Diarrhea

Diarrhea

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is an increase in the amount of stools your child normally has. The stools are very watery, not just loose. Diarrhea can be caused by infections, some medicines, too much juice or sometimes, food allergies. Diarrhea can occur alone or with vomiting, colds or other illnesses. Very frequent diarrhea can cause dehydration which is a serious condition.

What causes dehydration?

Your baby loses water each time he/she has diarrhea. Also, when your little one has diarrhea, he/she may not feel like eating or drinking, drying him/her out even more. Your baby can then become dehydrated, or dangerously low on body fluids.

Signs that your child may be dehydrated:

	The soft spot on your baby's head is sunken
	Your baby has less than 6 wet diapers in a day, or your toilet trained child has not urinated in over 6 hours
	Your little one is pale
	There are no tears when he/she cries
	Your child's tongue, lips and mouth are dry or sticky
	Your child is very crabby
	Your child isn't smiling or playing and seems very tired
	Your child has a fever

What can I do for diarrhea?

If your little one has diarrhea but does NOT have any signs of dehydration, your child should continue to eat and drink normally. Avoid fatty or spicy foods. If your child is also vomiting, offer only small amounts of liquids and call your health care provider.

Pedialyte® or Infalyte® may be recommended if your child is having very frequent diarrhea or vomiting. You health care provider will tell you how much to give your child.

If your little one is not vomiting, offer plenty of fluids. It is OK to give your baby formula or milk. If your baby is breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed.

DO:

	Keep your child's diaper area as clean and dry as possible. Diarrhea easily causes diaper rash.
	Wash your hands and your child's hands after each diaper change or trip to the bathroom.
	Prepare and store foods with care.

DO NOT:

	Do NOT give your child Gatorade® or other sports drinks, soda pop, juice, Kool-Aid®, Jell-O® or broth instead of Pedialyte® or Infalyte®.
	Do not give your child "adult" medicines to stop the diarrhea such as Kaopectate®, Immodium A-D®, Lomotil® or Pepto-Bismol®.
	Do not give your child Baby Aspirin for fever.

Getting medical help

If your child has diarrhea and does have any of the signs of dehydration listed, call your health care provider right away for advice. Also, call your health care provider if:

	your child is not better in 24 hours
	your child has both vomiting and diarrhea that is increasing in frequency and amount
	vomiting continues for more than 24 hours or is forceful
	there is blood mixed in the diarrhea or vomit
	your child's vomit is streaked with greenish-yellow mucous
	your child is refusing to drink any liquids
	your child has severe abdominal pain
	your child has a fever greater than 102°
	if your baby is less than 12 weeks old

* This information is not a substitute for professional medical care. Diagnosis and treatment should be done only by your health care provider. For more information contact your local health department or physician.