What are the fastest ways to stop diarrhea for babies?

When a baby is sick, it is a particularly worrying thing for parents. Especially when the baby has diarrhea, cries incessantly, and is unwilling to eat. Generally, baby diarrhea is a common acute intestinal disease, with vomiting and diarrhea as the main symptoms. In severe cases, dehydration and hypoglycemia may occur. As parents, we must pay special attention to the baby's physical condition, especially during seasonal changes. In cold seasons, we must pay more attention to keeping the baby warm.

How to treat diarrhea in children

There are currently some problems in the treatment of diarrhea, such as long-term fasting, excessive reliance on "antidiarrhea" drugs, excessive use of intravenous rehydration, and irrational use of antibiotics.

If the diarrhea is caused by a virus, it will generally recover on its own after 7-10 days and does not require antiviral drug treatment.

Certain bacterial diarrhea requires targeted use of antibiotics and a full course of treatment.

During the acute phase of diarrhea, varying degrees of dehydration are likely to occur, and fluid replacement therapy is required. For mild to moderate dehydration, the third-generation oral rehydration salts with relatively low osmotic pressure are recommended. They are available in the form of oral solution and effervescent tablets, and the dosage should be replenished as needed. Oral rehydration salts can also prevent dehydration due to diarrhea.

If you are severely dehydrated, you may need to go to the hospital for intravenous rehydration

In addition to rehydration salts, commonly used symptomatic treatment drugs include zinc preparations, intestinal mucosal protectants, antisecretory agents, and probiotics that help restore intestinal microecology.

Do I need to stop breastfeeding if I have diarrhea?

Breast milk is the best food for babies. It contains beneficial substances that protect against intestinal infections, so it is not recommended to stop breastfeeding easily during diarrhea.

During the period when the baby has diarrhea, the breastfeeding mother should eat a lighter diet and avoid certain foods appropriately.

If diarrhea does not improve during breastfeeding, and the baby's stool smells sour, and a check-up at the hospital indicates lactose intolerance, certain interventions will be needed. Those who continue to breastfeed can give their babies lactase to help digest and absorb breast milk. If your baby is formula-fed, you can give him/her formula with no or low lactose content to help him/her through acute diarrhea.

How to care for a baby with diarrhea

During the diarrhea period, babies should pay attention to their diet and avoid feeding them vegetables, fruits and high-sugar foods containing crude fiber.

Most cases of diarrhea are caused by food ingestion, so baby's hand hygiene is very important. Wash hands before meals, after defecation, and after going out.

In addition, cross infection between children and between parents and children should be prevented.

You can keep some common medicines such as oral rehydration salts, mucosal protectants and probiotics at home.

If your baby has severe diarrhea and shows signs of dehydration such as oliguria, no tears when crying, dry and poor skin elasticity, and pale complexion, you need to go to the hospital for treatment immediately.

9-word secret to treat diarrhea

The nine secrets to treating diarrhea in children are "water first, adequate nutrition, and appropriate medicine."

Be sure to drink water and never become dehydrated. Try to take it orally, followed by intravenous infusion.

During diarrhea, you need adequate nutrition, you cannot fast deliberately, and drinking only porridge is not enough.

Drugs need to be used in combination, and intestinal mucosal protectants, probiotics, zinc supplements, lactase, etc. need to be used rationally based on symptoms.