Diarrhea in babies
Not exactly the topic for a tea
party, but never-the-less important – especially for new moms who worry about
anything out of the ordinary!
When do I know my baby has diarrhea?
Newborns have a variety of soft stools,
and these are not necessarily diarrhea. Meconium is the first stool – it’s a
sticky, tarry-black colour and is made up of mucous waste collected in the
intestines during the pregnancy. Breast-fed babies have very soft (often
frothy) greenish, yellowish, mustard-coloured stools at first. This change in
colour is a good sign and means that the gut is absorbing and excreting extra
bilirubin – the waste product of broken-down red blood cells. Frequent, soft
stools (about half an hour after feeding) is normal – so don’t stress about it.
Teething babies often have soft
runny stools that cause nappy rash. This is probably because they’re dribbling
so much, their salivary glands are over-stimulated by chewing on everything –
especially car keys that aren’t exactly sterile!
Babies stools change in colour,
smell and consistency when you introduce solids. This is normal and nothing to
worry about. Chronic diarrhea without symptoms of illness when formula is
introduced may be caused by a lactose intolerance. Soy-based, lactose-free
formula can be used to help baby during this transition from breast to bottle
feeding.
Diarrhea caused by an infection
comes with vomiting and a fever. Babies can quickly lose up to 5% of body
weight over 24 hours. When this happens, it’s important to spoon-feed small,
frequent amounts of re-hydration fluid and get medical help. Don’t give your
baby medicine for diarrhea.
Babies younger than 6 months with
watery stools for 24 hours should be taken to the doctor.
What can I do when my baby has diarrhea?
It’s a mistake to stop feeds –
especially breast feeding. Fluids are essential to replace those that are lost
with diarrhea – especially in babies younger than 6 months – and vomiting
babies. Extra re-hydration fluids (at room temperature) should be given with a
teaspoon every 10 – 20 minutes (this minimises the chances of vomiting) until
you can see the doctor.
Re-hydration fluid recipe:
Six (6) level teaspoons of Sugar
Half (1/2) level teaspoon of Salt
One Litre (4 cups 250 mls each) boiled and cooled clean water.
Babies with diarrhea who are older than 6 months and eating solids can
be given mashed banana, jelly and grated apple or soft cooked white rice.
What is lactose intolerance?
Your baby’s gut is lined with minuscule ‘fingers’ that absorb the
nutrients from his diet. Diarrhea can damage these fingers so that they stop
producing certain enzymes (lactase and sucrose) that absorb milk carbohydrates.
Formula with lactose can prolong diarrhea and also cause colic, flatulence,
abdominal pain and even weight loss.
Preventing diarrhoea:
Before baby starts crawling, scrub and sterilise all bottles, teats and
dummies. Make sure your hands are clean before preparing baby’s feeds. Babies
younger than 6 months only need breast-milk or formula. Juices and teas can be
introduced later.
When introducing juice, give your baby 100% fresh fruit juice diluted
(50/50) with cooled, boiled water. Don’t give him artificially sweetened juices, cola’s or
soda’s.
Only use modified cow’s
milk formulas for babies younger than one year. After his first birthday, you
can give your baby full-cream cow’s milk – initially diluted 50/50, gradually
strengthening it – to check for intolerance.
