Starchy foods for babies with diarrhea

When your child has diarrhea: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools. For some children, diarrhea is mild and will go away within a few days. For others, it may last longer. It can make your child lose too much fluid (dehydrated) and feel weak.

The stomach flu is a common cause of diarrhea. Medical treatments, such as antibiotics and some cancer treatments can also cause diarrhea.

This article speaks of diarrhea in children over 1 year of age.

It is easy for a child with diarrhea to lose too much fluid and become dehydrated. Lost fluids need to be replaced. For most children, drinking the kinds of fluids they normally have should be enough.

Some water is OK. But too much water alone, at any age, can be harmful.

Other products, such as Pedialyte and Infalyte, may help keep a child well-hydrated. These products can be bought at the supermarket or pharmacy.

Popsicles and Jell-O can be good sources of fluids, especially if your child is vomiting. You can slowly get large amounts of fluids into children with these products.

You may also give your child watered-down fruit juice or broth.

Do not use medicines to slow down your child's diarrhea without talking to a doctor first. Ask your child's health care provider if using sports drinks is OK.

In many cases, you can continue feeding your child as usual. The diarrhea will normally go away in time, without any changes or treatment. But while children have diarrhea, they should:

Eat small meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals.
Eat some salty foods, such as pretzels and soup.

When necessary, changes in the diet may help. No specific diet is recommended. But children often do better with bland foods. Give your child foods such as:

Baked or broiled beef, pork, chicken, fish, or turkey
Cooked eggs
Bananas and other fresh fruits
Applesauce
Bread products made from refined, white flour
Pasta or white rice
Cereals such as cream of wheat, farina, oatmeal, and cornflakes
Pancakes and waffles made with white flour
Cornbread, prepared or served with very little honey or syrup
Cooked vegetables, such as carrots, green beans, mushrooms, beets, asparagus tips, acorn squash, and peeled zucchini
Some desserts and snacks, such as Jell-O, popsicles, cakes, cookies, or sherbet
Baked potatoes

In general, removing seeds and skins from these foods is best.

Use low-fat milk, cheese, or yogurt. If dairy products are making the diarrhea worse or causing gas and bloating, your child may need to stop eating or drinking dairy products for a few days.

Children should be allowed to take their time returning to their normal eating habits. For some children, a return to their regular diet can also bring a return of diarrhea. This is often due to mild problems the gut has while absorbing regular foods.

Children should avoid certain kinds of foods when they have diarrhea, including fried foods, greasy foods, processed or fast foods, pastries, donuts, and sausage.

Avoid giving children apple juice and full-strength fruit juices, as they can loosen stool.

Have your child limit or cut out milk and other dairy products if they are making diarrhea worse or causing gas and bloating.

Your child should avoid fruits and vegetables that can cause gas, such as broccoli, peppers, beans, peas, berries, prunes, chickpeas, green leafy vegetables, and corn.

Your child should also avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks at this time.

When children are ready for regular foods again, try giving them:

Bananas
Crackers
Chicken
Pasta
Rice cereal

Call your child's provider if your child has any of these symptoms:

Much less activity than normal (not sitting up at all or not looking around)
Sunken eyes
Dry and sticky mouth
No tears when crying
Not urinated for 6 hours
Blood or mucus in the stool
Fever that does not go away
Stomach pain

Easter JS. Pediatric gastrointestinal disorders and dehydration. In: Bakes KM, Buchanan JA, Moreira ME, Byyny R, Pons PT, eds. Emergency Medicine Secrets. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 65.

Kotloff KL. Acute gastroenteritis in children. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 366.

Schiller LR, Sellin JH. Diarrhea. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 16.

Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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Baby Diarrhea Foods | Foods to Feed Baby with Diarrhea

Diarrhea in infants can be a very worrisome occurrence as most parents fear dehydration and the worsening of painful diaper rash. When baby has diarrhea, many parents wonder what foods may help “bind” baby up and stop the diarrhea.

