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Infant Diarrhea

What is infant Diarrhea?

Children under the age of 3 years may suffer from diarrhea. Diarrhea results in sudden increase in frequency of bowl movement, and watery stools. It is normal for infants to have have about 10 bowel movements per day. The frequency decreases as they get older. If the frequency suddenly increases by more than 50%, and the stools are watery and greenish with smell, the infant most likely has Diarrhea. Loss of appetite, loss of sleep and lethargy may be noticed.

What causes Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is an intestinal infection which may be either viral or bacterial. Normally, the physicians will not give antibiotics. These forms of diarrhea last up to two weeks with or without treatment.

The other causes include food intolerance, food allergy, change in diet of the nursing mother or the infant.

Consult Pediatrician if the symptoms include: fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, continued weight loss, blood mucus or puss in the stool.

Dehydration

The main complication of diarrhea is dehydration. The symptoms are dry mouth, loss of tears, infrequent and dark concentrated urination (No urine in 8 hours).

The pediatrician will give ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). In United States, you can buy Pedialyte or Ricelyte at almost any store. These solutions contain electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.

In India, mothers make Rice Kanji Recipe at home for rehydration.

Infants Diet

The diet should consist of lots of solids with fiber and fluids.

1. Discontinue newly introduced foods within last 4 days. The infant may be intolerant or allergic to these foods.

2. Discontinue fruit juices.

3. Continue and increase the frequency of breast feeding.

4. Continue and increase the frequency of infant formula unless the infant is allergic to the medium used to make the infant formula. In that case the medium should be changed.

5. Live bacteria in yogurt is good for diarrhea.

6. Continue with Cereals (Rice, Ragi, Bajra, Jowar)

7. Strained cooked vegetables: Carrots, Potatoes

8. Fruits: Mashed Bananas, unsweetened apple sauce, white grape juice

9. Un-buttered whole grain toast or Roti

10. Give ice chips to suck.