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Parent’s Guide

Parent’s Guide: Diarrhea in Children

Diarrhea is the body's way of expelling germs. While usually caused by a virus (like Rotavirus) and harmless, the main danger is dehydration.

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🚨 When to Get Help

Call 911 Now

  • Child is too weak or dizzy to stand.
  • Child is not moving or acting difficult to wake.

Call Doctor Now or Go to ER

  • Dehydration: Any signs listed above (Dry mouth, no urine >8 hrs).
  • Blood: You see blood in the stool.
  • Age: Baby is under 1 month old with 3+ diarrhea stools.
  • Fever: Baby is under 12 weeks with any fever, or older child has fever >104°F (40°C).
  • Vomiting: Vomiting clear liquids 3+ times.
  • Pain: Constant stomach pain lasts more than 2 hours.

Contact in 24hrs

  • Diarrhea is moderate (6+ watery stools).
  • Fever lasts more than 3 days.
  • Stomach pain returns with every stool.
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✅The Quick Check: Is it Diarrhea?

  • Definition: 3 or more watery or very loose stools in one day.
  • Not Diarrhea: 1 or 2 loose stools (often just a diet change) or “Toddler’s Diarrhea” (sloppy stools in a happy, active toddler, often caused by too much fruit juice).

For Babies (How to distinguish from normal poop):

  • Breastfed: Normal stools are often runny, seedy, and yellow/green. Suspect diarrhea only if stools suddenly increase in number, become waterier, contain mucus/blood, or the baby acts sick.
  • Formula-Fed: Normal stools are like peanut butter. Suspect diarrhea if they become watery or increase in frequency.
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⚠️The Big Risk: Watch for Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much fluid. It is the most serious complication of diarrhea.

Signs of Dehydration:

  • Urine: No urine for 8 hours or urine is dark yellow/concentrated.
  • Mouth: Inside of mouth and tongue are sticky or dry.
  • Eyes: No tears when crying.
  • Soft Spot: In babies, the soft spot on the head (fontanelle) looks sunken or dipped.
  • Behavior: Child is fussy, too weak to stand, or very dizzy.

The “Capillary Refill” Test

If you aren’t sure, check their blood flow:

  1. Press on the child’s thumbnail until it turns pale.
  2. Let go.
  3. Count how long it takes to turn pink again.
  4. Result: If it takes longer than 2-3 seconds, they may be dehydrated.
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🏠Home Care Advice

If your child is alert, happy, and moist (has tears/spit), you can treat them at home.

Fluids & Diet

  • Goal: Replace fluids lost in the stool.
  • Babies: Continue breastfeeding or formula. Feed more often. If diarrhea is watery and frequent, you can add Pedialyte (Oral Rehydration Solution) between feedings (2–4 oz after every watery stool).
  • Older Kids: Water, milk, and half-strength Gatorade are okay. Avoid full-strength fruit juice, soda, or sports drinks (the high sugar content pulls water into the gut and makes diarrhea worse).
  • Solids: Starchy foods are best. Offer cereal, crackers, rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.

Probiotics

  • Yogurt with “active cultures” can help replace good gut bacteria and shorten the illness.
  • Dosage: 2 to 6 oz of yogurt twice daily.

Diaper Rash Prevention

  • Diarrhea is very acidic and can burn the skin quickly.
  • Wash the bottom with water after every stool.
  • Apply a thick layer of ointment (Aquaphor or Desitin) to protect the skin.
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😷Prevention

  • Hand Washing: This is the #1 way to stop the spread. Wash hands after every diaper change and before preparing food.
  • Food Safety: Cook poultry fully.
  • Travel: If traveling to developing countries, use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth.

Medically Reviewed by Dr Michael Villadelgado
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you use it. If you are unsure, always call your doctor.