Should we advise mothers to continue to feed a child who has diarrhoea?
Continue to feed the child, to prevent malnutrition Feeding should be continued during diarrhoea and increased afterwards. Food should never be withheld and the child’s usual foods should not be diluted. Breastfeeding should always be continued. The aim is to give as much nutrient-rich food as the child will accept. Most children with watery diarrhoea regain their appetite after dehydration is corrected, whereas those with bloody diarrhoea often eat poorly until the illness resolves. When food is given, sufficient nutrients are usually absorbed to support continued growth and weight gain. Continued feeding also speeds the recovery of normal intestinal function, including the ability to digest and absorb various nutrients. In contrast, children whose food is restricted or diluted lose weight, have diarrhoea of longer duration, and recover intestinal function more slowly. What foods to give This depends on the child’s age, food preferences and pre-illness feeding pattern; cultural practi
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