How to treat diarrhea in infants, toddlers and kids

Nothing can slow down a child's fun – or interfere with family plans – more than a case of diarrhea. The best treatment for your child's diarrhea may depend on its cause, but there are ways to provide relief from diarrhea symptoms. Learn how to treat diarrhea in kids, including advice on anti-diarrheal medicines, home remedies and the best foods to give your child.

What can cause diarrhea in infants, toddlers and kids?

Diarrhea is a common condition that occurs when stool has too much water in it.

"The colon is designed to absorb water so that the stool has form and consistency. When the colon is inflamed, its capacity to absorb that water decreases, and the stool holds on to that excess water, resulting in diarrhea,” explains Lauren Lazar, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterologist with Children's Health℠ and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern. "If your child has a loose or liquid stool three or more times per day, it would be considered diarrhea.”

There are many possible causes for diarrhea in children of all ages depending on their symptoms, and how long they have had it.

Acute diarrhea causes

Usually, when children get diarrhea, or watery stool, it's considered "acute,” meaning it lasts from a few days up to a week. The most common cause of acute diarrhea is some sort of infection, whether viral, bacterial or parasitic, including:

• Rotavirus

• Norovirus

• Salmonella

• E. coli

• Giardia

Beyond stomach bugs, diarrhea in kids can also be triggered by other issues, including:

• Eating or drinking too much sugar or artificial sweetener

• Certain antibiotic medications

• Operations on the stomach or gallbladder

Chronic diarrhea causes

Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts longer than 2-4 weeks and is less common. Like acute diarrhea, it can be caused by a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection. Chronic diarrhea might also be triggered by underlying inflammation in the body or genetic or autoimmune conditions, including:

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Celiac disease

• Food allergies or intolerances

• Lactose intolerance

What medicine can I give my child to stop diarrhea?

Usually, medicine is not necessary to treat diarrhea in kids. In most cases, acute infectious diarrhea will stop when the body clears out the infection.

"Diarrhea is like a cough when you have a cold. Your gut is trying to get the bad stuff out,” explains Dr. Lazar. "If you slow down the gut with an anti-diarrheal medicine when you have infectious diarrhea, you're keeping the infection inside.”

If your child's diarrhea lasts more than a few days, check with your pediatrician to determine the cause and best treatment. For chronic diarrhea, your doctor might suggest a change of diet, medication or other ongoing treatment.

Information about diarrhea medicine for kids

Generally, antibiotics are not used to treat infectious diarrhea in children.

The need for any anti-diarrheal medicine for kids will vary depending on the cause.

Always check with your doctor before giving your child over-the-counter diarrhea medications such as Imodium and Pepto-Bismol.

For some types of infectious diarrhea, probiotics may be helpful. You can buy probiotics over the counter in liquid and pill form. Make sure to buy the version that is "for children.”

Do not give any type of medication to children under age 3 without first consulting your doctor.

What are home remedies for treating diarrhea in kids?

There is no one specific food, drink or home remedy that will stop your child's diarrhea. The best treatment for your child's diarrhea is supportive care. To provide relief from diarrhea symptoms, focus on:

• Keeping your child hydrated

• Offering a variety of nutritious foods

• Identifying triggers or problem foods

Preventing dehydration in kids with diarrhea

"With diarrhea, the body loses salts and electrolytes, so it's very important to help your child stay hydrated,” says Dr. Lazar. "Avoid juice and other sugary beverages.”

To keep a child with diarrhea hydrated, offer plenty of fluids, such as:

• Water

• Broth or soup

• Pediatric electrolyte solutions in liquid or freezer pop form

Pediatric electrolyte solutions, like Pedialyte, are recommended over sports drinks, like Gatorade or Powerade, because they are safer for children, lower in sugar and calories and offer a higher electrolyte content.

What should you feed a child who has diarrhea?

