Question

What should I do if my 2-year-old baby has diarrhea?

Answer

Diarrhea Care and Treatment for Children: During the summer and autumn seasons, children are most susceptible to diarrhea, often caused by consuming unclean food or water, or abdominal cold. The pathogens can be bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens. If the child has a few episodes of diarrhea and is in good spirits, you can observe at home. Here are some handling methods:

  1. Temporarily fast for a meal to allow the gastrointestinal tract to rest.
  2. Replenish fluids by giving them dilute tea with a little salt and sugar, served frequently.
  3. Feed with skimmed milk, congee, and a small amount of pickled vegetables, which are light and easy to digest. Precautions: Do not self-administer antibiotics as it may affect the detection of pathogens. Also, do not give antidiarrheal medication arbitrarily to prevent the excretion of pathogens and toxins. If any of the following conditions occur, seek medical attention immediately:
  4. More than 7 to 8 bowel movements per day.
  5. Large amounts of loose watery stools or small amounts containing pus and mucus.
  6. Accompanied by fever.
  7. Symptoms of dehydration such as thirst, irritability, crying, dry lips and tongue, sunken fontanelle and eye sockets, and slow retraction of skin when lifted and released.
  8. If the child is listless, drowsy, even if the number of bowel movements is not much and there is no fever, immediate medical attention is required. How can diarrhea be prevented?
  9. Since children’s gastrointestinal function is poor during the summer and autumn seasons, their diet should be nutritious but easy to digest with regular meals and portions.
  10. Drink plenty of water,…