Toddler Diarrhea

The first thing we need to explore is what causes diarrhea in toddlers.  Most parents immediately jump to the conclusion that it is something in their diet, but in fact diarrhea has many causes, the most common of which in children that age is a stomach virus. Another cause that you may want to consider stress level. If you are in the beginning stages of potty training, it is possible that the stress from trying to keep from going potty before they get to the toilet could cause diarrhea. If your toddler is past the diaper stage, then the most common cause is some type of stomach virus.

A stomach virus will often go away on its own in most cases. However, make sure that you visit your pediatrician if you have done any recent traveling, especially out of the country, in case your child has picked up something out of the ordinary.

The most common infection that causes diarrhea in children is rotavirus, responsible for approximately ten percent of toddler diarrhea cases in the U.S.. It is important to get your child checked out if showing symptoms of this virus, because it can be serious – resulting in approximately 65,000 hospitalizations each year. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea for up to a week. Children are most susceptible to this virus, and almost all children will suffer from it at some point. Natural resistance is built up as your child gets older.

Other causes of diarrhea in toddlers include food intolerance, in which your child is allergic to a particular food, such as children who are lactose intolerant and cannot use milk or other dairy products. Once cause of diarrhea in children and adults alike, that is often overlooked, is a gluten intolerance – or celiac disease. Celiacs are allergic to gluten, which is a protein found in most common grain based products – for example bread and pasta. If your toddlers diarrhea is ongoing and accompanied by bloating and stomach pain, try withholding any food containing gluten from the diet. Make sure to read the labels on all food products, as wheat based products can be found where you wouldn’t expect them. If the symptoms cease after 1-2 weeks, and then reappear when gluten is reintroduced to the diet, talk to your doctor about the possibility that your child might be gluten-intolerant.

Other possible causes, although less frequently, include parasites or other medical conditions. It is important to note that the infections from Rotavirus and parasites are only found in a small number of severe diarrhea cases so if it is an smaller case, then it is unlikely that your baby is infected with the virus. Of course, never substitute your the information contained here for the opinion of your medical provider.

There are a few remedies for toddler diarrhea that you can use to help your child get over the diarrhea but unfortunately, there isn’t a magic pill that will stop the diarrhea completely. The first and most important thing is to keep your child hydrated, to assist in the removal of whatever is causing the diarrhea by the body’s own natural method. You can use regular beverages or specialty drinks like Pedialyte, which prevents dehydration. You can also withhold food from your child for a few hours, to allow the gastrointestinal tract to settle.

Related Articles:

1. Toddler & Infant Diarrhea
2. Toddler & Baby Constipation
3. Common Diarrhea Treatments
4. Paradoxical diarrhea
5. Common Stomach Problems and Associated Remedies

If your infants diarrhea has traces of blood, lasts for more than three days, if your child seems to be violently ill along with the diarrhea, or is less than five months old, you should not attempt home treatment and should instead bring your baby or toddler to the doctor. These symptoms often signal a more serious condition.

Infant Diarrhea

Diarrhea is caused in most instances by a virus. The viruses that cause diarrhea in young children are often not very dangerous, so the primary risk that your child faces when stricken with diarrhea is dehydration. What this means for you is that you must be extremely vigilant in treating your baby or toddler.

If your child has diarrhea, the first thing you need to do is ensure that he or she gets a lot of liquids. Your child may resist the unusual influx of liquids, so it’s up to you to make sure they are drinking enough water and juice. As the parent, it is your responsibility more than your child’s to force them to drink. Most doctors recommend that you watch your young child for most of the day if he comes down with diarrhea.

Some more recommendations:

• If you are still nursing your baby or toddler, you should continue to do so. On top of nursing your child, you should also have them drink plenty of water and juice.

• Watch out for signs of dehydration. Even if you are vigilant in ensuring your child gets enough liquids, they can still become dehydrated. You can tell if your child is becoming dehydrated if he or she has a dry mouth, urinates infrequently, appears tired or lethargic, cries with very few tears, or has dry skin that feels inelastic. If your child begins showing these symptoms along with her diarrhea, you should bring her in to a doctor immediately. Dehydration is the single most dangerous outcome of diarrhea, and is extremely serious. Once the diarrhea begins dehydrating your child, it can be difficult to reverse the process or prevent permanent damage unless professional medical help is sought.

• Do not change your baby or toddler’s standard diet. While your child may attempt to refuse food, it is important that he continues consuming his normal diet due to nutrient loss resulting from the diarrhea. You may even wish to increase your child’s food intake. Try to add yogurt, jello, and rehydrating solutions (these are often sold in your local supermarket) to your child’s diet. These things may relieve the symptoms or even relieve the diarrhea entirely.

Related Articles:

1. Remedies For Toddler Diarrhea
2. Toddler & Baby Constipation
3. Common Diarrhea Treatments
4. Paradoxical diarrhea
5. Newborn Constipation