What can mum and dad do if your baby's watery stools are a sign of diarrhoea?
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By Health Promotion Board in collaboration with Dr. Yvonne Ng, Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology, National University Hospital.</p><p>Diarrhoea refers to the
<strong>frequent passing of loose and watery stools</strong>. If your baby is pooping more than he usually does, and his stools are more watery and loose than usual, then he might be having a bout of diarrhoea.</p><p>Your little one may also experience fever, abdominal pain, poor appetite, and vomiting. Diarrhoea usually lasts 2 to 4 days. Occasionally, it may last 1 to 2 weeks.</p><p>You may have come across the word “gastroenteritis”; this implies that the diarrhoea is caused by an infection of the intestines by viruses or bacteria.</p><p>Should you be worried about diarrhoea? A major problem with diarrhoea is dehydration. This occurs when your baby has not drunk enough fluids to replace fluid loss from diarrhoea and vomiting.</p><p>
<strong>Related:
<a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/696/common-childhood-conditions-diarrhoea" title="Common Childhood Conditions—Diarrhoea and Constipation">Common Childhood Conditions—Diarrhoea</a></strong></p></div><div><h2>What Should Mum and Dad Do?</h2><p>It is very important to continue feeding your baby and ensuring that he is properly hydrated. Breastfeed/bottle-feed your baby with small and frequent breast milk/formula throughout the day.</p><p>You may also consult the doctor and give your baby special oral fluids (oral rehydration solutions) to replace water and salts lost from diarrhoea.</p><p>Do not give your baby self-bought anti-diarrhoea medicine, unless it has been prescribed by a doctor. The majority of children with gastroenteritis do not need any medication.</p><h3>Causes of diarrhoea</h3><ul><li>
<strong>Viruses</strong> are usually responsible for gastroenteritis, the most common being rotavirus, which can be prevented with a vaccine. </li><li>Rarely, diarrhoea can be caused by
<strong>bacteria</strong> such as salmonella, campylobacter or shigella.</li><li>
<strong>Excessive intake of fruit juice or sweetened drinks</strong></li><li>
<strong>Lactose intolerance</strong>. This is when your baby continues to have watery diarrhea (after recovering from a bout of gastroenteritis) when he drinks milk. The doctor may advise you to switch him to a lactose-free milk. Don’t worry, your little one will recover in a few days, and he will be able to digest lactose and drink milk again.</li></ul><p>
<strong>Related:
<a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/221/viral_gastroenteritis_nuh" title="Viral Gastroenteritis">Viral Gastroenteritis</a></strong></p></div><div><h2>When Should I See the Doctor?</h2><p>Bring your baby to your pediatrician
<strong>immediately</strong> if you see the following signs:
</p><ul><li>Your baby has continuous bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting, and is unable to drink enough fluids</li><li>Dehydration
<ul><li>Dry skin, mouth, and tongue</li><li>Less frequent urination</li><li>Less salivation</li><li>Crying without tears</li><li>Sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on top of baby’s head, if your baby is younger than 18 months)</li></ul></li><li>Signs of underlying disease:
<ul><li>Green vomit</li><li>Stools contain a lot of mucus and blood</li><li>Severe abdominal pain</li><li>Abdomen distension (bloating)</li></ul></li><li>Signs of serious disease:
<ul><li>Lethargy</li><li>Cool hands and feet, clammy skin</li><li>Shallow or laboured breathing</li><li>High fever (38.0 degrees Celsius and above)</li></ul></li></ul><p></p><p>In normal cases, your baby’s diarrhoea will go away on its own; what’s most important is to keep the little one hydrated!</p></div><div><hr /><p>
<strong>Read these next:</strong></p><ul><li>
<a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/693/common-childhood-conditions-fever" title="Common Childhood Conditions—Fever">Common Childhood Conditions—Fever</a></li><li>
<a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/208/colic" title="Colic">Colic</a></li><li>
<a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1715/baby-bonus--what-you-need-to-know" title="Baby Bonus—What You Need to Know">Baby Bonus—What You Need to Know</a></li></ul></div><div><p>
References</p><ol><li>Diarrhoea (Child). Retrieved November 2018 from https://www.singhealth.com.sg/PatientCare/ConditionsAndTreatments/Pages/Diarrhoea-Child.aspx</li></ol></div>
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Tuesday, September 4, 2018
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Q&A: My Baby’s Stools Are Watery, What Should I Do?