Most kids suffer from diarrhea at some point during childhood. While most cases are not severe, diarrhea and loss of fluids increases your child's risk of dehydration. A virus, parasite or bacteria most often cause diarrhea. Hydrating your child and feeding him bland foods may help relieve diarrhea symptoms and prevent dehydration. Call your child's doctor immediately if your child has bloody stools, severe abdominal pain or a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fluids
Care for a child suffering from diarrhea begins with hydration. Although water helps replace fluids, it does not contain the sodium and nutrients needed to fight dehydration. An oral rehydrating solution, or ORS, replenishes sodium and electrolyte levels as well as lost fluids. You can purchase an ORS at your local grocer in the baby food or beverage aisle. Avoid dark sodas as a hydrating solution for children with diarrhea. Dark sodas have high amounts of sugar, which may irritate the stomach.
BRATY Diet
Dr. William Sears recommends the BRATY diet for children who suffer from diarrhea. The diet consists of bananas, rice or rice cereal, applesauce, plain toast and yogurt. These foods provide nutrients during bouts of diarrhea without irritating the stomach. Binding foods such as these are easy to digest and help harden your child's stools. After 24 hours, you may introduce other foods if your child is able to tolerate them. Most children return to their normal diets within 3 to 4 days.
Severity
The severity of your child's diarrhea plays a role in how much your child can or will eat. You should give children who experience mild diarrhea -- 2 to 4 loose bowel movements within 24 hours -- foods from the BRATY diet and an oral hydrating solution. If your child suffers from moderate diarrhea -- 4 to 8 loose stools in 24 hours -- feed him small amounts from the BRATY diet and plenty of fluids. If your child has more than 10 loose stools in a 24-hour period, contact your pediatrician and offer an oral hydrating solution or ice pops.
Foods to Avoid
Some foods may further irritate your child's stomach and worsen diarrhea. Avoid feeding your child dairy products with the exception of yogurt. Dairy products, such as milk, are difficult for damaged intestines to digest. Juices with a high sorbitol sugar content, such as apple or pear juice, draw water into your child's intestines and prolong diarrhea. Offer white grape juice, which does not contain sorbitol, as a juice alternative.
