What Should I Do If My Baby Has Digestive Issues with Breastfeeding?

When an infant experiences indigestion from breastfeeding, it is necessary to reduce the amount of breast milk consumed, and to rule out the possibility of indigestion or other conditions. If necessary, medical attention should be sought. Prolonged indigestion of breast milk can easily lead to symptoms such as diarrhea and bloating in infants, and in severe cases, can result in malnutrition. When this occurs, parents must take timely and correct measures to address the situation.

1. Reduce the Amount of Breast Milk: If an infant experiences symptoms such as indigestion or diarrhea, breastfeeding should be promptly discontinued and the infant should be put on a fasting diet.

2. Rule Out the Cause: New mothers often have limited experience with their baby's bodily manifestations. Therefore, when a child experiences indigestion, they may initially suspect that there is a problem with their breast milk. However, this may be due to viral or bacterial infections, so breastfeeding is not necessarily the issue.

3. Moderate Diet: If a child experiences indigestion, they may have severe diarrhea with watery stool. During this time, the baby's intestines and stomach need some rest, and breastfeeding should be limited to around 10 hours per day.

4. Seek Prompt Medical Attention: Mothers should observe the frequency and nature of their baby's bowel movements, noting whether there is excessive or little water content, and whether the extremities are cold. These symptoms can help determine whether the baby is dehydrated and the severity of the dehydration. If dehydration is evident, especially if accompanied by vomiting or difficulty eating and drinking, immediate medical attention and intravenous fluids should be sought.