Toddler diarrhea does not always mean food poisoning. The causes of this type of ailments may also be: food intolerance, allergy, overfeeding, viral or bacterial infections, as well as congenital diseases.
Diarrhea can be very troublesome for both the baby and his parents. When the disturbing symptoms persist, serious complications, such as dehydration and eating disorders, can develop. How to prevent them?
Worth knowingIt favors food infections:
- Non-compliance with hygiene rules - infrequent hand washing
- Use of public toilets, canteens, swimming pools
- Washing face and teeth with tap water while traveling
- Inability to verify the source of consumed food
- Eating at room temperature (it is safer to eat hot food)
- Using street stalls offer
- Forgetting to wash consumed products
- Eating raw foods (fruit, vegetables, meat, fish)
When do we have diarrhea?
We talk about diarrhea in a baby who is fed breast milk when the number of stools increases or the consistency changes. A he althy toddler defecates about seven times a day. It is worrying for an older child to pass three or more loose stools within 12 hours. Disturbing symptoms in an adult are passing stools more than three times a day.
This will be useful to youCommon symptoms of diarrhea:
- sudden increase in stool frequency
- change in consistency, color and smell of stools - thin, liquid, watery, squirting, greenish, sometimes with an admixture of mucus, pus, blood, with an intense sour smell
- chafing and redness around the anus
- lack of appetite
- fever
- weakness
- abdominal pain, flatulence
- lower frequency of urination
There are two types of diarrhea - acute and chronic. The first of these appear suddenly and last up to seven days. They are most often caused by a viral or bacterial infection and are accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea and fever. When diarrhea lasts more than two weeks, it is called chronic.
First: watering
Regardless of the child's age, if we observehe has a disturbing gastrointestinal discomfort, the first step should be to start rehydration. Toddler's body loses water and electrolytes faster. Therefore, it is necessary to administer DPN, i.e. oral rehydration fluids (such asORSALIT®DRINK ). The preparation contains the optimal amount of glucose and electrolytes (composition in accordance with the recommendations of ESPGHAN - the European Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition for Children), and also has the right osmolarity, which means that the water contained in it goes to the digestive tract and can meet the body's needs.ORSALITE®DRINKhas a delicious, strawberry flavor, does not require preparation, is available in small, handy bottles.
It is important not to use fruit juices, carbonated drinks or broth for hydration. These products show high osmolarity, and the water contained in them, instead of penetrating into the body, from the bloodstream goes to the intestinal lumen and is removed from the body. Also, do not give your child any anti-diarrhea preparations intended for adults (e.g. containing loperamide).
Second: a proper diet
In case of gastrointestinal problems, it is important to use a rational diet. Meals should be easy to digest. It is best if the dishes will contain: carrots (replenishes the deficiency of mineral s alts and electrolytes), bananas (calms the digestive system), baked apples (absorbs excessive amounts of water from the intestines). The child can be served overcooked rice gruel, porridge, rusks, corn crisps, as well as kissel and pudding. When the baby is feeling better, the diet can be extended to lean meat and fish. If the baby is only fed breast milk, do not wait before feeding (frequency can be increased). An artificially fed toddler should be given the formula that was used before the onset of diarrhea. In order to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort, gently massage the baby's abdomen with circular movements in a clockwise direction. Relief will also bring a hot water bottle or a warm compress on the tummy. The stools irritate the baby's delicate skin. If your toddler is still wearing diapers, you should take care of the proper care of the bottom. After each scrolling, rinse it thoroughly with warm, boiled water, clean it with wet wipes and dry it. It's also a good idea to grease your skin with baby ointment.
ImportantYou will need to see a doctor if:
- Symptoms last for more than two weeks
- Symptoms get worse
- Symptoms keep coming back
- There is mucus or blood in the stool
- The child does not want to eat or drink
- Dehydration symptoms appear (increased thirst, parched lips, bloated stomach, irritability, tearfulness, sunken eyeballs)
Diarrhea in children disturbs the bacterial flora. In order to restore its normal condition, the doctor may recommend the use of probiotics containing lactic acid bacteriaLactobacillusorBifidobacteriumand non-pathogenic yeastSaccharomyces boulardii . They stimulate the immune system and prevent the recurrence of ailments. Thanks to them, the composition of the intestinal microflora is restored and the duration of diarrhea is shortened.
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