Baby diarrhea is a common occurrence, mainly because the baby's digestive system is not fully developed and is more fragile, so it is easy for them to have diarrhea if not careful. However, baby diarrhea can be prevented, and even if it occurs, parents should not panic. Let's take a look at how to adjust the addition of complementary foods for baby diarrhea, how to prevent it, and how to care for the baby after diarrhea. Moms, let's learn together!
Prevention of Baby Diarrhea
Although there are various causes of diarrhea, the prevention methods are similar. Firstly, arrange a balanced diet according to nutritional principles and the needs of different ages. Secondly, pay attention to appropriate temperature and drink plenty of water. The most important thing is that caregivers (including parents, nannies, etc.) must be healthy and hygienic, and feeding utensils must be boiled and disinfected after each use.
How to Adjust the Addition of Complementary Foods for Baby Diarrhea?
1. If the baby eats too much, reduce the amount of food to allow the baby's digestive system to rest. For formula-fed babies, temporarily reduce the amount of formula for each meal and dilute it with rice soup. For babies who have already started on solid foods, suspend the introduction of new foods until the diarrhea stops, and then gradually reintroduce them. For breastfed babies, do not stop breastfeeding and replace it with other foods, but mothers should drink a large bowl of warm water before breastfeeding.
2. For babies with long-term insufficient or unbalanced nutrition, they need to be patiently and carefully treated. These babies have already developed chronic malnutrition (commonly known as "milk lassitude") due to poor digestive function. If nutritional foods are added too quickly, it can cause more episodes of diarrhea.
- Gradually add small amounts of protein-rich foods.
- Supplement water-soluble vitamins (vitamin B1, B2, and vitamin C) 2-3 times a day, with 1/2 to 1 tablet each time, crushed and fed. Breastfed babies should continue to be breastfed.
- Fish protein powder contains rich high-quality protein, is low in fat, and does not contain lactose (because babies lack sufficient lactase during illness), which is very effective in treating infant diarrhea. For babies aged 6 months, add 5 grams to rice soup daily. For babies over 6 months, add 10 grams to rice porridge or rice flour daily.
- Carrot puree is rich in pectin, which helps to form stools and adsorb bacteria, and is also effective for diarrhea.
How to Care for Baby Diarrhea
1. If you cannot change the baby's diapers and clean the buttocks in a timely manner, it may cause diaper rash or even local infection. Therefore, diapers should be changed as soon as they become wet, and the buttocks should be cleaned before each diaper change. If necessary, apply diaper cream to protect the skin.
2. During diarrhea, temporarily suspend the introduction of complementary foods and gradually reintroduce them after the diarrhea improves. Parents should understand the amount of food the baby can consume and avoid feeding the baby too much food at once, especially meat.
3. Do not withhold food from the baby just because of diarrhea. Instead, give the baby easily digestible soft foods, such as noodle soup and rice porridge.
4. Encourage the baby to drink more water or take oral rehydration salts to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. In severe cases of dehydration, intravenous fluid therapy may be necessary.
