Question
A ten-month-old baby has been experiencing persistent diarrhea and vomiting in recent days, along with a high fever for the first two days. Although the fever has subsided today, the baby’s condition does not seem to have improved with medications like Mami Love and Simeta. The parent is asking how to handle the situation.
Answer
Severe vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can be life-threatening, especially for the elderly and children. Common causes include indigestion, food poisoning, emotional stress, legumes, pancreatic diseases, cancer, laxatives, antacids, caffeine, parasites, colitis, viruses, bacteria, or other microbial infections, drinking unclean water or consuming spoiled food, food or chemical substance allergies, etc. For infants, the following methods can be adopted:
- Rice Porridge: Grind rice flour or cream into powder, fry until golden brown, then boil with water to make a thin paste. Rice porridge is easier to digest and its carbonized structure helps adhere to intestinal bacteria and toxins, making it an ideal food for a baby with diarrhea.
- Carrot Soup: Carrots contain pectin which can help solidify stool and reduce the absorption of bacteria and toxins. Boil carrots, peel them, mash them into a puree, then cook with water to make soup.
- Apple Puree: Apples contain pectin