Diarrhea is a common childhood ailment caused by a variety of factors including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and even food sensitivities. Most parents handle diarrhea by using tried-and-true remedies, and there is no cause for concern. Contact a doctor if diarrhea does not subside after 24 hours, if a child has a fever or signs of dehydration, or if stools are black and contain pus or blood.
Replenish Liquids Lost
Dehydration is the biggest concern where diarrhea is concerned, according to the Medical Moment website. Particularly dangerous in children, dehydration occurs when the body has lost too much fluid and electrolytes containing potassium and sodium.
It is important to quickly replace the fluid and electrolytes lost during diarrhea. The Kids Health website recommends an oral rehydration solution (ORS) to replace lost fluids, as many of the "clear liquids" used in the past like soda, ginger ale and chicken broth may make diarrhea worse. ORS products are available over-the-counter in grocery stores and pharmacies, and often end with the letters "lyte." Consult with a pediatrician to determine how much of an ORS to give and for how long.
Avoid Irritating Foods
The Ask Dr. Sears website recommends eliminating irritating foods known to increase or exacerbate diarrhea. With the exception of yogurt, reduce dairy products, as well as apple, pear and cherry juice. White grape juice is an acceptable juice alternative.
BRATY Diet
The Dr. Sears website suggests implementing the BRATY diet with mild to moderate diarrhea. The BRATY diet stands for Bananas, Rice or Rice Cereal, Apple Sauce, Toast and Yogurt. With mild diarrhea, defined as two to four loose stools in one day, use the BRAT diet together with an ORS or white grape juice until stools return to normal. For an otherwise healthy-acting child with moderate diarrhea, defined as four to eight stools per day, implement a smaller-portioned BRATY diet with an ORS or white grape juice.
Probiotics
Probiotics are healthy bacteria found in certain yogurts or vitamins. Both acidophilus and Lactobacillus contain probiotics, and can shorten both the duration and severity of diarrhea, according to a 2002 study appearing in "Pediatrics" and on the American Academy of Pediatrics website. The study found that patients who took Lactobacillus in particular had 1.6 less stools by the second day than those who took a placebo.
