Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the sudden increase in frequency and looseness of the stool. Mild diarrhea is considered loose or mushy stool and sever is many watery stools. The cause is usually viral gastroenteritis which is a viral infection of the stomach and intestines. The expected course of viral diarrhea is 5-7 days. Always worse on days one and two. Important considerations when your child has diarrhea is to watch for dehydration. Some signs and symptoms of dehydration include: no wet diaper in eight hours, no tears with crying and very dry mouth. 

Reasons to Have Child Seen

We would want your child to be seen immediately if he or she is very weak, limp or unresponsive. Depending upon the situation we may want you to call 911. Reasons to seek medical assistance:

• Beginning signs of dehydration appear
• Blood in stool 
• Fever greater than 105° F (40.5° C) if child is over 12 weeks of age
• Fever greater than 100.4 F (38° C) if child is under 12 weeks of age
• Abdominal pain lasting more than 2 hours unless pain clears with the passage of stool 
• Very watery diarrhea and vomiting clear liquids three or more times
• Less than 1 month of age and more than three stools
• Less than 12 months with greater than eight diarreha stools in last 8 hours 
• Any concerns you may have for your child

Home Care for Your child with Diarrhea

Mild

• For mild diarrhea modify diet to consist of low fat, low sugar with increased starch intake
• Drink more fluids
• Avoid all fruit juices and soft drinks because the sugar will make the diarrhea worse

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Formula-Fed Infants

• Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) such as Pedialtye, a special electrolyte solution, can help prevent dehydration
• Use ORS alone for 4-6 hours to help prevent dehydration. Offer unlimited amounts
• Use regular formula until Pedialyte is obtained
• Avoid Jello, water, or sports drinks due to inadequate amounts of sodium and fruit juice due to excess of sugar

Return to Formula

• After six hours of ORS because your child needs the calories
• Use full strength formula
• Offer formula more frequently
• Regular formula is fine for most diarrhea. Lactose-free formulas (Lactofree or soy formula) are sometimes needed for watery diarrhea lasting more than three days
• Extra ORS: Give additional 2-4 ounces of ORS for every large watery stool
• Solids: If greater than 4 months of age, may continue solids such as rice cereal, bananas, mashed potatoes or other starchy foods.

Breastfed Infants with Frequent Watery Stools

• Continue breastfeeding at more frequent intervals. Add solids as above.
• Offer Extra ORS after every large watery stool

Older Children (>1 year old) with Frequent Watery Diarrhea

• ​Offer unlimited fluids: If continues to take solids, give 1/4 strength Kool-Aid or 1/2 strength Gatorade
• Avoid all fruit juices and soft drinks
• ORS is rarely needed unless severe diarrhea. If severe diarrhea give 4-8 ounces of ORS for every large watery stool.
• Solids: Continue solids especially starchy foods which are absorbed the best along with a modified diet low in sugar and fat. Good foods include: dried cereal; oatmeal; bread; crackers; noodles; mashed potatoes; rice; carrots; applesauce and bananas. Yogurt: If over 12 months of age, 2-6 ounces of active yogurt twice a day can help restore healthy bacteria in the GI tract. 

Do Not give anti-diarrheal agents without doctors' advice!

If you have any conerns about your baby's health, please call. This Website is meant to be a guideline, not a substitute for the care of a competent helath care provider. Please do not give any medicines without talking to your doctor first. We are happy to help you in any way we can. 

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