Question
My child is five and a half months old, and recently, they have two to three bowel movements a day. The color and consistency of the stool are sometimes normal, but sometimes it contains darker stools. Is this normal? Does this frequency of bowel movements affect the child’s health?
Answer
If a baby has frequent bowel movements but is growing in weight normally, there is usually no cause for concern. It is recommended to control the intake of high-fat foods, maintain a light diet for the mother, and ensure the baby gets adequate exercise and playtime. You can try massaging the baby’s stomach in a counterclockwise direction. Suggested measures include proper feeding, introducing complementary foods, and taking oral probiotics. At the same time, regular stool examination should be conducted, and vitamins and trace elements should be supplemented.