What are the possible cause of diarrhea in babies?

Children can have acute and chronic forms of diarrhea. Infection with the rotavirus is the most common cause of acute childhood diarrhea. Rotavirus diarrhea usually resolves itself within 3 to 10 days. Children who are 6 to 32 weeks old can be vaccinated against the rotavirus with a vaccine called Rotateq. Here are a few of the common causes of diarrhea:

food sensitivities
bacteria
viruses
parasites
medications
functional bowel disorders

If your child has diarrhea, do not hesitate to call the doctor for advice. Diarrhea is especially dangerous in newborns and infants, leading to dehydration in just a day or two. A child can die from dehydration within a few days. The main treatment for diarrhea in children is rehydration to replace lost fluid quickly. NDDCHI

What foods should you feed a baby when he has diarrhea? What foods should you avoid when baby has diarrhea?

Please offer your baby small meals when he has diarrhea. Offering smaller meals will allow baby’s digestive system to work slowly. The tiny intestines and still fragile digestive system will take a bit of time to get back on track and healed. Don’t worry if it takes 3 to 4 days for your baby’s stools to get back to “normal”; healing takes time.

B.R.A.T – When baby has diarrhea, remember B.R.A.T.

Bananas – Rice – Applesauce – Toast

The foods that make up the B.R.A.T diet are those foods that will help cause the bulking and hardening of the stool. These foods include grains, and certain fruits. Below are more foods that will help firm-up and bind baby’s stools when diarrhea occurs.

Bananas
Rice and/or Homemade Rice Cereal
Breads – specifically toasted breads
Pastas
White potato
Yogurt
Applesauce

Foods to Avoid with Infant Diarrhea

Avoid any foods that are used to help alleviate constipation and certain fruits as well. Below is a list of foods to avoid when baby has diarrhea:

dairy products (yogurt is the exception due to its helpful bacteria – consult your baby’s pediatrician about feeding yogurt with diarrhea)
Fruits that begin with the letter “P” such as peaches, pears, prunes, and plums
apricots and other “Stone” fruits are typically known to help loosen stools so avoid those fruits as well
High Fiber foods

Applesauce vs. Diluted Apple Juice

As we mention on our page about Infant Constipation, please keep in mind that Applesauce is actually a binding food. Applesauce is the whole of the fruit. It contains a higher level of pectin – which firms up stools and may thus lead to constipation.

Apple juice contains more of the sugars found in the apple and it also contains more actual liquid; hence apple juice is a good remedy to help relieve constipation.

Learn More about Diarrhea at the National Institutes of Health

Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.

Bring on the BRAT!

Bananas, rice cereals, applesauce and bread are some great foods to offer your baby when he has a bout of diarrhea!

It is important to always consult your baby’s pediatrician when baby has had diarrhea for 2 days(or longer) and his or her skin does not “spring-back” when gently pushed. The inability of the skin to “spring-back” suggests baby may be suffering from dehydration.

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15 home remedies for diarrhea in children

mass movements or diarrhea This is how toxins and bacteria are removed from the body. Digestive. If the child has diarrhea, the stool will be watery and unpleasant. He will have frequent bowel movements and may cry due to insomnia. Babies with. Can Teething They may have loose movements, but the main cause of diarrhea is a viral or bacterial infection.

Diarrhea in infants and young children can occur for a variety of reasons, and it is important to identify the cause before starting treatment:

Children under XNUMX often get rotavirus, which causes diarrhea.
can cause sensitivity to milk, eggs, or peanuts, loose movements, so it's best to know if your child has any of these allergies.
Any type of antibiotic can kill beneficial bacteria in the stomach, which can lead to poor movement.
If the environment is unclean and the child crawls, puts toys or other objects in his mouth, he may upset the stomach.

Because children's immune systems are not as strong as adults, they are more susceptible to stomach problems such as diarrhea or mobility. It is better to try home remedies than to give over-the-counter medications. Fortunately, there are many effective natural remedies for diarrhea in children. You should always consult your doctor if the condition persists for more than 48 hours to avoid serious consequences.

