About Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines, characterised by vomiting and diarrhoea. In babies this can quickly lead to dehydration.

In children over two, this is termed as food poisoning.

Why babies are at risk.

A baby's immune system is weak because it cannot create disease fighting cells (immunoglobulins - IgA).

Up to three months, breast fed babies can only derive IgA from maternal milk.

Up to six months, babies have virtually no ability to create IgA.

Between six and twelve months, the levels of IgA build slowly but still have limited defensive value.

The importance of sterilising graph

Gastroenteritis is caused by bacteria, viruses or their toxins.

The following are most likely to affect babies:

Rotavirus
Campylobacter
Salmonella
E Coli
Shigella
Listeria

How is it passed on to baby:

Most commonly, through poor hand washing and contaminated feeding utensils.

How to advise parents to reduce the risk:

Sterilise all feeding utensils until baby is one year (Milton Sterilising Fluid or Tablets will kill food poisoning bacteria very quickly).
Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling nappies, going to the toilet and before feeding baby.
Avoid leaving weaning foods at room temperature.
Ensure refrigerator temperatures are maintained correctly.
Ensure kitchen surfaces are cleaned after preparation of raw foods.
Sterilise breast pump parts if mothers are breastfeeding.

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