Question
What should I do if my four-and-a-half-month-old baby has been suffering from diarrhea for a month?
Answer
Firstly, we need to differentiate between physiological and pathological diarrhea in the baby. Physiological diarrhea is usually seen in breastfed babies, where the baby’s weight stabilizes and their mood remains good without affecting appetite. Pathological diarrhea, on the other hand, often presents with watery stools, and the baby may show signs of poor mood, frequent crying, and an impact on weight gain, sometimes with minimal or even reduced weight gain. If the diarrhea is physiological, it usually does not require special treatment. The mother should pay attention to adjusting her diet, avoiding overly greasy foods to prevent exacerbating the baby’s diarrhea. Moreover, since the baby has frequent bowel movements, they are prone to red buttocks. It is essential to clean the baby’s buttocks thoroughly after each bowel movement, especially the anus and its surrounding area. After cleaning, use a clean cloth or gauze to dry the area without rubbing too hard. If the anus is red, you can apply a little sesame oil to the baby. If there is no redness, you can also apply a small amount of sesame oil now as a preventive measure. In case of pathological diarrhea, parents should immediately take the baby to the hospital for treatment.