Diarrhea in babies
What is the best home remedy for infant diarrhea.
Diarrhea in babies is an increase in the frequency and looseness of the bowel movements. This can be very uncomfortable for young babies but also a great concern for mom.
With diarrhea in babies there is always the possibility of dehydration when baby looses too much fluid.
Breastfeeding mothers know that it is quit normal for their babies to have lots of soft stools a day.
But how many stools a day is normal?
Every baby’s bowel movement pattern is different.
Some have 4 to 5 poops a day and some have more than that.
Warning signs of diarrhea in babies:
- More than eight watery stools a day.
- Unusual odor.
- Stools also contain pus or blood.
- Baby may have other symptoms like fever and vomiting.
How long should you wait before you go to the doctor.
If your baby is drinking well and acting fine, you can give it a couple of days to a week.You will definitely have to call your doctor when apart from diarrhea your baby also:
- has signs of dehydration.( irritability, decreased appetite, no urine for 6 hous, more concentrated urine, dry mouth, thirst, sunken eyes, lack of tears when crying, sunken fontanel, skin that isn't as elastic as usual);
- Is listless or unusually sleepy.
- Has blood in the stools.
- Has a belly that seems swollen, hard, or painful when touched
- Is vomiting more than eight hours or has blood in his/her vomit as well.
- Has a fever (rectal temperature of 100.4 F or more)
Reasons for diarrhea in infants.
Gastrointestinal infections.
- One of the reasons of diarrhea in babies is a viral infection caused by
viruses like the rotavirus, norovirus and adenovirus.
- Bacterial infections usually caused by contaminated food and poor hygiene.
Bacteria like Staphylococcus, Shigella, Salmonella and e-coli cause severe
symptoms, like vomiting, fever, severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
- Parasites. Usually causing infection of the intestines by drinking contaminated water.
- Antibiotics kill the natural flora of the body (good bacteria) in the intestines giving Clostridium difficile (bad bacteria) a chance to grow and cause infectious diarrhea.
Food related causes.
Food allergy. This is an allergic reaction to certain foods (or milk) .The reaction may manifest in different places like in the skin (hives) or intestines (diarrhea). A more severe reaction can cause breathing problems and become life threatening for your baby.
Food Intolerance. In young infants this usually is a lactose intolerance because they only drink milk. Lactose is the sugar found in milk. With a lactose intolerance your baby has problems digesting this lactose. This problem can occur with formula and breast milk.
But even a change in a mothers diet can cause diarrhea in a breastfed infant. Certain foods like onions, cabbage, chocolate or spicy foods can cause gas, colic and diarrhea. If you notice that some foods are making your baby suffer, try to avoid them in the future.
Too much sugar in baby’s diet can cause diarrhea in babies. Too many sweetened drinks upset your infant’s stomach. Try diluting juices with water before giving it to your baby.
Too rich formula. Try to mix the right amount of formula and water. If the milk is to rich it may upset baby’s tummy and cause diarrhea.
We often see that babies with an ear infection or babies that are teething are having diarrhea as well. Many parents claim their baby has loose stools when new teeth are ready to erupt. It is still not proven though that there is a relation between teething and diarrhea.
Poisoning. Your infant may have ingested something poisonous that causes diarrhea.
Diseases that cause diarrhea.
- Intestinal disorders like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease or colitis are more rare causes of diarrhea in babies.
- But also diabetes, thyroid and other endocrine diseases are responsible for diarrhea problems.
Treatment for infant diarrhea..
To be able to treat diarrhea in babies you have to determine what causes it. Whether it is caused by a viral infection or the cause is food related, the main concern is your baby doesn't get dehydrated. Continue breast feeding your baby to make sure your child gets enough fluid.
Give your baby extra Oral dehydration Supplement (ORS) between breastfeeding.
One of these ORS solutions is called Pedialyte.
Pedialyte is used to quickly replace fluids and electrolytes lost during diarrhea and vomiting to help prevent dehydration in infants and children.
The benefits of Pedialyte.
- This is an unflavored liquid available for young infants; fruit-flavored, grape-flavored, and bubble gum-flavored liquids formulated with improved taste to enhance compliance in older infants and children.
- It is ready To Use--No mixing or dilution necessary.
- Contains balanced electrolytes to replace losses and provide maintenance requirements.
- Provides glucose to promote sodium and water absorption.
Pedialyte Freezer Pops are a "cool" way to help your child get the fluid and electrolytes needed to help prevent dehydration. Just pop them in the freezer, freeze and eat.
Babies recovering from a viral gastroenteritis may have a temporary shortness of lactase. The enzyme lactase is necessary to digest lactose in milk. As a result babies may suffer from a temporary lactose intolerance. In this case babies may have to switch temporary to a soy-based milk like Isomil.
For firming loose, watery stools, Isomil DF is for the dietary management of diarrhea in infants older than 6 months and toddlers. Isomil DF should not be fed to infants or toddlers with constipation.
Isomil Advance Soy Formula with Iron, Ready to Feed, Case of Six Bottles- each 32 Fluid Ounces
Why use Isomel?
- Because it is the first and only infant formula to contain added dietary fiber (soy) specifically for diarrhea management.
- Secondly it is clinically shown to reduce the duration of loose, watery stools during mild to severe diarrhea in infants.
- It also is clinically shown to be effective in the management of antibiotic-induced diarrhea.
- Finally it is a lactose-free formulation to avoid lactose-associated diarrhea.
Home remedy for infant diarrhea.
If your baby is a bit older and eating solids many doctors will suggest the BRAT diet.
BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. These are low-fiber foods that can help make baby’s stools more firm.
The BRAT diet should not be followed for more than a few days because it does not provide all the elements of a healthy diet. As stools become more formed, your baby can return to a normal diet.
In addition to the BRAT diet you give your baby Kao Lectrolyte or Pedialyte. Do not give your infant carbonated soft drinks, or liquids with high sugar content. High sugar content can make the diarrhea worse.
Yoghurt contains Acidophilus, a healthy bacterium that lives in our intestines.
Studies show that yoghurt is the only milk product that is safe and can shorten the duration and severity of diarrhea.
Other foods that stop diarrhea in babies.
- Carrot juice or boiled carrots.
- Unsweetened infant rice cereal.
- White grape juice.
- Plain boiled pasta.
The information on this page is given as a reference guide and is not a substitute for professional medical help.
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