Notes from a Real Mom: Dealing with Diarrhea
A few weeks ago we had a stomach bug, and I learned a lot about dealing with diarrhea. If your little one is struck down with diarrhea, here’s what worked for us:
Infants:
-Wait a day to see if it will just run its course.
-Make sure your formula isn’t diluted; full strength formula can be constipating which is good in this case.
-If infant diarrhea lasts longer than 24-48 hours, call your doctor. You might even want to call sooner.
-They will most likely tell you to take your baby off formula (I’m not sure about breast milk) and give him Pedialyte instead for 24 hours.
-Then you’ll do half formula and half Pedialyte for a day or two
-And finally you’ll be back on full formula, and hopefully the diarrhea will be cleared up.
*A note – be sure to stock up on diaper rash ointment and use it liberally. There is nothing worse than a baby who’s tummy and butt hurts.
Toddlers:
I sincerely feel that toddler diarrhea was worse than infant diarrhea. Infants don’t walk with theirs….
To clear up toddler diarrhea:
-Take your toddler off milk and push Pedialyte, water or Gatorade (whatever he’ll drink!) Skip the juices and soda, too.
-Avoid fruits and anything with a lot of fiber as you’re trying to stop him up again, not keep things moving.
-Offer him crackers, pasta, and bananas like they are going out of style. Rice and potatoes (not French Fries) are great also, but my toddler won’t eat them.
-After awhile the diarrhea will solidify, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll keep him on the diet a bit too long and then deal with constipation.
*A note – If your toddler is in Pull-ups and is attacked by a stomach bug, get him out of them and back into REAL diapers. Pull-ups don’t absorb the water in diarrhea and it will simply run out of the diaper onto your child and your floor. Trust me – it’s disgusting and a mess to deal with.
