What can i do about my 8 month olds diaherra?

Answer 1

First off you need to find out what is causing the diarrhea. Because viruses usually cause diarrhea in children. This is why most children with diarrhea get better on their own, without any specific medications or antibiotics. Typically with diarrhea, a child may have associated vomiting, as well as a low-grade fever. In most cases the illness lasts for three to six days. Often, there is a history of contact with a person who has had similar symptoms. The main concern when dealing with diarrhea is to prevent dehydration. Children, especially younger ones, can easily become dehydrated if they lose more fluid than they take in. So taking care of them is like playing "catch-up"; with the goal being for them to drink enough to make up for the fluid lost in the diarrhea. So, it is very important to be able to recognize the signs of dehydration which include:

Less frequent urination (less than 6 wet diapers per day, in babies)

No tears when crying,
Dry or sticky mouth,
Weight loss
Extreme thirst
It is also important for parents to be able to know when to seek immediate medical attention. You should take your child to a doctor immediately if:
There are signs of dehydration, or
Your child is younger than six months, or
There is blood in the stool,or
There is frequent vomiting preventing him/her from drinking, or
Your child complains of abdominal pain, looks or behaves unwell and/or has high fever
Fortunately, in most cases though, the treatment is simply to give the child adequate amounts of fluid, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Recently, doctors have modified their approach to mild cases of diarrhea and usually do not change the child's diet at all. In moderate illness, specific liquids are used called "oral rehydration solutions". Never give only water to a child who is vomiting or has diarrhea. This can be dangerous. The body needs a certain (right) amount of salt and sugar which are not in adequate amounts in water nor in watered-down juice or soft drinks. Only "oral rehydration solutions" such as Pedialyte or Infalyte contain the right amount of sugar and salt. Generally milk can be continued as long as it does not make the diarrhea worse. Breastfeeding can usually continue as well. Also, if a child is hungry, let him/her eat.

In severe cases of diarrhea and dehydration - and they are relatively rare - the only treatment is the administration of intravenous fluids in a hospital setting. Although each child is different, and treated based on the individual situation, anti-diarrhea medicines should not be used. They are not helpful and indeed may be harmful. In most children with diarrhea, stool tests or other tests are not necessary. However, if a physician suspects a bacteria as the cause, then a stool culture (a test for bacteria) will be sent. Clues to a bacterial cause include, blood in the stool, a prolonged course of diarrhea, and contact with someone who has had bacterial induced diarrhea.

Answer 2

If it is truly diarrhea, seeing a doctor about it is not a bad idea. However, if it is just a very loose stool, it can be fixed with a couple of diet changes. If they drink a lot of juice, water it down, or limit intake. You can encourage dairy products like plain yogurt, or cheese to help prevent stools from becoming too loose. It works. I have two children and you'll notice a difference within a day or two.

I have a friend who took her son to a specialist for what she thought was diarrhea, and the specialist encouraged them to give the baby yogurt first before he started writing prescriptions. It worked for them. Can't hurt to try.

Answer 3

Determining what is causing the diarrhea is the top priority. If you have just started your baby on a new food or juice, then take it away and see if that clears up the problem. My son could not drink 100% fruit juices with or without water in them until he turned 4 years old without having major bouts with diarrhea and diaper rash. I almost lost it when I found out someone gave him applejuice recently, but he hasn't had any problems from it and loves to drink it now.

Answer 4

Feed the poor thing lots of bananas, just mash them up well and, if you have to, you can mix a little formula with the mashed bananas to make them a little thinner. You should check with your dr. as you can probably give the baby Kaopectate. Do not feed the baby apples in any form or give apple juice as that is how you treat constipation! Good luck and I hope the baby feels better soon.

Answer 5

If it is diarrhea and no vomiting don't worry to much.You could do pedialyte if you think your baby is showing signs of dehydration.In this situation I would call a nurse or doctor if you are worried.I would recommend rice cereal or crackers.NO JUICE right now obviously until things get better.Continue with the breast milk or formula as long as the baby is holding it down .good luck at hope the baby gets better.

Answer 6

you should go see the doctor , your little one might have a virus or maybe disagreed with what she ate. give her plenty of fluids, like water, even pedialyte.. there are different types out there... change her frequently, so that she wont get a rash and make sure to put diaper ointment on her bottom... also, give her a bath at least 2x a day.. so that her bottom does not get irritated.. you can also try some bananas and rice cereal.. i hope that youre little one feels better.

Answer 7

Children can dehydrate dangerously in only a few hours. Get that baby to the doctor fast!

Answer 8

If it's been going on for a long time AFTER you talk to a doctor, then you might try eliminating certain foods from his/her diet to see if the baby has a food allergy. My hubby almost died as a baby from undiagnosed celiac disease.

Answer 9

How long has it been going on? Call a doctor or emergency room. Depending on where you live it may or may not be a specific symptom of a larger problem. Get your child checked.

Answer 10

Give him brat diet:

Bananas Rice Applesauce Toast and Water or pedialite only for a few days.

IF it is EXCESSIVE diahreha then call doc.

This will help calm his stomach, and lessen the diahrehha