Diarrhea is the condition of having at least three loose or liquid bowel movements each day and it can be associated with stomach cramps, nausea, fever and vomiting. Anybody who has diarrhea should drink plenty of fluids, eat simple food and take medicines exactly as directed by the doctor. An infant with diarrhea loses more water than usual from diarrhea and vomiting. Though infants may become dehydrated quickly if not given the right amount of fluids such as formula, breast milk or special fluids.
Breastfed babies often get diarrhea when their mother eats certain foods. In this situation, the child’s healthcare provider may also recommend pumping, storing and discarding breast milk for 24 hours. Diarrhea in infants is not treated with medicines unless there are associated symptoms such as fever or dehydration.
If your baby has a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be needed. In other cases, over-the-counter medications or home remedies may work. There are a few different things that you can try, depending on the cause of diarrhea. In some cases, dehydration is a concern, so it’s important to take steps to prevent it. In this blog, we will share few ideas for how to help your baby through this uncomfortable phase.
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How to stop diarrhea in babies?
Although stopping diarrhea in babies may seem difficult but it is possible. There are various ways to stop diarrhea in babies by adding more fiber into your baby’s diet, drinking more fluids and using medications if necessary. As well severe diarrhea worse by fever, vomiting and dehydration can be life-threatening. In such cases, you should get immediate medical help. From solid foods to environmental changes, there are a number of things you can do to stop a child’s diarrhea. Below we suggest things to do to stop diarrhea in babies and they are
1. Greasy Foods
Moreover, to avoid mild diarrhea, you can give your baby solid foods instead of liquids. The types of food that are recommended here include oatmeal, rice, cream soups and mashed potatoes with gravy. It is good for babies suffering from diarrhea because these foods contain little fiber and take longer to digest than other foods. Generally, the baby has diarrhea due to the lack of fiber, which can cause blockages in waste matter. Solid food high in fats and oils usually leads to a feeling of fullness for longer periods of time compared with other solid foods. In this case, the baby’s diarrhea caused by bacterial infections will stop sooner than before.
2. High rich fiber foods
For formula-fed babies, it is recommended to use an infant formula that has a higher carbohydrate content. In fact, these foods contain more nutrients and minerals that can help stop diarrhea in babies. However, you should ask your doctor before changing the type of food you give to your baby. Most children have trigger diarrhea due to their bodies are not able to digest lactose. If you’ve had this condition, you can consult your child’s healthcare provider about using soy or rice milk for formula-fed babies with mild diarrhea.
3. Drinking fluids
In addition to symptoms of diarrhea, a baby may also have symptoms such as vomiting and fever. If the symptoms do not improve after taking medicines, ask yours healthcare provider about using small amounts of fluid. Fluids like apple juice, grape juice and infant electrolyte solution are good for babies with diarrhea. So, it is probably best to avoid non-carbonated flavored drinks that contain caffeine. In this case, sports drinks and juice high in sugar and caffeine can lead to dehydration and other problems. The more fluids a baby gets, the faster diarrhea ends. Thus, it is very important that you consult your doctor before choosing a type of fluid for babies with diarrhea.
4. Pedialyte
Pedialyte is recommended as an oral hydration solution to stop dehydration in babies with diarrhea. But remember that children under 1 year old should not be given any medication without consulting your doctor because babies are still in the process of growing. Baby diarrhea can be prevented from some factors, such as avoiding milk and dairy products, not giving the baby caffeinated beverages, etc. In addition to medication, Pedialyte is a good choice for babies with diarrhea because it provides electrolytes that help replace the ones lost due to vomiting and diarrhea.
5. Avoid more milk products
For babies who are older than 6 months, you can avoid milk products while they have diarrhea. However, if the baby is younger than 6 months and has diarrhea, you should not stop feeding them with milk. Milk is important for babies of this age because it provides plenty of nutrients that infants need to grow. The child’s healthcare provider suggests that if the child is over 6 months and has diarrhea, you can give them lactose-free milk products. Also if your baby is breastfed during this period, but because of your breastfeeding routine change your diet to avoid more milk products.
6. Breast Milk
Breast milk will also help your baby avoid diarrhea and prevent dehydration in babies. In addition, for formula-fed babies, if they have diarrhea, you can also give them a little bit of water. However, the amounts should be adjusted according to the age and weight of the baby. Sometimes baby’s diaper rash can develop due to diarrhea, so you need to keep the baby’s skin clean and dry during the treatment. For your baby’s digestive system brat diet, it is important to avoid spicy or fried foods and caffeine.
7. Vitamin B1
Another way to stop diarrhea in babies is by adding vitamin B1 (thiamine hydrochloride) to the food consumed. The vitamin is also beneficial for the prevention of nausea and vomiting that can occur due to diarrhea which is caused by antibiotics or intestinal viruses. The child’s normal diet remains unchanged while receiving vitamin B1. Chronic diarrhea can be treated by giving vitamin B1 once or twice daily until the diarrhea subsides. However, pregnant women are advised to consult their doctor before they determine the amount of vitamin B1 that is appropriate for them.
8. Oral rehydration solution
In cases of severe diarrhea, a baby may need a more concentrated mixture containing electrolytes and sugars. These fluids are given to babies through the mouth or directly into the veins using an intravenous drip. Dehydration is a serious condition that can have long-lasting effects on your child’s health. Oral rehydration solutions help to resolve diarrhea worse situation and replace water and salts. It is recommended that parents consult their doctor before using any of these methods or treatments for treating diarrhea to breastfeed babies.
