Question:
What should you do for a baby that has diarrhea?

Answer:
Most diarrhea in children is short-lived and self-limiting. Because young infants can dehydrate quickly they should be watched very carefully. Notify your pediatrician of the problem and make sure the child gets plenty of liquids. Frequently, your pediatrician will recommend fluids that contain electrolytes such a Pedialyte, GeoSol or Gatorade. Try to follow your physicians instructions. If you are nursing he will probably recommend that you continue nursing, possibly in addition to giving extra fluids. If the infant develops signs of moderate or severe dehydration he should be seen at once.

Milk product formulas may increase diarrhea, and your pediatrician may recommend changing formula during the acute phase of diarrhea or suggest using only an oral hydration solution, which can be purchased. After the acute phase of the diarrhea, your pediatrician will tell you how to proceed in reintroducing puree food.

Dehydration signs include:

Mild dehydration:

• dry appearing eyes and crying with decreased or absent tears
• slightly dry mouth
• slightly longer period between wet diapers

Moderate to sever dehydration

• sunken appearing eyes
• sluggish or lethargic
• moderate decrease in urination (decreased wet diapers).
• skin feels dry and not springy (beginning to lose skin turgor)

Severe dehydration

• In infants younger than 6 months the soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the head is sunken.
• No urine output
• Skin lacks turgor (when pinched between fingers fails to spring back to its original shape)
• very lethargic or possibly unconscious

See: diet for diarrhea