For those who've been on a while, this is a repost, so you may want to skip it: Breast milk is considered a clear fluid by some, but not by others. The current recommendation from the NEW Breastfeeding Answer Book p. 283 is as follows: "It was once standard advice to wean the baby temporarily when he is vomiting or has diarrhea and instead give an oral electrolyte solution, sold under the brand name of Pedialyte int he US, or Oral rehydration therapy (ORT). But studies have found that temporary weaning offers NO benefits for the bf baby (Brown, 1991). Human milk--UNLIKE formula and other milk products that are best avoided while the baby has diarrhea--IS A NATURAL FLUID THAT IS EASILY AND RAPIDLY DIGESTED (Ewer1994). In 1985, the Armerican Academy of PEdiatrics changed its guidelines by recommending the bf baby continue to nurse freely during acute cases of diarrhea and to alternate nursings with ORT solution (Mauer, 1985). Research has shown that continuing to breastfeed significantly reduces the duration and severity of acute diarrhea as compared to formula feeding (Haffejee 1990) and that discontinuing bf during a diarrheal illness DOUBLES the risk of a baby becoming sicker and DYING (Mahalanabis 1991; Clemens 1988)." Brown, K "Dietary Management of acute childhood diarrhea: optimal timing of feeding and appropriate use of milks and mixed diets." J. of Ped. 1991; 118(4) pt 2: S92. Ewer, A. et al. "Gastric emptying in preterm infants" Arch Dis Child 1994; 71: F24 Clemens, J. et al. "Discontinuation of bf during episodes of diarrhoea in rural Bangladesh children." Trans Royal Soc Trop Med Hygiene 19988; 82: 779. Mahalanabis, D. et al. "PRognostic indicators and risk factors for increased duration of acute diarrhoea and for persistent diarrhoea in children." Int. J. Epidemiol 1991; 20: 1064. Mauer et al. "American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition: Use of ORT and Post-treatment feeding following enteritis in children in a developed country." Pediatrics 1985; 75: 359. Chris : )Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC email: [log in to unmask] : ) : )HSR & Health Educational Consultant voice/fax: 541 753 7340 : ) : ) **CHANGE THE WORLD, NURTURE A CHILD!** : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : )