6 month old with diarrhoea....day 7

[Pepperwand]

Just looking for some advice as I'm a bit at a loss with my 6.5 month old who is currently on day 7 of diarrhoea.

He's having approximately 10 very runny nappies in 24hrs and has been for the past week, he's now also got a very bad nappy rash but other than that is happy in himself, alert and taking feeds as normal.

I've been thinking it's a stomach bug as just before he started with this my eldest son was sent home from nursery with two very runny nappies so seems realted. As he's been taking his milk and seemed happy despite the nappy issues I decided to just let it ride itself out but no sign of it stopping yet and I'm just wondering if there's something else I could be doing?

Spoke to the health visitor on Friday who said she wasn't concerned but could be temporary lactose intolerance and to try him on some soya yoghurt and to call GP if it continues past 10 days. I actually haven't given him any dairy free yoghurt as I didn't see the point if he was still having formula made with cow's milk but since Friday have had him on just formula, banana, apple and baby rice.

Nothing seems to be improving yet and some advice online seems to suggest that babies can get temporary lactose intolerance after a tummy bug and milk can exacerbate the issue.....but what do you do if they're having formula? I could water down his feeds or try him on different formula but just thought I'd see if anyone had experience of similar and what helped?

def sek medical advice

I'm currently waiting for the GP to call me back. It's just worrying when they're so small although he's happy but his poor bum is red raw.

My DD had bad diarrhea for 30 days from 2 months old.
2 days of lactose free milk and diarrhea completely stopped so she had temporary lactose intolerance.
7 days feels horrific but if I were you id wait 10-14 days before cutting lactose just incase it isnt that. (Took me a long time to get her back on normal formula)

I swore by Burts Bees diaper ointment, DD never had nappy rash throughout her 5-8 poops a day for 30 days ordeal.

Id cut back on the fruit a bit as that can contribute to the runs.

Yes I’d go to the GP (would normally say pharmacist but they tend just to send you to the doctors when they’re under 1).

Oat baths will help with the sore bum & either Burts Bees as girl suggests or metanium (the yellow tube) along with nappy free time probably best on a washable surface though.

You could try lactose free milk or add colief drops to his existing milk as that breaks down lactose

Thanks everyone, I spoke to the doctor yesterday and she said the same as above....wait until 14 days before looking to change anything with his milk although she did say to avoid feeding him any solids containing dairy or gluten, or anything too acidic. I'm going to get some jars of boring baby food today....I've got a freezer full of meals I've made for him but it's things like fish pie and spaghetti bolognese so will probably lay off those for a while.

Oh and thank you as I gave him an oat bath last night then lay him on a towel naked for about 30 mins.... although he did poo all over it!