Feeding Recommendations for a Child Who Has Persistent Diarrhoea

  • If still breastfeeding, give more frequent, longer breastfeeds, day and night.
  • If taking other milk:
    • replace with increased breastfeeding OR,
    • replace with fermented milk products, such as yoghurt OR,
    • replace half the milk with nutrient-rich semi-solid food.
  • For other foods, follow feeding recommendations for the child's age.

Counsel the Mother About Feeding Problems

  • If the child is not being fed as described in the above recommendations, counsel the mother accordingly.
  • If the mother reports difficulty with breastfeeding, assess breastfeeding.
  • As needed, show the mother correct positioning and attachment for breastfeeding and encourage her.
  • If the child is less than six months old and is taking other milk or foods:
    • Build mother's confidence that she can produce all the breast milk that the child needs.
    • Suggest giving more frequent, longer breastfeeds, day or night, and gradually reducing other milk or foods.
    • If other milk needs to be continued, counsel the mother to:
      • Breastfeed as much as possible, including at night.
      • Make sure that another milk is a locally appropriate breast milk substitute.
      • Make sure other milk is correctly and hygienically prepared and given in adequate amounts.
      • Finish prepared milk within an hour.

If the child is being given diluted milk or muk (gruel):

  • Do not dilute the milk.
  • Remind the mother that thick foods, which are dense in energy and nutrients, are needed by infants and young children.

If the mother is using a bottle to feed the child:

  • Recommend substituting a cup for a bottle.
  • Show the mother how to feed the child with a cup (senee or finjal).

If the child is not being fed actively, counsel the mother to:

  • Sit with the child and encourage eating.
  • Give the child an adequate serving on a separate plate or bowl.

If the child is not feeding well during illness, counsel the mother to:

  • Breastfeed more frequently and for longer if possible.
  • Use soft, varied, appetising, favourite foods to encourage the child to eat as much as possible, and offer small frequent feedings.
  • Clear a blocked nose if it interferes with feeding.
  • Expect that appetite will improve as the child gets better.

If the mother is not giving Vitamin A-rich foods:

  • Encourage her to provide vitamin A-rich foods frequently - gommen, liver, carrot, egg

If the mother is not giving the young child a share of meat, chicken or fish when these are eaten by the family:

  • Explain young child needs them and encourage her to provide whenever they are available in the household.

Follow-up any feeding problem in 5 days.

Last modified: Wednesday, 1 March 2017, 2:01 AM