Question
A 15-day-old baby is experiencing diarrhea with egg-like stools, and the parents are worried. How should one handle diarrhea in such a young baby?
Answer
For a 15-day-old baby with diarrhea, the first consideration should be whether it’s due to rotavirus infection. In this case, timely fluid replacement is crucial, as the illness typically lasts for 3 to 8 days. The causes of diarrhea may include gastrointestinal malabsorption, improper diet, or catching a cold. For breastfed babies, the mother should be cautious about her diet, avoiding cold and irritating foods, and maintaining regular eating habits. She should adopt a small and frequent feeding method. It’s also important to keep the baby’s abdomen warm and to perform abdominal massage appropriately.