Question

My baby has been suffering from diarrhea for three days. He has been diagnosed and received intravenous treatment, but his symptoms worsened last night. He has diarrhea after eating and has been consuming sugary porridge recently. Is it appropriate to add sugar to the food in this situation? The baby’s spirit is still good, but he cries at night and makes stomach rumbling sounds. Thank you for your answer; it’s a bother.

Answer

Based on the information you provided, your baby’s condition may be acute gastroenteritis. Although the baby’s spirit is still good, diarrhea can still lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. In this case, it is recommended to avoid giving your baby sugary foods, especially the additional sugar in the porridge. Sugar can exacerbate bloating and may disrupt the balance of electrolytes, particularly leading to hypokalemia. Bloating may worsen abdominal pain. If abdominal pain eases after eating sweets, this may be temporary, but it is not recommended as a treatment method. It is suggested to follow the doctor’s advice and pay attention to your baby’s diet and rehydration to help your baby recover health.