Diarrhea is a frequent, watery bowel movement often caused by a viral infection but sometimes is caused by bacteria or certain foods.
What are the symptoms of diarrhea?
- More bowel movements per day than usual
- Soft and watery stools
- Belly aches or abdominal pain
Home care
If your child seems to have a mild illness and is not taking n as much by mouth, try increasing fluid intake by offering small amounts more often.
Older children who are more severely dehydrated (see warning signs) should be given only rehydration therapy (e.g. Pedialyte, Rehydrate, Infalyte).
Give your child foods that are easy to digest such as bananas, toast, rice, noodles, crackers, and applesauce.
Do NOT give your child heavy foods until he feels better.
Do NOT give your child any anti-diarrhea medication.
Use acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, or Panadol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever, pain, and discomfort. Avoid ibuprofen if your child is dehydrated or unable to take anything by mouth.
Warning signs – Call our office for advice if:
Your child becomes listless or unresponsive.
You notice blood in your child’s stool.
Your child refuses to drink.
Your child has any signs of dehydration such as no tears while crying, dry lips and mouth, fewer wet diapers (around 6 per day is normal) or urination, or sunken eyes.
Your child continues to have diarrhea after 4 days.
You have any questions or concerns, or if you have any doubts about the severity of your child’s symptoms.
**If your child develops a fever, please refer to the fever page.
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