Diarrhea in toddlers can be caused by any number of factors. If a viral, bacterial or parasitic infection is present, you will want to consult with your doctor about how to treat your child. But if infectious causes, food allergies and intolerances and the possibility of poisoning have all been eliminated as possible causes, and your child has no fever, vomiting or signs of dehydration, then it's possible that your toddler's still-growing digestive system is just a little out of kilter. Pediatricians call this toddler's diarrhea and it's not at all uncommon. In that case, there are some simple steps you can take to alleviate your child's symptoms.
Less Juice
Drinking large quantities of fruit juice and sweetened drinks can induce diarrhea in toddlers. Try to give your child no more than 4 to 6 ounces of juice a day; cutting back may resolve the problem within a week or two. Remember that you can dilute juice with water if needed. You might also want to cut down on fresh fruit in general for a few days.
Electrolytes
One of the dangers of prolonged diarrhea is dehydration, so make sure your toddler is drinking lots of water. You may also want to give her a pediatric electrolyte solution to drink to help reduce the dehydration risk.
BRAT
The traditional dietary advice to treat diarrhea is known as the BRAT diet, or bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. These foods are mild and easy to digest, nutritious and help bind loose stools. Your child's diet needn't be restricted to these foods, however.
Less Milk
Children with diarrhea sometimes have a hard time digesting cow's milk, so this is one food you might want to avoid for a few days. Give water and solid foods instead. If your child is still breastfeeding, however, continue as usual.
Yogurt
Another good food to feed your toddler during a bout of diarrhea is yogurt with live cultures or added probiotics. The beneficial bacteria in the cultures will help rebalance your child's digestive system.
Fat
If your toddler's diet is too low in fat, it can trigger a form of low-level diarrhea. Toddlers need fat to grow and develop. They should be drinking whole milk at this age and may benefit from additional fats in their solid food intake, as well. Full-fat yogurt, olive oil and nut butters are all good choices for your toddler's diet.
