Generally caused by gastrointestinal infections brought on by bacteria, parasites or a virus, diarrhea is a highly contagious and common ailment among toddlers. According to FamilyDoctor.org, diarrhea is a way for the body to rid itself of the infection, which usually only lasts a few days. Antibiotics or anti-diarrhea medicines may interfere with the body's ability to heal and should not be used unless prescribed by a physician. Contact a physician if your toddler has signs of dehydration, blood in his stools, abdominal pain for over two hours or a fever higher than 102 degrees.
Hydration
According to FamilyDoctor.org, diarrhea becomes dangerous when dehydration occurs. Frequents bouts of diarrhea cause the body to lose essential fluids and electrolytes. Encourage your child to drink fluids to avoid dehydration. For a toddler who is breastfeeding, continue to offer your child breast milk. The fluids and electrolytes in breast milk help prevent dehydration.Water alone does not provide adequate amounts of potassium, sodium and other essential nutrients when replacing lost fluids and electrolytes. An oral hydration solution (ORS) contains the necessary balance of salt, potassium and additional nutrients needed to replace body fluids lost during diarrhea. Purchase an ORS at a grocery store or pharmacy. KidsHealth.org advises against making your own ORS unless your physician provides a precise recipe.
Bland Foods
Feed your child bland foods such as bananas, rice, saltine crackers and toast for the first few hours after a bout of diarrhea. Avoid foods such as ice cream, fried food or pudding. According to FamilyDoctor.org, these foods contain a lot of sugar and fat that may irritate your toddler's stomach and digestive tract. Avoid dairy products for 4 to 7 days. Additional foods may be added to bland foods after 48 hours.
Prevention
While it may not be possible to prevent toddlers from ever experiencing a bout of diarrhea, there are ways to decrease the risk of infection. Ensure your child is eating a healthy diet with minimal sugar and properly cooked meat. Always refrigerate meat as soon as possible and avoid giving your child rare or pink meat. Wash produce before eating since produce can carry germs such as E. coli or salmonella. Encourage frequent hand washing after using the restroom and before eating. Toddlers tend to suck their thumbs, eat finger foods and bite their nails, making it easy for infectious germs to enter the body. According to KidsHealth.org, washing yours and your child's hands is the most effective method of preventing diarrheal infections. Wash your hands after changing a diaper, using the restroom or handling uncooked meat.
