Breast milk is best for your baby

Breast milk is best for babies. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Health Promotion Board (HPB) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding or other food and drinks will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. At around six months of age (but not before 4 months), infants should receive nutritionally adequate and age-appropriate complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Consult your doctor before deciding to use infant formula or if you have difficulty breastfeeding.

Abbott Singapore fully recognises breast milk’s primacy, value and superiority and supports exclusive breastfeeding as recommended by the WHO.

The content on this website is intended as general information for Singaporean residents only and should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice from your healthcare practitioner. The HPB recommends that infants start on age-appropriate complementary foods at around 6 months, whilst continuing breastfeeding for up to 2 years or beyond to meet their evolving nutritional requirements. If no longer breastfeeding, toddlers can switch to full cream milk after 12 months. This should be complemented by a good variety of solid foods from the four main food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and alternatives). For more information on the nutritional requirements of infants and young children, please visit www.healthhub.sg/earlynutrition.

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NEWBORN & BABIES

Diarrhea And Constipation: Your Little One Might Have A Bug

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Your baby’s feelings of discomfort might depend on whether her digestive system is okay. That said, infant stool varies from baby to baby, day to day. Stool can be yellow, green, or brown, with consistency from applesauce to play dough, and still be considered normal.

We can help you recognize the symptoms of diarrhea and constipation, and learn how you can help her feel better.

Baby diarrhea

When your baby’s stool suddenly becomes softer and more frequent, she might have diarrhea caused by an infection, or an inability to properly digest certain nutrients in her food.

When should you sound the alarm?

If the diarrhea becomes excessive in frequency or volume, or if you notice any of the following symptoms, call your pediatrician or healthcare professional:

  • Blood or mucus in stools
  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Irritability
  • Refusal to eat
  • Decreased or dark-colored urine
  • Decreased activity

What treatment should you try?

If her diarrhea continues or worsens, talk to your healthcare professional.

Baby constipation

Several factors can lead to your baby becoming constipated, having difficulty passing stool, passing stool that is hard and dry, or having bowel movements less frequently than usual:

Eating solid foods for the first time

It’s possible that some of the foods you feed your baby for the first time — such as rice cereal and oatmeal — don’t provide enough fiber to promote regular poops.

Dehydration

Her body, when not properly hydrated, absorbs fluids from whatever she eats and drinks, including fluid from waste.

Illness or other medical conditions

Some babies develop diseases or have underlying medical conditions that result in chronic constipation. Check with your doctor if your baby has difficulty passing stools.

What can you do to ease your baby's constipation?

Exercise her legs to break up the hardened stools in her bowels, or gently massage her stomach if symptoms continue.

Do not give your baby over-the-counter stool softeners unless advised by your pediatrician or healthcare professional.