1. What makes a loose bowel?

1. (1) Frequency of fecal discharge increased noticeably;
   (2) Fecal discharge looks pasty or gruelly;
   (3) Fecal discharge turns green with a sour, stale smell.

※ Normal excrement
From babies fed on mother’s milk: more often, 3 to 4 times a day, yellow-green, pasty;From babies fed on cow milk: less often, approx. 1~2 times a day, yellowish, well-formed.

2. Why will a nursling have a loose bowel?
There can be more than just one single reason to this outcome, it could be due to gastroenteritis owing to infection, ingestion of unclean food and water, insufficient nurser sterilization, inappropriate milk concentration, excess diet or nervousness.

3. What symptoms will accompany a baby undergoing a loose bowel?

1. Mild diarrhea: fecal discharge 5 to 8 times a day, that accompanied with petty fever or vomiting;
2. Moderate diarrhea: fecal discharge 8~15 times a day, with sour and stale smell, and that may be complicated with moderate fever;
3. Severe diarrhea: fecal discharge more than 15 times a day, with vestige of bloody mucus, vestibule sunk, restive, skin and mouth dried.

4. Prevention and treatment:

1. Wash both hands with a soap as often as possible and make this a habit, that will help build a wholesome health regime.
2. Be mindful about nurser sterilization and the correct procedure of preparing cow milk to feed the youngling.
3. Disposition in case of mild diarrhea:
   a. Lay fasting for 6~8 hours, then supplement some water or sports drink;
   b. Lay fasting for 8 hours, then feed light toned soft food, like plain gruel or toast;
   c. Babies fed with cow milk may expect the milk concentration diluted by half, what is normally one spoonful that goes with 60 cc of boiling water may switch to 1/2 spoonful that goes with 60 cc of boiling water;
   d. When the fecal condition is improved, resume in a slowbeat the regular feeding scheme.
4. Moderate diarrhea:
   a. Lay fasting for 1/2 to 1 day, supplement water or sports drink in the meantime instead;
   b. One day later feed rice gravy for the breast-fed, for the cow milk fed nurslings feed cow milk with concentration diluted by half, and observe the fecal condition, once fecal condition is improved resume in a slowbeat the habitual concentration;
   c. If your baby lack appetite or is struck with dehydration, restlessness or with a fever, send to see a doctor in a hospital without delay.
5. In the event of severs diarrhea the baby must be taken to the hospital for treatment.
6. Be careful about the treatment of excrements and the laundry, lest contagion to other people might spread.
7. Effect replacement of diapers as often as possible, wash with tepid water after each round of fecal discharge, maintain the hips clean and dry lest red hips should develop.
8. Remember to bring along the fecal discharge that was left the last time for doctor’s review when going to the hospital for clinic call, to assist in the diagnosis.