How Do You Stop Diarrhea in Babies?

It’s important to rehydrate your baby before they have lost too many fluids. Start giving them fluids after they have stopped passing loose stools for 30-60 minutes. But don’t feed them forcefully.

_{1 pound = 0.45 kg
1 ounce = 30 mL
*Note: This is the minimum amount of fluid that a normal child requires. Most children drink more than this.}

Other tips to keep in mind when rehydrating your baby include the following:

• Start with small amounts of fluid every 5-10 minutes. Use a teaspoon instead of a cup.
• If your child vomits the fluid, wait at least 30 minutes before offering again.
• Give your baby clear fluids instead of juice or carbonated drinks. Do not give them sports drinks and use oral rehydration solutions instead.
• If your baby is breastfeeding:
  • Continue giving them breast milk.
  • Offer an oral rehydration solution between feedings if the diarrhea is severe.
  • Once the baby’s stools aren’t so loose, stop giving them the oral rehydration solution.
• If your baby is bottle-feeding:
  • Give them 30-60 mL of fluid every 30 minutes.
  • Offer an oral rehydration solution between feedings if the diarrhea is severe.
  • If formula milk worsens the diarrhea, stop and try rice or soy formula instead after consulting your doctor.
• If your child is on solid food:
  • Don’t rush to feed them.
  • Don’t force your child to eat, especially if they have stomach pain and cramping.
  • If your child finds it difficult to swallow, give them frozen juice bars or ice chips.
  • If your child feels hungry, give them a small portion of bland food, such as rice or crackers, and avoid spicy or oily foods. The BRAT diet is ideal: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. 
  • If symptoms worsen with food, go back to clear liquids.
  • Resume the child's normal diet gradually as they start to feel better. If diarrhea or cramping worsens again, go back to a simple diet or clear liquids.

Zinc supplements are a new intervention for treating acute and long-standing diarrheal episodes in children. Many studies have proven that administering zinc along with new low osmolarity oral rehydration solutions or salts can reduce the duration and severity of diarrheal episodes in a child. Ask your doctor about what dose is appropriate for your child.

While probiotics for babies are also available, there isn’t enough evidence as to whether they work. Don’t give them to your baby without asking your doctor first.

There are two vaccines against rotavirus, which can prevent diarrhea caused by rotavirus in children. The CDC recommends RotaTeq to be given in three doses (at 2, 4, and 6 months of age) or Rotarix to be given in two doses (at 2 and 4 months of age).

If your baby has the following symptoms, consult a doctor immediately:

• Signs of dehydration:
  • Dry and sticky mouth
  • No tears when crying 
  • No wet diaper for 6 hours
  • Sunken fontanel (space between the bones of the skull)
• Diarrhea for more than 24 hours
• Fever of 101 F or higher
• Black or tarry stools
• Presence of blood or pus in the stool