1. Oral rehydration solution (ORS)

This is an old home remedy for diarrhea in a 2 month old. ORS can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared at home. Boil one liter of filtered water and let cool. Add six teaspoons of sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt to the water and stir until completely dissolved. Give your child ORS regularly to prevent dehydration and compensate for lost salts and fluids. If you can't make it at home, buy it from your nearest pharmacist and start feeding her. Rice water is also a great way to replenish lost fluids and salts.

2. Banana

Children lose a lot of Potassium due to diarrhea. It must be renewed. Includes banana It contains potassium, zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamins A and B6. It turns out to be a great source of energy, as diarrhea is debilitating, and luckily, kids love the taste of bananas. It is available all year round and is a staple food in most households.

3. Ginger

Ginger is good for the digestive system and is an effective remedy for diarrhea. Mix XNUMX teaspoon of ginger, a little cinnamon powder, a pinch of cumin powder and XNUMX teaspoon Honey. Give this mixture to your child three times a day. You can also add nutmeg before giving it to your child.

4. Puffed Rice

Soak a bowl of puffed rice in a glass of water for about 15-20 minutes. Strain the rice and give it to your child twice a day to get rid of diarrhea quickly. Unpolished white rice is high in starch and easy to digest. It can be boiled in water, strained and given to a child to get rid of diarrhea. This is an effective home remedy for wiggling newborns, especially in India where puffed rice is commonly found.

5. Apples

Apples are rich in pectin, which helps improve bowel movements. Wash the apple, boil in water and mash until soft and tender. digestion. Not only will this get rid of his diarrhea, but it will also give your baby some much-needed energy.

6. Red lentil soup.

Your child will refuse to eat if they have diarrhea. However, he needs to maintain his energy levels, and this is where red lentils can help. These superfoods are rich in protein and energy, making them healthy and easy to digest. Take a cup of lentils, boil them in water and let cool. After a while, the lentils will settle. Separate the water from it and give it to the child. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the taste.

7. Milk.

Homemade yogurt is effective against germs and bacteria. It quickly soothes the digestive system and is very tasty. Add salt and black pepper to it and let the child drink. Recommended for children over 8 months old.

8. Coconut water.

In addition to the great health benefits, coconut water is a great liquid to help your child recover from diarrhea. Not only does it taste good, but it also helps the body replenish lost fluids. Coconut water is recommended to give the child at least 2-3 times a day.

9. Cottage cheese.

Homemade yogurt and yogurt help restore good bacteria in your baby's digestive system. It is the most suitable bowel food for diarrhea. Lassi and homemade yogurt (no sugar) also contain probiotics, so don't think twice before giving it to your child.

10. Carrot juice.

Your child will need to replenish lost energy when he has diarrhea. carrots are a great source of energy during times like these. Carrot juice or puree can be served several times throughout the day. If your child is over a year old, carrot juice should be fine.

11. Foods rich in starch.

If you are on a semi-solid/solid diet for your small group, you can opt for starchy foods such as potatoes and rice cereal. Potatoes contain a lot of starch, which helps babies get rid of mobility quickly. Boil potatoes, mash until soft and tender, then add a pinch of salt to it. Roasted cumin seeds can also be added as a powder to help prevent gas. Mashed potatoes can be served XNUMX times a day.

12. Lemon

exist lemon In most families, this is an excellent home remedy for loosening in children. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a reliable and readily available remedy. A spoonful of lemon juice 4-5 times a day can help with diarrhea and other stomach problems. Your baby's stomach will feel comfortable, and the PH balance in his body will also be restored.

13. Mint

Mint leaves, also known as field mint, have many antibacterial properties. They help regulate digestion and are therefore highly recommended for the treatment of mobility in both children and adults. A bunch of mint leaves will give you a spoonful of mint juice. Add a teaspoon of honey and also squeeze out a few drops of lemon juice. Mix the mixture thoroughly before giving it to a child. You can give this juice to your child 2-3 times a day. Do not use this on infants under 2 years of age.

