Caring for a child with an intestinal infection at home is important because the condition is often long-lasting and prone to recurrence. Here are 4 suggestions for moms to be able to take care of their baby easily and heal faster.
Rehydration and electrolytes
Rehydration of water and electrolytes is the first and most important thing that parents need to pay attention to when caring for children with intestinal infections, because dehydration is the most dangerous complication, which can be fatal for children. Mothers need to assess the degree of dehydration of the child so that appropriate rehydration and electrolyte regimen will be accordingly.
As when a child is dehydrated, with 2 of the following signs:
- Sunken eyes
- Thirsty
- Stimulating, writhe in bed
- After pinching the skin, the distortion disappears very slowly
At this time, the mother needs to give the child rehydration and electrolytes with oral Oresol, 75ml/kg in 4-6 hours. Priority should be given to low osmolality Oresol, mixed according to instructions and then given to the child to drink little by little until the child refuses to drink. If the child vomits continuously > 4 times in 2-4 hours or has many loose stools, it is necessary to give the baby water (TTM Lactate Ringer 75ml/kg for 4 hours) at a health facility.
Children are severely dehydrated, when there are 2 of the following signs:
- Sunken eyes
- Drink little or no water
- After pinching the skin, the distortion disappears very slowly
- Lethargic, hard to wake up…
For children with severe dehydration, mothers need to immediately take the baby to the nearest medical facility to receive fluids and monitor.
For children with no signs of dehydration, mothers should also increase rehydration for the baby at home to prevent the risk, by giving the baby more breast milk or drinking more water. Rehydration should be done from the time the child vomits until the baby’s stools are observed to be better.
Healthy diet
This is also important when caring for a child with an intestinal infection. At this point, let your baby eat all that he wants, but except for foods high in sugar and fat, fast food. Food should be processed into soft, easy-to-digest foods and divided into many small meals throughout the day to make it easier for the baby to eat. Mothers should not give the baby excessive abstinence because it can make the child lack nutrition, the body is not provided with the necessary energy, so it takes a long time to recover.
Besides rehydration and electrolytes, mothers should also give babies more fluids, such as filtered water, coconut water, fruit juices (less and less sugar).
When to take a child to a health facility?
In most cases, parents usually only need to take care of a child with an intestinal infection at home. However, mothers need to take the baby to the doctor when home treatment does not improve or when there are abnormal signs:
- High fever
- Intense thirst
- Lethargy, stop sucking, can’t drink
- Do not urinate for 4-6 hours
- Bloody stools
- More than 3 days stool does not improve
- Severe stomach pain
- Vomiting a lot
How to prevent infectious diarrhea in children?
Infectious diarrhea is often long-lasting, easy to recur if not properly cared for and prevented. Episodes of sick can last up to a month. To limit the pathogens that continue to attack the child, help the child recover faster and prevent recurrence, mom should:
- Always feed the child cooked food, drink boiling water, and limit feeding the child overnight food
- Clean baby bottles
- Limit children’s contact with pets, especially when they are sick
- Keep your child away from swimming pools until the symptoms are completely gone
- Create a habit of washing hands, especially before eating and after using the toilet, for children and all family members
- Clean countertops, doorknobs, and other surfaces that children frequently touch
- Clean children’s toys periodically, at least every 2 weeks
- Give children full vaccinations according to age, especially Rota vaccine
- Prioritize breastfeeding. It was observed that breastfed infants had a significantly lower risk of gastroenteritis than formula-fed infants
In addition, mothers should not arbitrarily use anti-diarrheal drugs and antibiotics for children because they can obscure symptoms, making diagnosis and treatment of doctors more difficult. Children should be kept at home until after 24 hours the child does not vomit, no longer has a fever and the diarrhea has subsided.