What can you do if your baby has watery stools?
By Health Promotion Board in collaboration with Dr. Yvonne Ng, Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology, National University Hospital.
If your baby is pooping more often, and if his stools are more watery than usual, he might be having diarrhoea.
Diarrhoea usually lasts 2 to 4 days. Occasionally, it may last 1 to 2 weeks. Your little one may also have a fever, stomach pain, poor appetite, and vomiting.
Stay hydrated! Diarrhoea can lead to dehydration. This occurs when your baby has not drunk enough fluids to replace the loss from diarrhoea and vomiting. It is very important to continue feeding your baby with small and frequent breast milk/formula throughout the day.
Your doctor may prescribe oral rehydration solutions to replace water and salts lost, and medications to reduce your baby's diarrhoea episodes.
Do not self-medicate your baby with anti-diarrhoea medicine, unless it has been prescribed by a doctor. The majority of children with gastroenteritis do not need any medication.
Related: Viral Gastroenteritis
Bring your baby to your paediatrician immediately if you see the following signs:
- Avoid giving baby milk that has sit in room temperature for more than 2 hours
- Avoid reheating milk bottle that is half consumed- Boil/steam baby bottles frequently
Ask your doctor about preventing diarrhoea for your child.- Raw chicken, eggs, and fish are known to cause diarrhoea.
Visit Parent Hub, for more useful tips and guides to give your baby a healthy start.
Download the HealthHub app on Google Play or Apple Store to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips.
This article was last reviewed on 21 Dec 2022
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