How to prevent diarrhea in babies

 Babies have a weak immune system so it is important to protect them from this trenching sun and dry weather. Diarrhoea is very common in babies during this weather and every mother has to deal with it. As your little one begins to explore food, his digestion gets used to it. This may increase the number of poops. But too many or too runny poops can lead to water loss in babies. In this article, we are going to tell you the causes of diarrhoea in babies, how you can deal with it and when to call a paediatrician.

Causes of Diarrhea in Babies Diarrhea in babies can be caused by n number of reasons. And the best thing is, it usually goes away on its own. But sometimes, diarrhoea can indicate a more serious problem that needs proper treatment. Usually, infants who are on mother’s milk have less diarrhoea, as compared to those on formula feed. But that doesn’t mean that breastfed babies will never suffer from runny poops. There are plenty of other reasons that may cause diarrhoea in breastfed or formula-fed babies.

Some of them are:

1. Change in your diet: If you are a breastfeeding mom, your baby’s diet is all dependent on yours. Having heavy meals such as fast food, sugary desserts, or spicy food may trigger diarrhoea in your baby. This may also cause stomach pain or colic in the baby’s tummy. So keep a watch over your diet.

2. Medicines: Certain medications like antibiotics or paracetamol may also be one of the reasons. If you are taking these, it may pass in your breast milk and the baby may have runny stools. If you are breastfeeding, everything you eat will have a direct impact on your little one’s tummy.

3. Stomach Bug: If you notice that your baby is having diarrhoea, it may due to a stomach bug. It is very common and usually resolves on its own. Your baby may also have vomiting or a raised temperature.

4. Baby Medicines: Sometimes, if your little one is on antibiotics due to bacterial infections, fever or cold he may have loose bowel movements.

5. Starting Solids: If your baby just reached 6 months of age and started taking a solid diet, his little tummy is likely to suffer a digestion issue. Your little one will take time to adjust to the whole new solid diet. Some other causes of Diarrhea in babies are

● Milk Allergies

● Serious large bowl infections

● C. difficile infection ● Cystic Fibrosis Treating Diarrhea at Home You can not ignore diarrhoea especially when your baby is having a lot of it. But you can surely treat it and make your baby more comfortable. Some of the treatments are

● Keep your baby well hydrated

● Ask pediatrician to give electrolyte drink to the baby

● If your baby has started taking solids offer him foods like cereals, bananas, curd, or crackers. When to Ring Pediatrician You should not wait and take immediate action if your baby has the following symptoms:

● More than 10 watery poops in a day

● White or red poop

● Bouts of vomiting

● High-grade fever

● Sunken eyes

● Dry mouth and lips

● Not feeding

● Sleepiness and floppiness

● Dry diapers for more than 8 hours