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.