Treatment for diarrhea in the baby, which corresponds to 3 or more stools of soft or liquid stools, within 12 hours, mainly involves avoiding dehydration and malnutrition of the baby.
Therefore, it is necessary to give the baby breast milk or bottle, in a habitual way and the serum for rehydration of pharmacy or homemade in a volume equal to the weight of the baby in kg times 100, given the spoonfuls. So if your baby has 4 kg you should drink 400 ml of whey throughout the day.
Here's how to make whey at home:
However, taking drugs such as antispasmodic drops against cramps is not recommended because they prevent active movement of the intestines and make it difficult to eliminate viruses or bacteria that may be causing diarrhea.
How to give the rehydration serum
The amount of rehydration serum that should be given to the baby throughout the day varies according to age:
- 0 to 3 months : 50 to 100 mL should be given for each evacuation of diarrhea;
- 3 to 6 months : administer 100 to 150 mL for each episode of diarrhea;
- More than 6 months : give 150 to 200 mL for each evacuation with diarrhea.
Once opened, the rehydration serum should be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours and therefore, if not completely used after that time should be thrown in the trash.
In cases of diarrhea, parents should watch for signs of dehydration, such as deep eyes or crying without tears, decreased urine, dry skin, irritability or dry lips, and go immediately to the pediatrician or hospital if they happen.
Feeding the baby with diarrhea
In feeding the baby with diarrhea in addition to giving the bottle or breast milk, when the baby already eats other foods, can also be given to the baby:
- Corn or rice porridge;
- Mashed cooked vegetables like potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes or squash;
- Baked or cooked apple and pear and banana;
- Cooked chicken;
- Cooked rice.
However, it is normal for the baby to have a lack of appetite, especially in the first 2 days.
Causes of Diarrhea in Baby
The main cause of diarrhea in the baby are intestinal infections caused by viruses or bacteria, also called gastroenteritis, due to the habit of infants bringing to their mouth everything that is within their reach, such as toys or dummies lying on the floor, for example.
In addition, other causes of diarrhea in the baby may be infestations by worms, collateral reaction of another illness such as influenza or tonsillitis, ingestion of spoiled foods, food intolerance or use of antibiotics, for example.
When to go to the doctor
It is necessary to go to the doctor when the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, fever above 38.5 ° C or if blood or pus appears in the stool. See what can be bloody diarrhea in babies.
In addition, it is also necessary to consult the doctor when the diarrhea seizures do not disappear spontaneously in approximately 5 days.
See too:
- Signs of dehydration in children
- What can cause changes in baby's stool
