As the temperature rises in spring, various bacteria and viruses also begin to grow rapidly. Combined with large temperature differences and unpredictable weather, this is not a good sign for babies whose gastrointestinal function is not yet fully developed. They are prone to diarrhea if they are not careful.
First, the causes of spring diarrhea in babies:
1. Infection by viruses or bacteria
Among the various viruses and bacteria that cause diarrhea in babies, rotavirus is the most common pathogen, which is more likely to affect babies aged 6 months to 7 years. Although diarrhea caused by rotavirus is called "autumn diarrhea," the incidence rate is not low in winter and spring, especially in the southern regions where winter and spring are often the peak period of the disease. Mothers should pay extra attention to this.
2. Improper long-term feeding
Many babies nowadays are treated like "little princes" or "little princesses" at home, with extremely rich diets. This phenomenon is prone to cause food accumulation in babies, leading to gastrointestinal disorders and even diarrhea.
3. Caused by colds
Diarrhea caused by colds is relatively easy to detect. It can recover along with the cure of the cold. In this case, it is more important to prevent spring colds.
4. Allergic to formula
If the baby is still drinking formula, diarrhea caused by formula allergy is also common. Generally speaking, babies with a hereditary allergic constitution are more prone to formula allergies, and diarrhea can be accompanied by mucus and blood streaks, as well as symptoms such as eczema, hives, and asthma.
Second, preventive measures for spring diarrhea in babies:
1. Diet therapy comes first
In daily life, dietary therapy is the simplest and easiest method of regulation. Mothers can give babies some stomach-nourishing foods, such as yam porridge, almond paste, sesame paste, etc., while avoiding spicy, cold, and greasy foods.
2. Keep up with exercise
As the temperature gradually warms up in spring, mothers can take their babies outdoors for more activities, such as running, skipping, aerobics, ball games, etc., to help the baby exercise their limbs, improve their immune system, and stay away from spring diarrhea.
3. Pay attention to hygiene
Mothers should cultivate the good habit of washing hands frequently for their babies in daily life. Behaviors such as sucking fingers that are not hygienic should be appropriately stopped to prevent the intake of bacteria and germs. At the same time, mothers should also disinfect the utensils used by their babies, and the food must be clean and hygienic.
4. Spinal manipulation therapy
"Spinal manipulation" can stimulate the baby's meridians, strengthen gastrointestinal function, promote digestion and absorption, and improve immunity. The correct method is for the mother to pinch the skin at the tailbone of the baby's back with both hands, lift it up, and pinch it upwards along the spine until the neck, repeating this process 6 times. It is best to do this every day.
Third, precautions for spring diarrhea in babies:
1. Avoid eating flatulence-inducing foods
When the baby has diarrhea, they should avoid eating foods that can cause intestinal bloating and worsen diarrhea, such as soybeans, tofu, soy milk, mung beans, red beans, etc. In addition, excessive milk can also cause intestinal bloating. Limiting the intake of milk during the baby's diarrhea is recommended. Sour milk can be consumed, as it contains lactobacillus, which can inhibit harmful bacteria in the intestines and is beneficial for the baby's gastrointestinal health.
2. Avoid eating foods high in long fibers
Foods high in long fibers can aggravate the burden on the intestines and stomach of a baby with diarrhea. For example, common fruits like watermelon, pears, pomelos, and oranges, as well as vegetables like spinach, celery, and cabbage, contain a lot of fiber, which can accelerate intestinal peristalsis and worsen diarrhea. These foods should be avoided during the baby's diarrhea.
3. Avoid eating foods high in polysaccharides
Sugary foods can easily cause flatulence. During the baby's diarrhea, their digestive capacity is already weakened. If they consume high-sugar foods such as candy, chocolate, desserts, etc., the sugar in the intestines will ferment and worsen flatulence. Therefore, the baby should consume less sugar during diarrhea.
