How to Treat Diarrhea & Stomach Pain in Children
- 1). Give the child extra liquids to prevent dehydration. Water and Pedialyte are good choices. Pedialyte helps the body maintain the proper balance of fluids and electrolytes. Dehydration can be monitored by weighing an infant or child daily to determine whether the child has lost more than 5 percent of his weight. Also, dehydration may be indicated if the child is not urinating as much as usual.
- 2). Make notes concerning the child's weight, the number of diarrhea episodes, the appearance of diarrhea stools, other symptoms and the home treatments used. These notes will be helpful if the child should need to be seen by a doctor.
- 3). Allow the child to eat solid foods as desired. Some doctors may recommend the BRAT-Y diet which includes bananas, rice, applesauce, toast and yogurt. The BRAT-Y diet may help reduce the stomach pain associated with diarrhea. A normal diet is usually fine as well; however, if you or a doctor suspects the diarrhea may be a result of an allergy or lactose intolerance, it may be necessary to eliminate the suspected food items from the diet temporarily to determine the cause of the diarrhea. In addition, some children may experience diarrhea when they consume excessive amounts of fruit juice, fruits or fiber; these foods may need to be decreased or eliminated until the diarrhea subsides.
- 4). Change the child's soiled clothing right away if accidents occur to prevent rashes. If a rash occurs, use diaper rash cream to sooth the skin and promote healing.
- 5). Avoid using over-the-counter antidiarrheal or stomach pain medications. These medications can make the condition worse in children. The only safe over-the-counter treatment for children a supplement that contains lactobacillus bacteria, such as Cultrelle. This medication can help to restore normal bowel function. It can be found at supermarkets and drug stores. It comes in the form of a caplet, but the caplet can be opened and mixed with food.
- 6). Consult a physician if diarrhea or stomach pain persists longer than 24 hours, if the child is urinating infrequently, if the child has blood in his stool or if the child has a fever of 103 degrees or higher.
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