Question
My 6-month-old has loose stool, occurring once a day in the morning, with occasional small amounts in between. The bottom is always red. We have started introducing complementary foods, including one egg yolk per day, but we haven’t had rice porridge for half a month and the baby formula intake is minimal. The stool has remained unformed.
Answer
In dealing with a child’s loose stool and red buttocks, it is important to first pay attention to the diet. If the child is breastfed, the mother should avoid eating cold, irritating foods, and those difficult to digest. Giving the child some lactase tablets to regulate the digestive system and ensuring the child gets enough water can be helpful. The redness on the buttocks might be due to frequent bowel movements. It is essential to clean the area thoroughly after each bowel movement and apply Erythromycin ointment to the buttocks. If the child is diagnosed with a digestive system disease, immediate medical treatment should be sought, along with gastrointestinal decompression. Parents should avoid picky eating and ensure a reasonable dietary habit for the child.