As pediatricians, we frequently talk about poop. If you’re parent, you do too!  Once a person starts changing soiled diapers multiple times a day, it is hard not to become an expert on poop. This means that any changes to your child’s regular bowel schedule can be strange and confusing. Whether they are changes in color, consistency, or frequency, it can sometimes be hard to know when to call the doctor and when to let things run its course. But first, let’s discuss how to know when your child has diarrhea.

Diarrhea is when stools become too loose, more runny, or more frequent than usual. This can happen frequently and to any child at almost any time. Diarrhea can be caused by many things but the most common causes in kids include:

Infections

Viruses and bacteria can cause diarrhea. Most stomach bugs are from viruses, and sadly, they can cause diarrhea for up to 2 weeks. Viruses typically just need to run their course. Bacteria like salmonella and shigella (sometimes caused by food) can also cause diarrhea.  Parasites can also sometimes cause diarrhea. Your pediatrician will be able to distinguish what has likely caused your diarrhea based on your child’s symptoms.

Medications

Many medications can cause diarrhea. The most common culprits tend to be antibiotics, which can disrupt the gut flora in the body. This is one of the many reasons we only recommend antibiotic use if it is absolutely necessary. Overuse of antibiotics can have many detrimental side effects, the first of which is an upset stomach.

Lactose intolerance

Some people get diarrhea every time they have dairy. This can be a sign of lactose intolerance.

High sugar intake

Yes, sugar and artificial sweeteners can go right through a child’s system and cause loose watery stools every day! Toddlers who guzzle down juices or foods with a lot of sugar may have more diarrhea than the average toddler.  

If you suspect your child may have diarrhea, the first step is to ensure they aren’t acting sick or lethargic. Once you have made sure of this, here are some general do’s and dont’s when it comes to treating diarrhea at home.

DO’s:

LET IT OUT

We don’t recommend any anti-diarrheal medication in children. Please avoid this at all costs. These medications have been shown in many cases to make children more sick. The general rule of thumb is to let the toxins out of your child’s body. Their body is trying to expel something and it’s best to let that happen as naturally as possible.

WATCH FOR SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION

Signs of dehydration can include less urination, absence of tears when crying,  dry mouth, rapid weight loss (water weight), extreme thirst, listlessness and sunken eyes.

KEEP YOUR PEDIATRICIAN INFORMED

If you are concerned, it is always acceptable to talk to your pediatrician especially if there are changes in behavior, concerns for dehydration. Another reason to talk to your provider would be if your child has blood in their stool or if they develop a persistent fever. Talk to your pediatrician if your child has diarrhea for over 2 weeks or is losing weight .

FOCUS ON FLUIDS

Make sure your child is drinking plenty of clear liquids. If they want to eat, it is okay to give your child a regular and normal diet. Studies have shown children do not benefit from the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast).

TAKE PROBIOTICS

Probiotics help our immune system replenish the good bacteria in our gut and can also help slow down the rate of diarrhea. Probiotics are often found over the counter in the children’s vitamin aisles.

DON’Ts:

• Panic! It’s gonna be okay! Kids get diarrhea a lot!

• Prevent your child from eating . As mentioned, try not to restrict their diet if they are hungry.

• Give pepto-bismol or anti-diarrheal medication. This one is so important, we had to mention it twice.

• Stop paying attention to how many stools your child is having, otherwise you won’t know when the diarrhea ends.

We hope these tips were helpful to you and will be a good overall resource for the next time your child develops diarrhea . Most cases of diarrhea improve on their own and do not affect a child’s long-term health or their growth. We recommend talking to your pediatrician if you’re concerned, if your child isn’t acting normally , if there is blood in the stool or if your child has had diarrhea for more than two weeks.

Your PediPals