Download What About Diarrhea

Common Infant Problems
(birth through 1 year)
What About Diarrhea?
What is diarrhea?
Your baby has diarrhea when he has three
or more watery stools (bowel movements)
in one day or when his stools become more
frequent and watery than usual. Diarrhea can
be dangerous if not treated quickly, because
it can lead to severe loss of fluid from the body
(dehydration).
Severe Diarrhea or Dehydration
When should I call the doctor? If your baby has any
of the following problems, call your doctor or clinic
NOW:
• seems cold, listless, floppy – or won’t wake up
• dry, sunken eyes, dry mouth or tongue, or cries
without tears
• blood, mucus, or pus in the diaper or stool,
or black stools after 4 days of age
• diarrhea and vomiting
• dark, yellow urine in the diaper, or no urine
for over 6 hours
• refuses to take the breast or bottle
• more than three watery stools in one day
or diarrhea that lasts more than one day
• a fever above 99 degrees Fahrenheit
Ask your doctor about giving fluids to your
baby.
Mild Diarrhea
If my baby has diarrhea, what should
I do? If your baby is not dehydrated,
you can help prevent dehydration
by increasing fluids. If you are
breastfeeding, continue to nurse
your baby. Infants fed human
milk can be nursed safely
during episodes of
diarrhea.
Do NOT give sweet or salty drinks such
as fruit or vegetable juices, soda, or
any sports drinks such as Gatorade.
Electrolyte solutions from the store are
best to give your baby. Follow the directions
on the bottle or get directions from your
doctor or clinic. Electrolyte solutions from the
store include:
Pediatric Electrolyte
Kao Lectrolyte
Pedialyte
Infalyte
If you have no way to get a store electrolyte
solution, you can make a mixture that you can give
your baby if he is over 4 months old.
Recipe for Homemade Electrolyte Solution
½ to 1 cup infant rice cereal
2 cups boiled water, cooled
¼ level teaspoon salt (it is very important
to measure salt with a real ¼-teaspoon
measuring spoon)
Slowly add the water and salt to the cereal.
Stir until well mixed. Make the mixture as thick
as possible and still drinkable.
Give in small amounts, about one teaspoon
every 2–3 minutes. Do not give the
homemade electrolyte mixture for any
longer than 12 hours unless your doctor
tells you to.
If your baby is formula-fed, start
re-feeding within 24 hours or
as soon as possible after
starting either the storebought or homemade
electrolyte
solution. (OVER)
If you cannot buy or make the electrolyte
solution, call your doctor for advice about giving
fluids to your baby.
If your baby is 6 months old or older and eats solids, offer small
portions of infant rice cereal; cooked, mashed noodles; or mashed
bananas. These foods can reduce the amount of stools passed. Do not force
your baby to eat if he refuses.
Medications
Do not give medicine to your baby unless your doctor tells you to.
What can I do to help prevent diarrhea?
• Wash your hands with soap and water before making and eating meals; before you prepare
your baby’s food or bottles; before feeding your baby; and after using the toilet, changing diapers,
sneezing, or coughing into your hands.
• Wash your baby’s hands often and clean under his fingernails with soap and water — especially after
diaper changes.
• Regularly wash any toys or things your baby puts into her mouth.
• Breastfeed your baby.
• Boil bottles and equipment for breastmilk or formula for five minutes.
• For babies 3 months and younger boil all water used for making formula in a covered pot for three
minutes and let it cool before mixing.
• Throw away breastmilk or formula left in the bottle after each feeding.
• Keep prepared or open cans of formula in the refrigerator and throw them away after two days.
• Never feed directly from a jar of baby food. Always use a clean spoon to take the baby food from the jar
and put it into a dish. When your baby finishes, throw out any baby food left in the dish.
• If you mash fresh fruits and vegetables for your baby, first wash them with soapy water and then
rinse well.
• Refrigerate foods that will spoil immediately after you use them.
Do not give your baby:
• raw milk or apple juice, because they have not been pasteurized to destroy harmful bacteria.
• boiled milk.
• more than 4–6 ounces of fruit juice a day.
• food from your mouth, fork, or spoon.
Do not change your baby’s diapers where you prepare or eat foods.
This is one in a series of handouts to help parents
and caregivers handle common infant problems.
© 2005 Department of State Health Services.
Nutrition Services Section. All rights reserved.
stock no. 13-123
rev. 05/05