Increasing the amount of fluids your child drinks and making changes to her diet are two key ways to treat diarrhea at home. This will help to prevent your child from becoming dehydrated and malnourished as she recovers from the diarrhea. Making adjustments to your child’s eating schedule can also make it more appealing for her to eat when she has diarrhea.
Some sources recommend giving your child fluids first and then giving her solid food. You can try to get your child to drink several glasses of water before and after her small meals to keep her hydrated. [3] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
For example, if your child likes chicken, then you can make chicken noodle soup. The soup should be easy for your child to eat with a sore stomach and give her the necessary nutrients to stay nourished despite her diarrhea.
Some children can experience a bout of diarrhea once they return to their regular diet. This is usually due to your child’s gut getting used to regular food again. This type of diarrhea does not last very long and is not the same as diarrhea due to an illness or infection. After a day or so, the diarrhea should go away and your child should be okay with eating her regular diet.
Avoid giving your child fruit juices like apple juice or any other full fruit juice. Fruit juices can make her diarrhea worse. However, if your child is not a fan of plain water, you can add a splash of juice to the water to give it a bit of flavor. Do not give your child any carbonated drinks or drinks that contain caffeine, such as soda or caffeinated teas. These can also make diarrhea worse. [6] X Research source If your child has issues with dairy products or if your child’s diarrhea seems worse after she consumes dairy, do not give her milk to drink. Instead, give her water mixed with a rehydration solution, such as Rehydralyte and the World Health Organization’s oral rehydration solution. You can also try Pedialyte and Infalyte, which you can get over-the-counter at your local drugstore or supermarket. Older children can also drink sports drinks to rehydrate, such as Gatorade. Always consult your doctor before using any rehydration solutions for infants or children under 1 year old. [7] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source
Baked or broiled meats, such as beef, pork, chicken, fish, or turkey. Boiled eggs. Toasted slices of white bread. Plain pasta with cheese or white rice. Cereals like cream of wheat, oatmeal, and cornflakes. Pancakes and waffles made with white flour. Baked potatoes or mashed potatoes. Some cooked vegetables, steamed or sautéed in light oil, such as carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, and green beans. Avoid squash, broccoli, peppers, beans, peas, berries, prunes, leafy green vegetables, and corn, as they can trigger bowel movements, bloating, and gas. Bananas and fresh fruits like apples, pears, and peaches.
Put out bowls of salty snacks for your child to munch on throughout the day, as this will likely encourage her to eat. Make sure she is consuming water with the salty snacks to balance out her sodium levels and prevent dehydration.
Jello made of fruit can also be a good way to ensure your child gets enough fiber in her diet. The fiber will help her stools to become more solid and absorb some of the water in her digestive system.
Choose a low-fat, low-sugar yogurt. Too much fat or sugar can make your child’s diarrhea worse. Try blending yogurt with fruit to make a smoothie. If your child is not fond of yogurt, then she may be more likely to eat a smoothie that contains yogurt. Try mixing half of a cup of yogurt with a banana and a handful of frozen berries. You can also add a half cup to a cup of water to give your child some extra fluids.
Do not give your child foods that are hard to digest, such as sausage, pastries, donuts, and other processed foods high in sugar and fat.
You should also note if your child is experiencing other severe symptoms in addition to her diarrhea, such as vomiting, abdominal cramping, nausea, stomach pain, or a high fever. Take her to a doctor if she is experiencing these symptoms.
You probably will not have to bring your child in unless there is blood in her stool or the diarrhea is severe.
A dry and sticky mouth. No urination in six to eight hours, or less than three times in 24 hours. No tears when crying. Eyes that appear sunken. Decreased activity. Weight loss.
Most antidiarrheal medications are not recommended for children. The doctor will likely avoid prescribing them for your child’s diarrhea. Instead, she may suggest over-the-counter medications for diarrhea that are made for children. For example, your doctor may recommend treatment with probiotics to help your child’s diarrhea. Your doctor may refer your child to a gastroenterologist, a specialist in stomach and intestine problems, if the diarrhea is long-lasting or associated with other symptoms.
