Diarrhoea In Children

How often should my kid have a bowel movement?

It depends upon how old he or she is:
- In the first week of life, most kids have four or more bowel movements each day. They are soft or liquid. It is normal for some babies to have 10 bowel movements in a day.
- In the first three months, some kids have two or more bowel movements each day. Others have just 1 each week.
- By age 2, most kids have at least one bowel movement each day. They are soft but solid.
- Every child is different. Some have bowel movements after each meal. Others have bowel movements every other day.

How do I know if my child has diarrhoea?

It depends on what’s normal for your child:
For babies, diarrhoea means that bowel movements are more runny or watery than normal, or happening more often than normal. Your child might have twice as many bowel movements as he or she usually has. (In babies, normal stool can be yellow, green, or brown. They can also have things that look like seeds in them.)
Older children with diarrhoea will have 3 or more runny bowel movements in a day.

What are the most common causes of diarrhoea in children?

The most common causes are:

Viruses (“stomach bugs”)
Side effects from antibiotics

What should my child eat and drink when he or she has diarrhoea?

Your baby can continue to consume a normal diet. OK foods include:

Rice, potatoes, and bread
Yogurt
Fruits and vegetables
Milk (unless yourbaby has milk digestionproblems)

What foods and drinks should my child avoid?

These foods might make diarrhoea worse:

Foods that are high in fat
Drinks with lots of sugar

What can I do to treat my child's diarrhoea?

You can:

Make sure he or she drinks enough water and other liquids.
Avoid diarrhoea medicines. They are not usually required for children, and they might be unsafe.

When should I take my kid to meet the doctor?

You should take your kid to the doctor if he or she:

Has bloody diarrhoea
Is younger than twelve months and won’t eat or drink anything for more than a few hours
Has bad belly pain
Is not acting like him or herself
Is low in energy and does not respond to you
Is dehydrated. Signs include:

Dry mouth
Thirst
No urine or wet diapers for 4 to 6 hours in babies and young children, or 6 to 8 hours in older children
No tears when crying