Diarrhea, Pediatric
Diarrhea is frequent loose and watery bowel movements. Diarrhea can make your child feel weak and dehydrated. Dehydration can make your child tired and thirsty, have a dry mouth, and urinate less frequently. Diarrhea typically lasts 2–3 days. However, it can last longer if it is a sign of something more serious. It is important to treat your child’s diarrhea as directed by your child’s health care provider.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Eating and Drinking
• Make sure that your child drinks enough fluids (hydrates). Give your child 1 cup (8 oz) of fluid each time your child has diarrhea. Do not give your child fluids that contain simple sugars or sports drinks, fruit juices, whole milk products, and sodas. Your child’s urine should be clear or pale yellow if he or she is drinking enough fluids. Have your child hydrate with an oral rehydration solution. You can buy this at pharmacies, retail stores, and online. You can also make an oral rehydration solution at home by mixing the following ingredients together: …show more content…
○ ¾ tsp baking soda.
○ ⅓ tsp salt substitute containing potassium chloride.
○ 1 ⅓ tablespoons sugar.
○ 1 L (34 oz) of water.
• Have your child avoid eating or drinking:
○ Caffeinated beverages.
○ Foods that are high in fiber, such as raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grain breads and cereals.
○ Foods and beverages that are sweetened with sugar alcohols, such as xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol.
○ Spicy and fatty foods.
• Have your child eat foods as directed by your child’s health care provider. This may include:
○ Starchy foods, such as rice, toast, pasta, low-sugar cereal, oatmeal, grits, baked potatoes, crackers, and bagels.
○ Bananas.
○ Applesauce.
○ Yogurt, fermented milk products, and other foods that contain probiotics.
General
Diarrhea is frequent loose and watery bowel movements. Diarrhea can make your child feel weak and dehydrated. Dehydration can make your child tired and thirsty, have a dry mouth, and urinate less frequently. Diarrhea typically lasts 2–3 days. However, it can last longer if it is a sign of something more serious. It is important to treat your child’s diarrhea as directed by your child’s health care provider.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Eating and Drinking
• Make sure that your child drinks enough fluids (hydrates). Give your child 1 cup (8 oz) of fluid each time your child has diarrhea. Do not give your child fluids that contain simple sugars or sports drinks, fruit juices, whole milk products, and sodas. Your child’s urine should be clear or pale yellow if he or she is drinking enough fluids. Have your child hydrate with an oral rehydration solution. You can buy this at pharmacies, retail stores, and online. You can also make an oral rehydration solution at home by mixing the following ingredients together: …show more content…
○ ¾ tsp baking soda.
○ ⅓ tsp salt substitute containing potassium chloride.
○ 1 ⅓ tablespoons sugar.
○ 1 L (34 oz) of water.
• Have your child avoid eating or drinking:
○ Caffeinated beverages.
○ Foods that are high in fiber, such as raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grain breads and cereals.
○ Foods and beverages that are sweetened with sugar alcohols, such as xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol.
○ Spicy and fatty foods.
• Have your child eat foods as directed by your child’s health care provider. This may include:
○ Starchy foods, such as rice, toast, pasta, low-sugar cereal, oatmeal, grits, baked potatoes, crackers, and bagels.
○ Bananas.
○ Applesauce.
○ Yogurt, fermented milk products, and other foods that contain probiotics.
General