Question
My baby is 50 days old and has been on a mixed feeding schedule. Before this, he had normal bowel movements of 2-3 times a day. Since around 40 days, he has been experiencing diarrhea, occurring 7-8 times a day, sometimes loose and sometimes pasty, with a color that is still basically golden yellow. After undergoing a stool test at the hospital, what should we do?
Answer
A reasonable diet and appropriate medication after childhood diarrhea can shorten the course of the disease and promote quick recovery, with minimal impact on the child’s health. However, improper handling often leads to dehydration, acidosis, and electrolyte imbalances, which can severely harm the child’s life; or cause developmental disorders, leading to malnutrition and affecting the child’s growth and development. Therefore, it is necessary for parents to understand and master some home treatment and care methods for pediatric diarrhea. The principles of treating diarrhea are: (1) prevent dehydration; (2) correct dehydration; (3) continue feeding; (4) use medication reasonably. According to these principles, for children with mild cases and no obvious dehydration, the following measures can be taken at home for treatment. Severe cases require hospitalization.