes for malabsorption issues may be prescribed. Discontinue unnecessary meds if causing odor as a side effect.
• Increase fluid intake: Keeping your baby well hydrated, especially if constipated, can ease bowel movements and make poop less smelly. Offer more breast milk or formula.
• Frequent diaper changes: Changing soiled diapers often prevents poop from sitting on the skin and bacteria from multiplying, reducing odor. Use barrier cream to protect the skin.

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What to do if Baby Poop Smells Like Moth balls?

If your infant’s poop has a pungent mothball-like smell, here are some tips while you consult a pediatrician:

• Don’t panic but call your doctor to discuss this unusual symptom. Describe the odor clearly.
• Check if your baby swallowed or came in contact with any mothball products and report this.
• Review any new foods, medications, or supplements you’ve introduced recently.
• Monitor for other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or blood in stool.
• Consider any family history of metabolic or digestive disorders.
• Note the color, consistency, and frequency of smelly poops. Collect a sample if asked by your pediatrician.
• Avoid giving your baby any new foods or over-the-counter meds before your appointment.
• Make sure your baby stays hydrated by nursing or bottle-feeding often.
• Use fragrance-free gentle wipes and barrier cream to clean and protect your baby’s skin during frequent diaper changes.

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When Should I Consult a Pediatrician About My Toddler Bowel Movements?

Consult your pediatrician if your toddler’s poop smells like moth balls along with any of these signs:

• Very loose, watery, or bloody stool
• Persistent diarrhea lasting over 2 days
• Forceful projectile vomiting
• Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
• Loss of appetite or trouble eating
• Abdominal pain or distension
• Weight loss or poor weight gain
• Signs of dehydration like reduced urination, crying without tears, etc.

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Sudden foul-smelling stools, especially with other symptoms, could indicate an underlying intestinal infection or condition requiring prompt medical evaluation. Don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician.

Why Does My Poop Smell Like Mothballs?

It’s not normal for your poop to smell like mothballs. This unusual odor is typically caused when chemicals found in mothballs and moth repellents enter your digestive system in small amounts. 

Some common Reason why does your poop smell like mothballs?:

• – Accidental ingestion or swallowing of a mothball
• – Exposure from mothball-treated clothes, storage items or surroundings 
• – Eating foods high in sulfur like eggs, meat, or cruciferous vegetables
• – Side effects of certain medications like some antibiotics

The mothball odor usually goes away once the exposure is eliminated. But if it persists along with symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, etc., see your doctor. An underlying digestive issue like an infection, food intolerance, or cystic fibrosis may need treatment.

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Conclusion On Poop Smell Like Mothballs

while smelly poops are common when potty training toddlers, a poop smell resembling mothballs is not normal for your little one. This unusual odor likely signals some underlying health issue that needs medical attention. Possible causes can range from a food intolerance to a gut infection.

Consult your pediatrician if your toddler poop smells like mothballs – don’t try home remedies yourself. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you should be able to resolve the mothball smell and any associated symptoms. Stay alert to any abnormal changes in your toddler’s poop.

Frequent smelly or malformed stools in a toddler can be a sign of a more serious condition. Work closely with your toddler’s doctor and follow their advice to get your child’s bowel movements back on track.