How to Stop Infant Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common problem among infants. Viral, bacterial and ear infections are all illnesses that may lead to an infant's loose stools. Diarrhea caused by antibiotic medications and food allergies is also common. A physician should be consulted regarding your infant's condition, but there are also several remedies that can be used at home which will help cease diarrhea. Keeping your infant hydrated and on a proper diet is essential for recovery.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sugar
• Salt
• Rice
• Oat cereal
• Applesauce

1. Keep the infant hydrated. Mix 1/4 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. sugar in a cup of water. Stir and pour into a bottle. Allow the infant to drink the entire bottle of hydration fluid. The sugar and salt will help replenish electrolytes, which aid in digestion and will prevent excessive dehydration.

2. Feed the infant a diet rich in rice and oat cereals. Rice and oat-cereal products help solidify an infant's stool. Feed the infant 1/4 cup of warm oat cereal for breakfast. Follow with 1/4 cup cooked rice at lunch and dinner. Stools will become noticeably firmer.

3. Avoid dairy products. Milk, cheese and other dairy products should be avoided as long as the diarrhea persists. Lactose found in milk products can irritate an infant's bowels and may cause further gas and cramping.

4. Refrain from giving foods that are high in fiber. Foods with a high fiber content may cause bloating, gas and discomfort in infants. Excessive fiber will loosen stool and will create increased diarrhea.

5. Feed the infant applesauce. The pectin found in applesauce aids in binding the stool to make it firm. Feed 1/4 cup of applesauce every four hours until stool begins to harden.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult a physician immediately at the onset of infant diarrhea.

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