Page 145 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: PROBLEMS IN BABIES 143

Diarrhea and vomiting (babies)

Many babies normally have semiliquid feces, and regurgitate
WARNING
small amounts of milk after a feeding, but diarrhea and vomiting
are more serious. An affected baby passes runny feces more Seek immediate medical help if:
frequently than normal and may vomit whole feedings. The ● Your baby is under 3 months old
● Your baby has blood- or green-
most common cause of prolonged diarrhea and vomiting is
stained vomit; bloody or tarry
gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines), stools; sunken eyes; dry mouth and
which mainly affects bottle-fed babies. Although it usually clears tongue; dry diapers; or is drowsy
up quickly, there is a risk of your baby becoming dehydrated.

See also Feeding problems, pp.144–145.

What you can do yourself
DRUG REMEDIES
There are several steps you can take to relieve
mild diarrhea and vomiting. The main risk is Oral rehydration solutions (see
dehydration, so it is important to replace lost fluids. p.188), available from your pharmacist, are designed
to replace water, sugar, and salts lost from diarrhea
● If you are breast-feeding, don’t stop. Offer your
and vomiting and to prevent dehydration. They are
baby more frequent feedings. If diarrhea worsens, available as ready-to-use bottled solutions and come
give your baby an oral rehydration preparation in several different flavors. Use the solution within
after each feeding (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). 48 hours of opening.
● If bottle-feeding, continue full-strength feedings Rehydration
but give smaller amounts more frequently. Offer an Give your baby
oral rehydration solution (see DRUG REMEDIES, right) rehydration solutions
instead of feedings if your baby refuses formula, or in a bottle to help
as well as feedings if diarrhea worsens. Increase prevent dehydration.
fluids gradually; too much may encourage vomiting.
● If your baby is taking solids, keep to a normal diet
if he or she feels like eating. If your baby has no
appetite or continues to vomit, the most important
thing is to keep giving fluids. When your baby feels
like eating again, offer small amounts of bland PREVENTION
foods such as apple purée, mashed banana, and
mashed potatoes. Gradually build up the quantities Be scrupulous about hygiene
and variety as your baby improves, returning to a This will help prevent your baby from getting
normal diet as soon as he or she can tolerate it. gastroenteritis or, if he or she has the infection, will
stop it from being passed to other family members.
● Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
before and after handling or feeding your baby; before
Seek further medical advice
handling food or eating; and after using the toilet.
Arrange to see your doctor if: Make sure everyone in the family does the same.
● Use separate towels and washcloths for your baby
● Your baby’s condition is getting worse
if he or she has an infection.
● Your baby is not taking fluids ● Wash your baby’s hands after he or she has been
● He or she has had diarrhea for 24 hours, playing outdoors or handling pets.
or has been vomiting for longer than 3 hours