Diarrhea is one of those things that every parent will have to suffer through at least once with their baby or toddler.  Whether your little one has the flu, a stomach bug, or a case of the runnies with no determined cause every child seems to get diarrhea at some point.  Being the diaper changer of a little one with diarrhea isn’t much fun.  With poop in every corner and crevice, not to mention often on clothes and up their backs it can be a messy undertaking.  A baby with diarrhea often isn’t too happy themselves, and can you blame them.  Doing your best to treat their diarrhea and keep them dry and comfortable will go along way to dry their tears.

Diarrhea is defined as loose, watery stool that occurs more than 3 times in a 24 hour period.  With infants it can often be difficult to decipher the difference between a regular bowel movement and actual diarrhea since their regular bowelments are often loose and they go so often.  If in doubt give your child’s pediatrician a call.  If your child had other symptoms along with the diarrhea, like vomitting or a fever you should give your doctor a call as it may be the flu.  What you need to watch out for with diarrhea, no matter what the cause is, is dehydration.  If your child doesn’t get enough fluids he or she may become dehydrated.

So how do you treat diarrhea in an infant or toddler?

FOOD

• Keep them hydrated with lots of fluids.  Keep breastfeeding or bottlefeeding your baby.  Supplement with pedialyte (an electrolyte maintenance solution that helps prevent dehydration).
• Stick with a bland diet.  Most pediatricians recommend the BRAT diet for babies and toddlers with diarrhea.  Bananas, Rice, Apples and Toast.  Avoid anything that will upset or irritate their stomach.
• Many pediatricians also recommend yogurt (with active cultures) as cultures in the yogurt will help kill bacteria in the digestive tract.

• Change the diaper immediately when your child has a bowel movement to help avoid additional irritation.
• Use plenty of diaper rash ointment to help avoid diaper rash.
• Clean and dry the diaper area thoroughly before putting on a new diaper.
• Avoid using baby wipes as they can irritate the already irritated skin, instead use a warm, wet cloth.