Babies and diarrhea
Adapted from MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.
Retrieved 11/10/10 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001965.htm
Normal or healthy baby stools are soft and loose. Babies have frequent stools during
the first 1-2 months. Because of this, it may be difficult to tell when your baby has
diarrhea.
Most babies have a stool pattern that is typical for them. This pattern may change
slowly over time. Look for the following to help decide whether your baby has diarrhea:
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A sudden increase in how often your baby has stools
More than one stool per feeding
Stools that appear to be more watery
If your baby is feeding poorly, or has nasal congestion or a fever, the changes you
notice are more likely to be diarrhea. Most diarrhea is short-lived. It is usually caused by
a virus and goes away on its own. Other causes of diarrhea include:
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A change in the baby's diet or the breast-feeding mother's diet
Use of antibiotics by the baby or breast-feeding mother
Rare disease such as cystic fibrosis
Infants and young children under three years old can dehydrate quickly, so they should
be watched very carefully. Dehydration means that the body does not have enough
water or liquids.
Signs of mild dehydration:
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Dry eyes and crying with few tears or no tears
Fewer wet diapers than usual
Less active than usual or irritable
Slightly dry mouth
Signs of moderate dehydration:
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Dry skin that is not springy
Sluggish or lethargic
Sunken-appearing eyes
Signs of severe dehydration:
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No urine output in 8 hours
Skin that is pinched between fingers fails to spring back to its original shape
Sunken fontanelle (soft spot on the top of the head) in infants
Very lethargic or possibly unconscious
Home Care
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Make sure the child gets plenty of fluids.
If you are nursing, the doctor will probably recommend that you continue nursing.
Breast-feeding helps prevent diarrhea, and it also speeds recovery.
If your baby still seems thirsty after or between nursing or feeding sessions, you
can add an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte. Often, your pediatrician
will recommend extra fluids that contain electrolytes. Follow the doctor's
instructions. Do not use sports drinks for young infants.
Talk to your baby's pediatrician right away if there are signs of dehydration. If the infant
develops signs of moderate or severe dehydration, he or she should be seen right
away.
The following can help prevent diaper rash:
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Air drying
Frequent diaper changes
Protective ointments and creams, such as Desitin
Rinsing the bottown with water
Cut down on the use of baby wipes during diarrhea.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your pediatrician if:
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An infant under 3 months old has diarrhea
Diarrhea contains blood, mucus, or pus
Fever and diarrhea last for more than 3 days
The child appears dehydrated
The child has more than 8 stools in 8 hours
The diarrhea does not go away in older infants or lasts in children for 2 days or
longer
Vomiting continues for more than 24 hours