- When to go to the doctor
- What can cause diarrhea in the baby
- How To Stop Baby Diarrhea
- Home remedy for baby diarrhea
Infantile diarrhea occurs when the child has more than 3 bowel movements during the day, which is common in babies due to viruses. To find out if the baby has diarrhea, one must observe the consistency of the poop in the diaper because when there is diarrhea, the stool has the following characteristics:
- Poop even more liquid than normal; Different color than usual; More intense smell, especially when it is caused by gastroenteritis; The diaper usually cannot hold the poop, leaking poop into the baby's clothes; The poop can come out in a strong jet.
It is normal for the baby poop of less than 6 months to have a pasty consistency, being quite different from an adult. But in a normal poop the baby looks healthy and although the poop is not well shaped like an adult's, it is located in an area of the diaper. In case of diarrhea this does not happen and the poop spreads to all genitals and leaks, soiling the clothes. However, normal poop can also leak, so it is not always easy to find out if your baby has diarrhea, if he does not show other signs and symptoms.
When to go to the doctor
Parents should take the baby to the pediatrician if the following symptoms are present:
- More than 1 episode of diarrhea on the same day; If the baby seems listless or sick, being less active and very sleepy during the day; If the diarrhea is very intense and there are no signs of improvement in 3 days; If you notice diarrhea with pus or blood; If other symptoms are present such as vomiting and fever above 38 ºC.
It is common for viruses to cause vomiting, diarrhea and fever in the baby, but these symptoms can also arise when the baby eats some food for the first time, due to intolerances or allergies, for example, and therefore it should always be evaluated by the doctor.
What can cause diarrhea in the baby
The main causes of diarrhea in the baby are viruses, which also cause vomiting, fever and loss of appetite. Gastroenteritis caused by Rotavirus is common in babies under 1 year of age, even if they have been vaccinated, and their main characteristic is diarrhea with the smell of rotten eggs.
Some babies also get diarrhea when their teeth are being born, which is not a big cause for concern.
When diarrhea is caused by a virus, it can last for more than 5 days and the butt can be roasted, red, and a little blood can come out. So when your baby has diarrhea, your diaper should be changed as soon as it is dirty. Parents should put ointment against diaper rash and keep the baby clean and comfortable so they can rest and recover faster.
How To Stop Baby Diarrhea
Usually diarrhea attacks go away on their own within 5 to 8 days, but in any case, you need to take the baby to the pediatrician so that he can evaluate and indicate the use of medications, if necessary.
- Baby feeding with diarrhea
To take care of the child with diarrhea, parents should give the child light meals, with cooked foods such as rice porridge, vegetable puree with cooked and shredded chicken, for example. During this period, the baby does not need to eat much, and it is better to eat less, but more often.
Foods that should not be given to a baby with diarrhea are high in fiber such as cereals, unpeeled fruits. Chocolate, soda, cow's milk, cheese, sauces and fried foods are also discouraged, so as not to over-stimulate the intestine, making it difficult to cure diarrhea.
The baby should drink plenty of fluids, such as water, coconut water, tea or natural juices, since it is through the feces that the child loses fluids and can become dehydrated. In some cases, it may be necessary to give a homemade serum or serum purchased from pharmacies. See the Homemade Whey Recipe to prepare the right way.
- Baby diarrhea remedies
It is not recommended to give medication to stop the baby's diarrhea, so you should never give medication like Imosec to children under 2 years of age. The pediatrician can only recommend medicines like Paracetamol in syrup form to relieve pain and discomfort, and to lower the fever, if these symptoms are present.
Another remedy that can be indicated to replenish the bacterial flora of the baby's intestine and that helps him to recover faster are probiotics such as Floratil, for example.
Home remedy for baby diarrhea
To take care of the child with infant diarrhea, a home remedy can be prepared to help trap the intestine, relieving this discomfort. Thus, you can make chamomile tea several times a day, but rice water is also an excellent option. Just soak the rice in the clean water for 10 minutes and then wash the rice in that water and take that whitish water throughout the day.
