Question

The baby is just 3 months old. When I feed the baby in the morning, the baby keeps crying and fussing, no matter how much I try to comfort it. The baby eats very little and has diarrhea-like stools. After getting tired of crying, it falls asleep. In the middle of the night, there is a bit of loose stool, and the baby’s condition is not good during the day either. The baby has had 7 or 8 bowel movements a day. What should I do?

Answer

Many parents are worried about their child’s diarrhea and hope to take immediate measures to stop it. However, like fever, diarrhea is a body defense reaction. When harmful substances are present in the body, the body tries to expel them. If strong antidiarrheal medications are given to the child, it may lead to the inability to completely expel toxins from the intestines, thereby worsening the condition. Therefore, when dealing with diarrhea, it is necessary to take the correct approach. First, maintain the baby’s water intake and feed the baby appropriately to replenish lost fluids and nutrients. Second, observe if there are any other discomforts such as fever or vomiting, and if so, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Finally, avoid giving the baby too many sweets or greasy foods to prevent gastrointestinal irritation. If the baby’s symptoms persist or do not improve within three days, it is advisable to consult a doctor for further examination and treatment.