“Diarrhoea — frequent, watery stools most often caused by a virus — in babies and toddlers usually goes away within 10 days. It’s important to watch your child for signs of dehydration and make sure they get enough fluids.”
– Sabrina Felson at WebMD
Today, let us explore diarrhoea in babies, its symptoms, causes, and fast solutions. Worried about diarrhoea in babies? Diarrhoea means watery, loose stools that are sometimes pasty and have a different colour than usual. Diarrhoea in babies is a terrifying experience for both the baby and the parents. Loose stools are nature’s way of throwing viruses and bacteria out of a person’s body. Though it sounds simple, it should not be taken very lightly.
Did you know that diarrhoea with stomach pain must be addressed immediately to avoid further problems?
4 Key Symptoms of Diarrhoea in Babies
The symptoms of diarrhoea in babies can vary from child to child. As mentioned above, the baby suffers from watery, loose stools that can be pasty and have a different colour than usual. The body loses a lot of water and the baby may suffer from dehydration. Watch out for this particular symptom as babies get dehydrated very quickly after passing watery stools. Below mentioned are some other symptoms other than dehydration:
- Reduced urine output
- Baby is irritable or fussy
- Dry mouth
- Unusual drowsiness
As the body is already losing water, the urine output may be affected which is one of the important diarrhoea symptoms. Keeping a count of wet diapers or checking on the number of times the child goes to empty the bladder is important.
Loose stools can make your child irritable and fussy which is one of the important diarrhoea symptoms. The changes in the digestive system may cause pain in the stomach and the constant loose motions make the child uncomfortable.
The salivary glands produce less saliva as there is less amount of water in the body making the mouth dry which is an key sign of
diarrhoea in infants.
Loose motions cause a lot of electrolytes to flush out of the body. This leads to loss of energy and the child feels drowsy or sluggish. The child may sleep more than usual or may complain of tiredness and fatigue which is one of the important signs of diarrhoea in infants. If this sign is left unattended it could lead to diarrhoea with stomach pain in children.
Some babies may suffer from belly pain, fever, or vomiting. Many times the stools may have a distinct, foul smell. These are the key signs and symptoms of diarrhoea in infants.
Did you ask this question ‘How to cure Diarrhoea for your kids?’
4 Main Causes of Diarrhoea in Babies
Numerous things may cause watery, loose stools. Sometimes, a change in diet or drinking untreated water may lead to this condition. A change in place or even a change of season can affect digestion. Other causes of diarrhoea in babies may include,
- A viral or bacterial infection
- Some food allergies
- Sensitivity to certain medicines
- Having too much fruit juice
Babies can get affected by viral or bacterial infection through breast milk. Older children’s hands come in contact with new surfaces while they are exploring the world around them. Putting these dirty hands in the mouth can cause germs to enter the stomach. Sometimes, children also eat unclean food and get infected.
As these babies are growing, they are introduced to various foods. It may happen that your child has an intolerance for certain food or food groups. Eliminating newly-introduced foods and observing the changes in the stools can lead you to understand if your baby is allergic to certain food items. Letting your doctor know about these dietary changes is also important.
If your child has been put on certain medicines recently then you may need to consult your doctor to know if the medicine had anything to do with the loose motions your child is experiencing.
Fruit juices have fructose either naturally present or sometimes added artificially. Excess intake of fructose causes loose motions. Check if your child has been taking a lot of fruit juice and whether that has led to watery stools.
Now, the question is how to stop diarrhoea in babies fast. A child’s gut is still developing and an infection can disturb the harmony of the baby’s digestive system. To prevent dehydration, give your baby adequate fluids and control the number of certain types of solids. Restrict physical exertion as this may lead to loss of energy and water through perspiration. These are some of the main signs and symptoms of diarrhoea in kids.
4 Quick Remedies to Relieve Diarrhoea in Babies
We need to understand what is the exact cause of diarrhoea and taking your child to the doctor is the best thing to do. Here are some of the remedies that can be done until you seek medical advice:
- Give ample fluids and electrolytes
- If your child eats solid foods, give him bland, starchy food
- If the child is breastfeeding, mothers need to adjust their own diet accordingly
- Let the child have adequate rest
Loss of water leads to sluggishness and dehydration. Replenish these by giving water or ORS, but avoid giving your child fruit juice.
Bananas, apple sauce, buttermilk, or diluted moong daal with soft rice will give some relief to your child’s stomach.
Carefully observe and eliminate the foods that cause loose motions in your baby. Do not include such food items while breastfeeding the child.
Loss of energy and water will make your child tired. Give him enough rest to bring down the fatigue. This will also help to reduce his fussiness.
Conclusion
No matter how mild or severe the attack is, make sure that you and your child wash your hands regularly. Do not give your child over-the-counter medicines, unless prescribed by the doctor. Consult a doctor immediately and follow proper medical advice apart from the suggestions above. You can get more information on EuroKids about healthy foods for your baby and other important tips to understand your baby’s digestive system.
What measures are you planning to take next time you see signs of Diarrohoea in your kids?
Reference
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diarrhea-in-children
https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/how-to-treat-diarrhea-in-kids
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/diarrhea-treatment-in-children
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