How to Treat Baby Diarrhea

Diarrhea in babies is identified by a sudden increase in loose bowel movements. This condition can range from mild to severe with the infant passing numerous watery or green-colored bowel movements. Diarrhea is usually a symptom of stomach or intestinal viruses, bacteria or parasites, although food allergies or too much fruit juice may be the culprit. Because the primary concern regarding diarrhea is dehydration, the primary purpose for treating this condition is to prevent dehydration.

Instructions

Breast-fed babies

1

Determine whether the baby actually has diarrhea. Breast-fed babies have frequent bowel movements, so frequency of bowel movements is not a good clue. Breast-fed babies may normally pass green-colored or watery bowel movements. Unless there is blood or mucus in the bowel movement, or there is an uncharacteristic bad odor, the bowel movement of a breast-fed baby should be considered normal. If the baby experiences a sudden increase in the number of bowel movements, particularly if this is accompanied by poor feeding or fever, it is likely diarrhea.

2

Determine whether the mother's diet or medications that the mother may be taking is having an effect on the baby. Eliminate suspicious foods from the mother's diet and observe the baby to see if this action has any positive effect. Contact the mother's health care provider or pharmacist to discuss whether any medications she is taking can pass through breast milk and cause diarrhea in the baby. If so, consider whether there may be a different medication that can be substituted.

3

Continue breast feeding but with greater frequency. For severe diarrhea consult the baby's physician regarding supplementing with an infant electrolyte solution. For babies older than four months adding starchy baby cereal or other solids such as strained banana carrots to their diet may help.

4

Wash your hands carefully after changing each diaper. Diarrhea is extremely contagious and can rapidly spread through the rest of the family.

Formula-fed babies

5

Determine that the baby has diarrhea. In formula-fed infants a sudden increase in frequency along with appearance is the primary determining factor. Severe diarrhea will also typically be accompanied by a reduction in urine or urine that is darker in color than normal.

6

Keep the baby hydrated. For the first four to six hours give the baby only an oral glucose-electrolyte solution to drink, then return the baby to her regular formula. Offer feedings more frequently than normal. Do not restrict the amount of fluids the baby drinks, however you should not offer the baby fruit juice as this can make diarrhea worse.

7

For babies older than four months adding starchy baby cereal or other solids such as strained banana or strained carrots to their diet may help. If the diarrhea persists consider changing to a lactose-free or soy-based formula for several days.

8

Wash your hands carefully after changing each diaper. Diarrhea is extremely contagious and can rapidly spread through the rest of the family.