Question
My newborn has been experiencing diarrhea for a week, and I’m unsure if it’s related to the change in formula brand. We were previously feeding a mixture of breast milk and formula, with only one to two formula feedings per day. Do I need to administer rehydration? If so, how should it be done?
Answer
It is recommended that newborns not consume too much milk initially. If breast milk supply is insufficient, you can introduce diluted milk (a ratio of 1 part water to 1 part milk). When feeding, do not increase the amount of milk too quickly to reduce gastrointestinal burden. You can use physiological saline, vitamin C, pepsin mixture, and short-chain fatty acids to help restore digestive function. Different types of diarrhea require different treatment methods, which may include berberine, furazolidone, polymyxin B, and others. If diarrhea is caused by a virus, antibiotics should not be given to the newborn. If general treatment does not improve after a while, especially if the frequency of watery diarrhea exceeds 10 times, immediate medical attention should be sought. Let me know if you are satisfied with my response. If there are any other requirements, I am more than happy to help you resolve them!