How to Treat a Child's Diarrhea

Diarrhea is unpleasant and embarrassing for children; it can also cause severe dehydration or signal other health problems. Treatment is fairly straightforward, though ' just follow these instructions and give your child lots of extra hugs, too.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bananas
• Saltine Crackers
• Electrolyte Replacement Drinks
• Bananas

1. Try to determine the cause of the diarrhea. Could your child have food poisoning or stomach flu? Could he be reacting to a new food in his diet?

2. Act quickly to prevent dehydration. If your child is a breast-fed baby or toddler, nurse him as often as possible and remove all other foods from his diet for a few hours.

3. Offer an oral electrolyte solution to prevent dehydration for an older child or non-nursing baby or toddler, and avoid other foods for a few hours.

4. Offer your child an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication if necessary. Ask the doctor or pharmacist about medications that are safe to give your child.

5. Give your child something to eat about eight hours after you begin treatment. Stick to bland foods until he's feeling better.

Tips & Warnings

• Electrolyte solutions can easily be made into ice chips or Popsicles for children to suck on. This is often an easier way to get the liquid inside your child than simply asking him to drink large quantities of it.
• If there is blood in your child's diarrhea, or if he seems severely dehydrated, call the doctor immediately.
• If your child's diarrhea lasts for more than a day or two, call the doctor and find out if you should bring him in to be checked over.
• Keep your child home from day care, preschool, or school until he's feeling better, especially if you suspect he may be contagious.

Who Can Help:

• Overweight? Lose 30+ lbs without pills or diets- guaranteed
• Arthroscopic Alternative to Spine Surgery- For Back & Neck - Free MRI Review by our Doctors. Get your life back!
• Do you suffer from back pain? Learn more about our Medicare approved back support system. Medicare covers 85% of the cost.