Question
Dear Doctor: My six-month-old baby has been suffering from diarrhea since birth until three months old. At one month, we gave the baby some infant digestive powder and montmorillonite powder, and the stool improved for over a month. Now, the baby is having diarrhea again, and the feces are like foam. What could be the cause? How should it be treated? Could it be related to the baby eating formula within the first two hours after birth?
Answer
In this case, it is important to consider whether the baby has lactose intolerance or milk protein allergy. Some babies have lactose intolerance and experience diarrhea after consuming breast milk or formula; others may have an allergy to their mother’s breast milk or formula, which can also lead to diarrhea. It is recommended to give the baby oral lactase and continue breastfeeding while observing the diarrhea situation. If necessary, a milk protein allergy test should be conducted.