14. Nutmeg

This powerful home remedy is known to help with frequent bouts of diarrhea in babies. In India, it is known as nutmeg. You can make a paste by mixing nutmeg powder and water and give it to your child.

15. arrowroot

Sagittarius is another form of powdered starch that is a good supplement to combat mobility in children. Thanks to its allergen-free properties, it soothes your baby's tummy. It also does wonders for hydrating the body. Make a thin porridge by adding arrowroot powder to water or cottage cheese and feed it to your baby.

If your child refuses to eat anything during diarrhea, it is best not to force him to feed him. Try feeding after long breaks until he gets hungry and refuses to eat. Babies under one year old should be seen by a doctor before trying home remedies. What you can do is increase the amount of fluid in your child's diet. If symptoms other than mobility appear and home remedies are ineffective, talk to your pediatrician at Location.

how to treat and what to feed? How to treat dehydration in a child

You carefully followed the preventive measures - washed your hands and fruits, watched the shelf life of food, but the child still caught diarrhea and vomiting. How to treat an intestinal infection or poisoning? How to compensate for dehydration in a child? What diet to follow during illness? Says blogger Dr. Daria.

The main treatment for intestinal infections is to correct dehydration that may occur with vomiting or diarrhea.

Signs of dehydration (when the situation is close to critical):

the child pees less than once every 4-6 hours;
cries without tears;
the fontanel sinks in the baby;
dry tongue and mouth;
severe drowsiness;
decrease in skin elasticity when the collected fold does not straighten out for a long time.

Antivirals are generally ineffective in these situations, interferons are not proven effective, and antibiotics should only be prescribed by a doctor if infection is confirmed. You need to understand that the independent and uncontrolled prescription of antibiotics can increase diarrhea, and in the future, immunity to certain types of antibiotics will form, and there will be nothing to treat.

Antimicrobial agents stand apart, they are also called intestinal antiseptics. Usually they are not absorbed from the intestines, they are quite safe and can be used on their own in acute situations when you are on a trip and do not know the cause of the disease: poisoning or a viral infection. Such drugs will work well for food poisoning, but personally I prefer to start and most often be limited to sorbent therapy. In viral infections, intestinal antiseptics are ineffective.

How to treat a child with diarrhea and vomiting

Correction of dehydration - replenishment of fluid, glucose, sodium salts, chlorine, which are primarily needed for the functioning of the most important systems: cardiovascular and nervous. Drinking with water, strongly diluted compote. If any intake of liquid causes vomiting, you have to drink from a spoon or from a syringe, little by little, but often.

It is not necessary to deny breastfeeding to babies, but try to combine it with drinking clean water, since breast milk is still food and can provoke vomiting more.

"He doesn't drink water", "I can't do it" - what to say to these parents' excuses? You need to understand that the state of severe dehydration is life-threatening, especially for babies, in whom a critical condition can occur very quickly. Therefore, if you cannot cope on your own, call an ambulance, and instead of drinking, you will be offered an intravenous drip of liquid.

There are ready-made preparations for replenishing the water-salt balance. For adults, Regidron is traditionally used, but for children under 3 years old this is not the best option, since for babies it contains too much sodium, and this is a risk of developing vascular disorders and increasing diarrhea.

So-called low-osmolar solutions have been developed for children: Biogaya, Regidron Bio, Hydrovit (there are other preparations, but they have disadvantages - they contain chemical flavors or potential allergens (carrots), which are toxic with excessive use of herbs, such as fennel).

Sorbents intake. These are substances that absorb and collect toxic metabolic products during poisoning. In evidence-based medicine, it is believed that taking such drugs shortens the time of diarrhea by about a day, but it seems to me that this is not bad, especially since, according to my observations, very often you can get by with only sorbents and no more drugs will be needed.

