The average toddler suffers, on average, about two episodes of diarrhea per year, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. There are numerous causes, including viral infection, food intolerance, reaction to medication, bacteria, food poisoning or a parasite such as giardia. The main risk to your child is dehydration, which can be a life-threatening condition. Although most diarrhea will pass on its own, certain foods can help ease the diarrhea while others may exacerbate it.
What Is Diarrhea?
Your toddler has diarrhea if his bowel movements are loose and watery at least three times a day. Diarrhea is the body’s way of ridding itself of toxins, parasites or an otherwise upsetting substance and will generally resolve in a day or two, without any intervention. Toddlers should not be given any adult medications to treat diarrhea, as these can be dangerous. Monitor a toddler for dehydration when he has diarrhea. Signs of dehydration typically include thirst, infrequent urination, dark urine, vertigo and tiredness.
Helpful Fluids
Increase the amount of fluids you are giving a toddler suffering from diarrhea. Water is the best liquid to give your child while she is recovering — and she can drink as much of it as she wants. Introducing any new liquids can actually slow healing. Fruit juices and soft drinks can irritate your toddler’s digestion and make the condition worse. A sports drink mixed half-and-half with water can help restore lost electrolytes. Consult your doctor if you want to give a commercially prepared oral hydration solution, as this is rarely necessary.
Helpful Foods
Starchy foods such as cereal, oatmeal, dry crackers, bread, noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, are usually best tolerated by a toddler with diarrhea. If the diarrhea lasts longer than one day, some pretzels or crackers can be given to replace lost sodium. Yogurt can be soothing and replaces lost healthy bacteria. Foods that are greasy, high in sugar or fiber or containing caffeine can worsen diarrhea.
The B.R.A.T. Diet
If your toddler’s diarrhea lasts for more than a couple of days or you wish to follow a more structured approach, use the BRAT diet. The acronym stands for bananas, rice, apples and toast. Advocates of the BRAT diet also suggest you avoid giving a child with diarrhea multiple foods, Central Connecticut State University's Health Service reports. These include greasy foods, dairy products, spicy foods, sardines, salmon, veal, pork, raw vegetables, citrus fruits, and non-citrus fruits such as grapes, cherries, raisins, figs, and rhubarb.
When to See a Pediatrician
Although you can call a pediatrician any time you have a question about your toddler’s well-being, alert the doctor immediately if you notice your child becoming dehydrated, if the diarrhea persists for longer than 24 hours or if she gets worse. A 2-year-old can succumb to dehydration within about a day. A fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit indicates the condition cannot be managed at home. Other dangerous signs include stools containing blood or pus or that appear black or tarry.
