What is best to feed a child with diarrhea??

Question

My lil' boy is 22 months old, and we are drinking pedialite, but what would be good to give say for lunch?

Answer 1

pediatlyte or gatorade... something with lots of nutrition, to replace the water lost. also dry foods, like toast.

Answer 2

FYI - Pedialyte and PediSure have lots of sugar (dextrose) in them and that contributes to diarrhea. Only use pedialyte if child has severe diarrhea (a watery bowel movement every two hours or more).

My 2 yr old had a bad bout of the flu (vomiting and severe diarrhea) a month ago. The doctor said to stay away from sweetened things (soda pop, puddings etc.) because it will make the diarrhea last longer. She said he could eat anything he wanted / could keep down. I asked about the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast). She said that it still helps but doctors are not so restrictive now.

"Binding" foods: Starches - rice, toast/bread, pasta, cereal (leave off or very light butter/oils)
Milk, cheese, yogurt (if has active cultures helps but good bacteria back into intestines)
Bananas and apple sauce (but not regular apples - go figure?)

Here's a link from BabyCenter:
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/preschooler/phealth/pconstipation/65989.html

This article has 5 sections and one of them is "How should I treat my child's diarrhea?"

Good luck and take care.

Answer 3

Pedialite...stay away from sports drinks...they are not made for kids. They sell Pedialite at the grocery stores in the baby isle.

Answer 4

NOTHING - a child with loose bowels needs as little to eat as possible.

If you really must - feed dry toast - no topping, and cooled down boiled water.

It will not hurt them to have this for a few days

Steer clear of dairy foods / fruits / veg that will only make it worse - within 24 hours of bland foods you should notice an increase in appetite and bowels alot harder - any child with loose stools for more than 24 hours with temp should see a dr - particularly at this age

Answer 5

I would avoid foods that would induce more diarrhea, fruits such as strawberries, banana, apples etc.

Keep the child well hydrated with clear liquids, avoid high sugar drinks, and obviously no grape, apple, prune juice etc.

I would treat it like you would the stomach food, and keep blandish easy to digests foods in his tummy, toast, chicken noodle soup, maybe some cereal. Play it by ear.

If it keeps up and you can't get him well hydrated I would consult his physician.

Good Luck.

Answer 6

There is A New Yogurt by Dannon, you may want to try, Activa is now in your Yogurt section. Talk with your Doctor or Pediatrician, and use small doses for 14 days with the child's diet. It works or it is free. It may be worth looking into it. Does your child tolerate milk products?

Answer 7

Pediasure. It's meant to provide the nourishments the child needs, but the child can actually digest this without getting sick. It's a little expensive, but it comes in good flavors. It has always helped my kids.

Answer 8

I have always used the BRAT diet. Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. It seems to work well. Good Luck and hang in there!

Answer 9

The BRAT diet
Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast

Popsicles are good for keeping them hydrated as well

Answer 10

My Daughter has just got over the same thing. mine wouldnt eat anything, but I was told by lots of people here to give her Bannannas, rice, applesauce, and toast.

Answer 11

call the childs doctor and ask them first and then start the brat diet

b= bananas
r- rice (no salt or seasoning at all no butter you can use plain potatoes or noodles too)
a = unsweetened applesauce
t dry toast