Sorbents also have a fixative property, which is valuable in intestinal disorders.

Be sure to follow the rules of taking: the sorbent is taken at least one hour before meals and 1.5–2 hours after. The more pronounced the problem of diarrhea, the more often the sorbent can be taken, observing the dosages by age or weight.

Taking medications to restore intestinal microflora . Unfortunately, it is very difficult to predict which drug is suitable for whom and whether it will work, since the intestinal microflora is different for everyone, it is also difficult to prove the effect, but it is not forbidden to try to use them. But not in one go with sorbents.
Antipyretics are used as needed. Please note that if the intestinal problems are associated with a virus, then by bringing down the temperature below 38.5 °, you lengthen the recovery time.
Antispasmodics. Drugs that reduce cramps and pain in the abdomen are best taken after a doctor's examination, since when used independently, you can mask the signs of dangerous diseases similar to infectious ones, such as appendicitis.

How to eat in case of poisoning or intestinal infection

The main purpose of the diet for acute intestinal problems:

maximum mechanical, chemical and thermal respect for the gastrointestinal tract, reduction of fermentation processes;
food must have enveloping, absorbent, astringent properties;
food should be mashed, without coarse fibers that stimulate motor skills;
food is warm, but neither cold nor hot;
food intake should not require large enzyme costs (in case of poisoning, the pancreas produces fewer enzymes), give a load on the liver (fatty, fried, spicy). Strict exclusion of all variants of dairy and sour-milk products.

My tips for eating on poison days:

Listen to yourself or observe your child's needs. If you do not feel like eating, then in the first days of the acute period - only sorbents and drinking with electrolyte mixtures.
If you are still hungry and eating does not cause frequent stools and vomiting, follow the food requirements above.
Enter products in a specific order.
Slowly, within 2 weeks, return to your usual diet. Why smoothly, if you want cucumbers and cutlets? In order not to undermine the digestive organs that are working at the limit, otherwise the inflammatory process may become chronic or last longer.

Accordingly, you will no longer absorb and synthesize vitamins, the incoming food will be digested worse, forming allergization, skin problems.

An ideal product for digestion is cereals, in our case polished white rice, buckwheat, oatmeal. Grated, boiled for a long time in water. Cereals better contribute to the restoration of microflora.

If you feel sick and vomit or cereals stagnate in the stomach for a long time, causing heaviness (and there is hunger), you can eat fast-carbohydrate, starchy foods: wheat crackers, dryers, instant baby cereals (buckwheat, rice), mashed potatoes (sweet potato, parsnip) , starchy non-acidic jelly. They are better for assimilation, worse for microflora.

Drink tea, cocoa without sugar and additives, eat blueberries. These foods are rich in tannin, which has astringent properties. However, do not overdo it: tannin also dehydrates. From herbs, St. John's wort or chamomile is quite suitable.
Refined sugar is undesirable, as it stimulates the growth of "bad" microflora, but in small quantities, for example, it is present in electrolyte mixtures.

How to feed a child after poisoning

The general scheme of nutrition is something like this:

Days 1-3 — fasting with desoldering, or rice-cereals (ideal) or fast-carb options — drying, starchy jelly.
4-5th day - cereals, you can try some boiled vegetables.
6-7th day - cereals and thermally processed vegetables.
8-9th day - you can add a baked apple, egg white.
10-11th day - fish, some seasonal fruits.
12-14th day - optional legumes, meat, seeds, nuts.

I consciously do not include milk, but if you really like dairy products, then include them also after the 14th day.

And now I'll give you a couple of recipes so you don't get bored when you're sick.

Blueberry jelly

Pour 30 g of blueberries with water, boil for 10-15 minutes, leave on low heat, strain, add sugar, boil. 10 g of potato starch, diluted with cold water, without letting it boil, remove from heat and add a couple of drops of lemon.

Kissel can be poured over pudding made from semolina frozen in a mold.