If your child has diarrhea, it's important to feed them a healthy, well-balanced diet in addition to plenty of fluids. In the past, doctors suggested the "BRAT” diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) as a solution to help children with diarrhea. Now, many doctors don't recommend it.

"The BRAT diet is restrictive and does not necessarily help stop diarrhea,” explains Dr. Lazar. "Instead, we recommend that children continue to eat a nutritious, well-rounded diet, as there is evidence that the intestine heals when the child is fed.”

In certain cases of diarrhea, your child's pediatrician might suggest a dairy-free or low-sugar diet – on a short-term basis.

Will fiber or certain foods stop my child's diarrhea?

Fiber is often used to regulate bowel movements and can be used to help with constipation and diarrhea. There are different types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber helps diarrhea as it dissolves in water and helps food move through the gut at just the right pace. Insoluble fiber helps more with constipation as it does not dissolve in water and can cause food to move through the digestive system faster.

These soluble, fiber-rich foods may help slow your child's diarrhea:

• Apples

• Bananas

• Barley

• Oats

• Beans

• Peas

• Sweet potatoes

Discuss with your doctor if a fiber supplement is appropriate to give your child.

Feeding infants and babies with diarrhea

For breastfed babies and children, breast milk continues to be a great option for nutrition through diarrhea. "Breast milk is easily absorbed and has more nutrients than electrolyte solutions,” says Dr. Lazar.

However, parents should keep in mind that infants, especially newborns, are very susceptible to dehydration with diarrhea, so if you notice any change in a baby's stool pattern, you should contact your pediatrician.

Identifying food-related diarrhea triggers

If your child's diarrhea persists, try keeping a food diary. For some people, certain foods can trigger diarrhea. For example, some kids with irritable bowel syndrome notice that high-fat, high-sugar or spicy foods tend to cause problems. For some children, gluten or dairy might trigger diarrhea. If you sense that a particular food is causing a problem for your child, write it down and discuss it with your doctor.

How can I reduce the chances of my child getting diarrhea?

There are several ways you can help prevent children’s diarrhea.

• Teach them proper handwashing. Hand washing is the number one way to stop the spread of germs.

• Have your child get the rotavirus vaccine. This vaccine can protect them against the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and young kids.

• Avoid raw (unpasteurized) milk.

• Avoid antibiotics when they’re not needed.

• Continue to breastfeed (if you’re breastfeeding). Substances in breast milk help protect babies from infections.

• Limit juice and sweet drinks.

• Follow the guidelines around what’s safe to eat and drink if you’re traveling to a developing country.

Preventing the spread of diarrhea to others

When a virus causes diarrhea, it can quickly spread in your home or at school. But you can take steps to prevent the spread of a stomach bug by:

• Making sure everyone at home washes their hands with soap and water after they use the toilet and before they eat.

• Wash your hands after handling your sick child’s eating utensils, dirty clothes and diapers.

• Wipe down toys with disinfectant – and try not to let other kids play with them.

• Wipe down your bathroom counter and toilet with disinfectant.

When should I take my child to the doctor for diarrhea?

Call a doctor about diarrhea if your child:

• Is less than 6 months of age

• Has blood in the stool

• Shows signs of dehydration (low urine output, no tears, no spit in the mouth, excessive sleepiness or low activity level)

• Is vomiting

• Has a high fever that does not improve with fever medication

• Has abdominal distention (swelling or enlargement)

• Has a history of abdominal surgeries

• Shows symptoms lasting longer than 2-3 days

"Even if your child is staying hydrated, I would recommend going to the pediatrician if the diarrhea is not improving after two or three days – just to make sure no other evaluations are needed,” recommends Dr. Lazar.

Find care for your child’s diarrhea

Children's Health Primary Care is here to care for all aspects of your child's health, from treatment of common illnesses like diarrhea to treatment of chronic conditions. Our pediatric gastroenterologists also help children and their families manage a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions. Learn more about our gastroenterology program.