Diarrhea is a common ailment during childhood and feeding your child the right foods during a bout can help improve his symptoms and help him feel better. KidsHealth reports that diarrhea is not usually a reason to be concerned and can most often be treated at home by feeding your child certain foods to keep his tummy comfortable and help prevent repeat occurrences. If your child's diarrhea lasts for a long time, is accompanied by a fever or has blood or mucus in it, make sure you call your pediatrician right away.
Clear Fluids
With several episodes of diarrhea, your child may begin to experience dehydration. It is important to make sure she drinks plenty of clear liquids until the diarrhea is gone. Oral rehydration solutions are most often recommended by doctors, notes KidsHealth, because they can replace important nutrients better than plain water. There are several brands and flavors available so you can find one that your child is willing to drink. Your doctor can recommend the best one for your child and most are available over-the-counter at grocery and drug stores. Do not offer your child fruit juice or soda, adds Healthy Children, because they can cause her symptoms to worsen.
Starchy Foods
Starchy foods are often bland enough that they do not cause further tummy disruptions. Crackers, cereal and rice are all starchy foods that can help your child's diarrhea symptoms, reports Healthy Children. Dry toast and plain bread are also bland enough to help alleviate symptoms. KidsHealth adds that you can offer your child small portions of his regular diet in addition to bland options. Starchy foods should be offered in smaller portions than what your child regularly eats to make sure his tummy does not get overloaded while he is healing.
Yogurt
According to Healthy Children, foods with probiotics can help restore the healthy bacteria in your child's tummy so she is able to fight off the germs or bacteria causing the diarrhea. Yogurt is one of the most common foods that contain probiotics. Try offering your child some plain yogurt to keep sugar levels in check. Flavored yogurts work just as well if your child does not like plain yogurt, but they are much higher in sugar. Offer your child 2 to 6 ounces of yogurt twice per day, recommends Healthy Children. You can also make sure your child gets probiotics by giving her supplements. Probiotic vitamins or tablets are available at health foods stores as well as many drug stores.
