In newborns, the ring of muscle between the esophagus and the stomach – the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) – is not fully matured. Hence, they will get gastroesophageal reflux easily. When your baby is drinking milk, they may swallow air into his/her stomach. If the air does not clear totally, he/she may spit out some milk when he/she burps or have hiccups. These are the common reasons for milk spills. If your baby spits out yellow, green bile or he/she is not gaining weight, you should speak with your healthcare professional.

Generally, your baby should have one to three bowel movements a day. You should observe the shape, color, smell and amount of the stools to help prevent gastrointestinal disease. Most newborns will have bowel movements while drinking milk. This is a natural reflex called the gastrocolic reflex. Often because the stools are watery, your baby may fart and make bowel movements at the same time, hence increased bowel movements. As long as your baby eats normally, is active and gains weight, there is no need to worry.

Treating Children with Diarrhoea at Home

Children less than 12 months old

Breastfed babies: Continue breastfeeding and feed more often.

Formula-fed babies:

• Continue feeding your baby with his formula milk.
• If diarrhoea persists for more than 10 days, you may consider switching to soy formula or lactose-free formula milk.
• Do not feed your baby water only.
• If your child is persistently vomiting, take him for a doctor's consultation.

Children more than 12 months old

• Stop solids and offer fluids to your child.

• Ensure that your child continues to take sufficient fluids.
• If your child is not vomiting, ensure hydration by increasing his fluid intake. You may use oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte or Hydralyte. These solutions are best served cold and may even be frozen to "ice sticks". Alternatively, you may use rice water or barley water. Fruit juice should be diluted with one cup of fruit juice to four cups of water.
• When the nature and frequency of the stools improve, you can slowly reintroduce your child to normal feeds.
• If your child is vomiting, you can give him a trial of small but frequent clear feeds. For example, you may start with 10ml of fluid every 10 to 15 minutes for one hour. If he can tolerate this, you can increase the volume by 10ml each subsequent hour.

If your baby is having the following symptoms, please bring him/her to the doctor as soon as possible:

• Loss of appetite
• Passing watery stools for a couple of times within 1 to 2 hours. Diapers need to be changed multiple times.
• Frequent vomiting
• Fever
• Feeling very thirsty
• Blood is found on diapers
• Abnormal anxiety
• Eye sockets or fontanel sunken with a dry mouth
• Persistent diarrhoea for over 24 hours

Reference: HealthHub