GUIDE FOR PARENTS
Caring for the child with diarrhea
Diarrhea is common in children and usually lasts from three
to seven days. The main danger from diarrhea is that children
can lose a great deal of fluid and salt in the frequent stools and
become dehydrated. If dehydration is severe, the child may need to
be hospitalized for fluid replacement. You can prevent dehydration
fairly easily when your child has diarrhea. Here's how:
Give liquids as soon as diarrhea starts. The best liquid to
give is an oral rehydration solution (Pedialyte). These solutions
replace the water and salts lost to diarrhea. You can buy them at
the grocery story or drug store. You do not need a prescription.
Do not give plain water since drinking only water can be harmful.
You can give a small amount of water along with the oral
rehydration solution if your child wants it.
DO NOT GIVE the following liquids, which contain a lot of sugar
or sweetener and can make diarrhea worse: Juices, cola or other
soft drinks, sports drinks such as Gatorade, and drinks such as
Kool-Aid. However, if your child refuses Pedialyte, you may have
to give one or more of the above, with the understanding that
getting fluid in your child is the primary goal. Choose the least
sweetened fluid that your child will take. Also avoid tea, chicken
broth, boiled skim milk, and homemade solutions to which salt is
added.
Give 1/2 cup (4 oz) of rehydration solution for every watery
stool, using a small spoon, if your child is under 2 years of age.
If your child is over 2 years, give 1/2 cup to one cup (8 oz) for
every watery stool. Give the solution until the diarrhea stops. If
your child is vomiting, give one teaspoon of the solution every
two to three minutes until the vomiting stops, then gradually
return to the regular amount.
Continue to feed your child. Eating is important to
maintain health. If your child is nursing, continue to breastfeed.
If he is taking formula, continue with the same formula. Isomil
DF (diarrhea formula) is acceptable for no more than 5 days.
If your child is eating solid foods, continue with the regular
diet. Good foods to give include cooked cereal, bananas, cooked
meat, noodles, crackers, rice, vegetables, potatoes, and yogurt.
Avoid foods with a lot of sugar (such as Jello, ice cream, and
sweetened cereals) and fried, fatty foods.
Do not give medication without consulting your child's doctor.
Most children with diarrhea get better without medication.
Artificially stopping diarrhea only prolongs the illness. Some
over-the-counter medicines for diarrhea can even be harmful
(especially PeptoBismol). Remember that food and fluids are the
most important treatment for diarrhea.
Take steps to prevent the spread of infection. Hand washing is
the most important means of preventing diarrhea from spreading.
Wash your hands and exposed arms with soap and warm water after
caring for your child, especially after diaper changes. Keep your
fingernails clean and trimmed. Teach your child to wash her hands
before eating and, especially, after using the toilet.
Call your child's doctor if:
-
The diarrhea is not improving after 24 hours.
-
The diarrhea gets worse (after 48 hours).
-
The diarrhea has blood or mucous in it.
-
Your child is vomiting along with having diarrhea and does
not urinate at least twice in 24 hours
-
Your child has a severe stomachache.
-
Your child shows any signs of dehydration:
Decreased urination (less that 2 episodes in 24 hours)
Sunken eyes
No tears when crying
Extreme thirst
Unusual drowsiness or fussiness
-
Your child is under 6 months of age.