Diarrhea in children - diet

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In most cases, you should continue feeding your baby or child as usual. Bowel rest was once the treatment of choice, but now it is believed that continuing feeding will result in diarrhea that is easier to manage. Most children can keep up with the nutrients they lose through diarrhea, if they increase the amount of food they take in.

For babies, breastfeeding or formula feeding should almost always be continued.

Many children develop mild and temporary lactose intolerance. Continuing dairy foods may make the diarrhea last longer, but it can also allow a faster return to a regular diet. Babies who eat solid foods may continue to do so, as long as they can keep it down.

A full appetite is often the last behavior to return after an illness, and children should be allowed to take their time returning to normal eating habits. There is no specific diet that is recommended for diarrhea, but children usually tolerate bland foods better. Bulking agents, like starches, fresh fruits, and vegetables help create more solid stool. Fruit juices can loosen stool.

Fluid is very important because it is easy for a child with diarrhea to become dehydrated. Dehydration is a serious condition in babies and young children. Lost fluids need to be replaced. Replacing fluids (rehydration) through drinking can be used for all but the most seriously dehydrated children, or those who can't keep fluids down.

For most children, any fluid they normally drink should be adequate. Too much water alone, at any age, can be harmful, because water does not have any sugars or important electrolytes, such as sodium. Specific rehydration solutions include Rehydralyte and the World Health Organization’s Oral Rehydration Solution. Other products such as Pedialyte and Infalyte may help keep a child properly hydrated, and prevent dehydration. Some of these solutions are available at the supermarket or pharmacy and you do not need a prescription, although you should consult your physician for their use in infants.