Question
My baby is ten months old and has been having three to four bowel movements a day for over a week now. The stool consistency is normal, but there are two bowel movements at 2 am and noon each day, and one to two more in the afternoon. Is this considered diarrhea? The baby primarily eats breast milk and solid food, with limited fruit intake. I haven’t seen a doctor yet and would like to know if I should give the baby anti-diarrheal medication.
Answer
The baby has not had diarrhea in the past, but has been experiencing frequent bowel movements for the past week. Although the number of bowel movements exceeds three per day, the stool consistency is normal. This may be due to frequent bowel movements or catching a cold. It is recommended to first observe and ensure the baby’s abdomen is kept warm. Pay attention to whether the baby cries during bowel movements; if the situation persists or is accompanied by crying, there may be inflammation, and timely treatment is needed.