Question
At around 40 days old, the newborn’s abdomen is often distended with gurgling sounds, and the stool contains milk residue. The baby defecates approximately four times a day. Although medication has been taken, the condition has not improved. Blood and stool tests have been conducted, and the results are normal. What is this condition?
Answer
Based on these symptoms, it is suspected that the baby may have lactose intolerance. This condition usually occurs in newborns or infants due to insufficient lactase production, leading to incomplete digestion of lactose in breast milk or formula milk, thus causing non-infectious diarrhea. It is recommended that parents let the baby drink more warm water, adopt a small and frequent feeding method to promote gastrointestinal digestion. At the same time, gently massaging the baby’s abdomen can promote gastrointestinal motility. Additionally, the mother’s diet should also be noted to alleviate the baby’s discomfort.