What to Feed My Baby to Stop the Runs

Mom feeds baby with spoon

Read time: 5 minutes

What should you lot know most diarrhea in older babies and toddlers?

Learn about the mutual causes of baby and toddler diarrhea
Understand which fluids are best for hydration
Know which foods to emphasize and limit when your child has diarrhea

Who knew that i of the biggest things nosotros would practice as parents is think and talk about poop and then much? We pay close attention to our piddling one's poop blueprint, whether they have three bowel movements per 24-hour interval, go once every three days, or somewhere in between (all of which are completely normal!).

While the blueprint may shift over time, especially as your child transitions to solid food,¹ deviations from their norm tin be both uncomfortable for them and alarming for you, particularly when that alter involves diarrhea.

Acute versus Chronic Diarrhea

Acute diarrhea: When your petty 1 has diarrhea for just a few days (less than 3 weeks)²

Chronic diarrhea: When your fiddling i has on-going diarrhea for longer than 3 weeks²

Signs that your older baby or toddler has diarrhea may include:

A sudden increase in how often your child passes stool
More than 1 stool per feeding
Stools that appear to be less formed and more watery than usual
Urgency: needing to get to the bathroom right away
Abdominal hurting and/or bloating ⁱⁱ ^, ³

What are common causes of infant and toddler diarrhea?

A virus
A change in your infant'due south diet or your diet if y'all're breastfeeding
Antibody utilize past your kid or, if you lot're breastfeeding, by yous
Bacterial food-borne illness, in which example medications may exist needed for treatment (telephone call your child's healthcare provider immediately if y'all suspect nutrient-borne illness)
Lactose intolerance (which could pb to chronic diarrhea) ² ^, ^four

Information technology'southward important to treat your child'south diarrhea promptly, as the most immediate risk for most children is dehydration.⁵ If your kid has diarrhea, exist sure to sentinel for symptoms of dehydrations.

Early symptoms of dehydration in babies and toddlers:

Plays less than usual
Urinates less than usual
no tears while crying
dry, parched mouth⁶

Avant-garde symptoms of aridity in babies and toddlers:

Very fussy or irritable
excessive sleepiness
urine that looks darker and smells stronger than usual, and simply ane to 2 per twenty-four hour period
sunken eyes and fontanels (the soft spots on your baby'due south head)
easily and anxiety that feel cold and await discolored⁶

Read more than: How tin can I tell if my child is adequately hydrated?

What should I do almost my baby or toddler's diarrhea?

Make sure your child gets enough of fluids

A starting time line of home remedies for diarrhea in toddlers and babies is boosted fluids.⁷

Under 12 months: Provide breastmilk and/or formula

Over 12 months: Provide breastmilk, cow'south milk / milk alternative, and water.² ^, ³

If your lilliputian ane seems to become bloated or gassy after drinking cow'southward milk, ask their healthcare provider if it should be avoided.ⁱⁱⁱ

Read more than: Dairy Sensitivity in Babies and Toddlers

Should your child has worsening diarrhea and/or is showing little interest in her usual drinks, try these alternatives while also checking in with her healthcare provider:

Smoothies – try blending assistant, coconut water, and ice or simply melon and h2o (but skip the berries until your child is feeling ameliorate)
Whole fruit-based popsicles – like smoothies, popsicles are some other means for delivering fluids to a kid resistant to drinking

if your child is suffering from prolonged or more than astringent diarrhea, their healthcare provider might recommend a rehydration / electrolyte drink. Be sure to but use commercial prepared pediatric rehydration drinks.ⁱⁱⁱ

Fluids to Avert: Dissimilar pediatric electrolyte drinks; Clot-o, soda / soft drinks, juice, and sports drinks often exercise not accept the right mixture of carbohydrate, salt, and fluids, and may make your little one more ill. ^three ^, ^iv

If juice is the only fluid your kid will drink, try diluting it: 1 ounce of juice to 4 ounces of water.

Emphasize healthy foods

In add-on to hydration, attention to diet can be of import.⁸ While in the past the BRAT diet was recommended, this is no longer considered beneficial.^three Most trivial ones can resume eating a healthy balanced diet within a twenty-four hours or so later getting ill. Include fruits, vegetables, proteins, and complex carbohydrates.^three

Sometimes emphasizing foods that bind stool as well as those that provide more fluids may help. Smaller more frequently meals may also provide some relief.^viii

Focus on the following foods:

Binding foods (foods loftier in soluble fiber):^thirteen Greenish bananas (non overly ripe), applesauce, toast, cereals (oatmeal, cream of wheat), skinless potatoes, and white rice.
Hands-digested fruits with high water content: Cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon
Easily-digested proteins: Eggs, white meat chicken, and white flaky fish
A sprinkle of salty foods: Pretzels, saltines, and broth-based soups
Cooked (and peeled) mild vegetables: Carrots, dark-green beans, squash, zucchini, and potatoⁱⁱ ^, ^eight

Restrict the following foods:

Food high in fatty and saccharide like fried foods, ice cream, pastries, sausage/bacon, and fast foods
Any foods yous discover make your child's diarrhea worse
Foods that naturally may cause loose stools, such as: prunes (dried plums) and full-strength juice.⁸

If you have questions virtually your child's nutrition, reach out to our team of registered dietitians and lactation consultants for free! They are here to help on our free alive chat from Monday – Friday, 8am-8pm (EST )and Sabbatum – Sun, 8am-4pm (EST). Chat with them now!

