Diarrhea in babies
You
can find many different textures, colors and smells in baby diapers depending
on what they eat. Poop is usually much softer than adult poop, and it's not
uncommon for it to be even softer than usual. But if it suddenly becomes much
looser or more watery and occurs more frequently and in large amounts, it could
be diarrhea.
Causes of baby diarrhea
Many
things can cause the problem, including:
- Infection with a virus, bacterium or parasite. Babies can become infected with these germs by coming into contact with contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then putting their hands in their mouths.
- Food allergies or drug sensitivities
- Drinking too much fruit juice
- Poisoning
Effects of baby diarrhea
Diarrhea
causes the body to lose too much water and minerals called electrolytes. This
leads to dehydration. Babies can become dehydrated very quickly and this can be
very dangerous, especially for newborns.
Call
your child's doctor if you notice the following signs of dehydration in your
child:
- Peeing less often
- Acting fussy or irritable
- Dry mouth
- No tears when they cry
- Unusual drowsiness or sluggishness
- Sunken soft spot on the top of the baby's head
- Skin that isn't as elastic as usual
Also
call the doctor if your baby has diarrhea and is less than 6 months old or if
they have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 39 C or higher
- Belly pain
- Blood or pus in their poop, or poop that’s black, white, or red
- Sluggishness
- Vomiting
Treatment of baby
diarrhea
Doctors
usually do not recommend over-the-counter antidiarrheal drugs for children. But
your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for a bacterial infection or an
antiparasitic drug for a parasitic infection.
Infants
with severe diarrhea who become dehydrated will need to go to the hospital to
receive intravenous fluids through their veins.
The
doctor may recommend giving your child an oral rehydration solution. These
foods, which you can buy at the supermarket or pharmacy, contain fluids and electrolytes
and can prevent or treat dehydration.
If
your child is eating solid foods, the doctor may recommend switching to
insipid, starchy foods such as dried bananas, applesauce, and rice cereal until
the diarrhea stops. Breastfeeding mothers may need to adjust their diet to
eliminate foods that can cause diarrhea in the baby.
Infants
with diarrhea should avoid eating anything that can make the condition worse,
including:
- Greasy foods
- Foods that are high in fiber
- Dairy products such as milk and cheese
- Sweets such as cake, cookies, and soda
Diarrhea caused by a viral or bacterial infection is highly contagious. Wash your hands with soap and warm water each time you change your baby's diaper to prevent the spread of infection. Keep the diaper changing area clean and disinfected. Keep the child at home from kindergarten until full recovery.