Question

My baby is 9 months old and has diarrhea 4-5 times a day. The baby’s stool consistency and appetite have also changed. What should I do?

Answer

If a baby has diarrhea 4-5 times a day, it may indicate illness if the baby appears unwell and has decreased appetite, with slightly reduced food intake. For a sudden increase in bowel movements, it is necessary to consider whether there is an illness. If the baby usually has more bowel movements but is otherwise in good condition and not losing weight, it may not necessarily be sick. There are many causes of baby diarrhea, including both non-infectious and infectious factors. Non-infectious factors may be related to diet or changes in weather, such as eating too much or too little, changes in food composition, rapid addition of new foods, or cold weather. Infectious factors may be related to unclean diet or the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. During diarrhea, probiotics can be taken to help restore intestinal health. Here are some suggestions for dealing with diarrhea:

  1. Rice Porridge: Cooked rice is fried to a golden brown, then mixed with water to form a thin porridge, which is beneficial for digestion and adsorption of pathogenic bacteria.
  2. Carrot Soup: Containing pectin, it can absorb toxins and bacteria, making it a good anti-diarrheal food.
  3. Apple Puree: Containing pectin and tannins, it is beneficial for stopping diarrhea. It is important to seek medical help if the baby continues to have diarrhea.