Do probiotics aid with baby and toddler diarrhea?

The helpfulness of probiotics in children with diarrhea is debated, with some research showing no help and others indicating it may promote some improvements. ⁹ ^, ¹⁰ For more information, check in with your child's healthcare provider.

Does my infant need an anti-diarrheal medication?

Anti-diarrheal medications are sold over the counter (as well as by prescription) but in near cases should not exist used. Chat with your child's healthcare provider before considering an anti-diarrheal.³ ^, ⁵ ^, ^viii

Protect confronting diaper rash

Some wipes incorporate alcohol, fragrance, and other chemicals, so you may cull to keep your little one'southward tush comfortable and make clean by using water-dampened cloths instead of baby wipes. ^xi To do this, gently wipe baby's bottom with the dampened cloth and patting dry or air-dry. You may also opt for wipes that are complimentary of potentially irritating chemicals.

Permit your child's bottom to dry out completely before applying a protective ointment or cream. The foam will aid provide a barrier between what's in your baby'southward diaper and your little one's tush – but it will only help if applied to a dry bottom.^eleven

Frequent diaper changes (or even some diaper-costless time!) may also help.¹²

Call your child'south healthcare provider if you have concerns

If your child is experiencing any of the following, contact your healthcare provider:

Dehydration
Airsickness and an inability to proceed whatever fluids down
Diarrhea containing blood, mucus, or pus, or that is blackness and tarry
A fever higher than 102*F or a fever and diarrhea lasting for more than than two days
More than 8 stools in 8 hours
A significant change in behavior concurrent with diarrhea
Other signs of disease
You suspect your baby or toddler'south diarrhea is related to food-borne illness

Let'south Chat!

We know parenting oft means sleepless nights, stressful days, and countless questions and confusion, and we want to support you in your feeding journey and beyond. Our Happy Baby Experts are a team of lactation consultants and registered dietitians certified in infant and maternal nutrition – and they're all moms, too, which ways they've been in that location and seen that. They're hither to help on our free, live chat platform Monday – Fri 8am-8pm (EST), and Sat – Sunday 8am-4pm (EST). Chat Now!

Read more than about the experts that help write our content.

For more on this topic, check out the following articles:

Alternatives to naturally and artificially sweetened beverages and juices

Choosing milk and milk alternatives for your baby and toddler

How can I tell if my babe is fairly Hydrated?

The pros and cons of cups, sippy cups, and straws for babies and toddlers

Storing baby nutrient

How Do I Help My Breastfed Babe with Diarrhea and Constipation?

Sources

one. American Academy of Pediatrics. Starting Solids. Accessed 18 Baronial 2021. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Starting-Solid-Foods.aspx

2. American Higher of Gastroenterology. Diarrhea in Children. Accessed 24 August 2021. https://gi.org/topics/diarrhea-in-children/

3. American Academy of Pediatrics. Diarrhea in Children: What Parents Need to Know. Accessed xviii August 2021. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-bug/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Diarrhea.aspx

4. National Institute of Health. MedlinePlus. Diarrhea in Infants. Accessed 24 August 2021. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000691.htm

v. Dehydration and diarrhea. Paediatr Child Health. 2003;8(7):459-468. doi:10.1093/pch/8.vii.459. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791660/

6. American Academy of Pediatrics. Signs of Dehydration in Infants & Children. Accessed 24 August 2021. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-problems/injuries-emergencies/Pages/dehydration.aspx

7. Bhattacharya SK. Therapeutic methods for diarrhea in children. World J Gastroenterol. 2000;6(four):497-500. doi:ten.3748/wjg.v6.i4.497. https://world wide web.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4723546/

viii. Medline Plus. When your child has diarrhea. Accessed xx August 2021. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000693.htm

9. Guandalini Southward. Probiotics for children with diarrhea: an update. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008 Jul;42 Suppl two:S53-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18520336/

ten. National Institutes of Wellness. Probiotics not helpful for immature children with diarrhea. Accessed 24 August 2021. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-inquiry-matters/probiotics-not-helpful-young-children-diarrhea

eleven. American Academy of Pediatrics. Common Diapers Rashes and Treatments. Accessed 24 August 2021. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Diaper-Rash.aspx

12. Diaper Rash. Accessed 24 August 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-weather/diaper-rash/symptoms-causes/syc-20371636

13. National Institute of Wellness. Soluble and Insoluble Fiber. Accessed 24 Baronial 2021. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/19531.htm

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