What to do with diarrhea in a child?

Frequent liquid stool for the baby almost always finds the parents unawares, because many simply do not know what to do with diarrhea in a child.

However, diarrhea in children is not uncommon, since the anatomical and physiological features of the digestive system at an early age have the appearance of such disorders.

Diarrhea can be the result of infection (bacteria or viruses), or a consequence of taking certain medications.

Sometimes diarrhea is one of the initial symptoms of dysentery, when it is very important not to hesitate and call an ambulance as soon as possible.

But most often the liquid stool appears due to an acute intestinal infection, the causative agent of which may be salmonella, pathogenic E. Coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella, etc. The child can get infected through dirty hands, unprocessed personal items (nipples, bottles, etc.), through substandard water, unprepared mammary glands of the mother, etc.

In some cases, there is a chronic disorder of the baby's intestines. The reasons for this state are already very serious:

• deficiency of digestive enzymes;
• hypoplasia of the pancreas, inflammation of the duodenum, diabetes mellitus;
• dysbiosis;
• lactase, glucose-galactose or fructose deficiency;
• food allergy.

Treatment of diarrhea in children directly depends on the cause of the disorder. This reason should be established by the pediatrician, and after consultation to appoint treatment. But what should parents know about a child's diarrhea? What can they do in this situation?

What to do with diarrhea in a child 1 year?

Fortunately, most of the conditions that cause diarrhea in the baby are relatively harmless: they can even disappear on their own if you offer the baby more fluids and make some adjustments to their diet. The main danger that diarrhea presents is dehydration. The child's organism supports practically constant electrolytic (salt) and water balance, regulated by a healthy intestine and kidneys. With diarrhea, the balance can be disturbed, and the body risks losing both liquid and beneficial salts. What should alert:

• the child begins to lose weight;
• loses interest in games, often capricious;
• mouth and tongue are dry when viewed;
• less frequent urination, urine is darker than usual.

What can parents do in this situation?

• Try to find the cause of diarrhea. Maybe over the past few days you have somehow changed the baby's nutrition. For example, they transferred it from breast milk to cow's milk, or to baby food, or began to introduce complementary foods. Maybe the child ate or ate a lot of new food at a time? Note: if, along with diarrhea, the baby has reddening around the anal sphincter, this may indicate that your child does not tolerate certain foods. Try to return to the previous diet, or exclude food that could provoke diarrhea. If everything is done correctly, then the stool is normalized for 5-6 days.
• If, against a background of an intestinal disorder, a child has a cold with a fever, then it is necessary to act according to the child's well-being. The kid does not act upset, plays as if nothing had happened, his tongue is wet, urination is normal - wait and watch the baby until you are worried. If the baby starts to lose weight, often cry and fuss - call the doctor.
• If the child's feces are explosive, watery, greenish, it is evident that the baby is ill, and the surface of the tongue is dry - revise its nutrition. Do not offer the baby solid foods, cow's milk, shop mashed potatoes and cereals. Leave breast milk and porridge on the water.
• With severe diarrhea and dehydration, if you do not already breastfeed, you can replace all the baby's food with electrolyte mixtures (for example, "Natural" or "Pedialite"), they can be bought in almost any pharmacy. About dosages it is useful to consult a doctor. With diarrhea of moderate severity, these mixtures replace only half of the baby's diet.
• If the children's diet was for some reason violated (change of residence, travel to rest, etc.), it is useful to restore it as much as possible. Until the diarrhea finally stops, forget about cow's milk, replacing it with breast milk or natural yoghurt.

Note that the function of the infantile intestine can be restored very slowly, and diarrhea will last up to several weeks. But if there are pains in the tummy and weight loss, be sure to visit a doctor. Probably, it is necessary to hand over the analysis on presence of helminths.

What to do with diarrhea in a newborn?

If a newborn baby has a liquid unformed stool with mucus, or even blood, we can talk about the development of diarrhea. The risk of dehydration in a newly born patient is maximum, and this is indeed very dangerous. Referral should be prompt. The liquid should be compensated: the breast milk or simple boiled water is the best, you can have a weak solution of chamomile.

In most cases, the appearance of the child's diarrhea is to blame for the mother herself, or rather, the errors in her nutrition. Everyone knows that a lactating woman must follow a strict diet, because everything that she ate, passes with breast milk to the baby. If the mother did not restrain herself and regaled herself with a cup of strawberries or a couple of peaches - expect that the baby can have diarrhea. If the child is born with artificial feeding, then in this case, a disorder of the stool may be a signal that this infant formula is not suitable for the baby.

A frequent ailment of newborns is dysbiosis - a violation of the balance of microorganisms inside the intestine. This happens because of the imperfection of the children's digestive system. The fact is that the intestines of the baby are filled with the necessary bacteria with the first sips of the mother's milk. If the baby is born from birth on artificial feeding, or the mother allowed herself to eat "superfluous", then the balance of bacteria can be disturbed, and there will be a dysbacteriosis. What will help restore the microflora?

• Bifiform Baby is a children's probiotic with beneficial bacteria, recommended from birth. Apply in the form of food additives in an amount of 1 dose / 1 time per day. The course of therapy - 20 days.
• Nifuroxazide - in the form of a suspension is given by 1 measuring spoon to 2.5 ml of liquid twice a day.
• Smecta - helps to eliminate malfunctions in the work of the children's digestive system. Discharges toxins from the intestine. Usually use 1 packet per day, diluting it in 100 ml of liquid, or in 50 ml of the mixture. The course of therapy - no more than 3 days.

In rare cases, children can be born with congenital intestinal pathologies. In order to diagnose such diseases, it is necessary to consult a doctor, carry out analyzes and special studies.

What to do with diarrhea, when the teeth are chopped?

Many mothers and dads can not understand how the dentition of the baby is associated with the appearance of diarrhea. There is an opinion that when a child gets erupted, more of the saliva that is swallowed, gets into the intestine, and dilutes the stool. However, scientists do not confirm this theory by finding other logical explanations for this state.

The born baby receives the first dose of immune protection from the mother's milk. Further, this immunity gradually begins to weaken, while the own has not yet developed. Teething teeth, which can begin as early as three months of age, irritates the baby's gum. As a result, the baby "pulls in the mouth" everything in order to reduce discomfort in the oral cavity. It can be toys, just dirty fingers, foreign objects. Since the degree of immune protection is imperfect, then all sorts of microbes and other microorganisms from such objects find themselves in the mouth and then in the digestive system of the child, which can cause infectious irritation of the intestine. The child's body is not yet able to fight the infection on its own, hence the digestive disorders and diarrhea.

How can parents help a child?

In order to alleviate the condition of the baby, let him chew healthy food - washed and peeled carrots, banana, rice. Avoid food that can aggravate diarrhea - dried fruits, apples, apricots. If diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, share your experiences with the doctor.

The period of teething is a natural physiological process. However, the appearance of diarrhea on the background of eruption requires parents to pay special attention to the child. It is necessary to make sure that diarrhea is not associated with additional viral or microbial diseases. Only after consultation with the pediatrician, you can help the baby together.

About what can help the child with diarrhea, we have already talked. Now let's briefly discuss what can not be done in this situation:

• you can not stop breastfeeding, since breast milk supports the immunity of the baby and is tolerated by him better than any other product;
• You can not offer cow's milk to the baby, especially with the addition of sugar, as this can aggravate the development of pathogenic bacteria in the intestine;
• you can not arrange a child for a long starvation, completely transferring it to the use of liquids (no more than 2 days);
• Do not use diarrhea to give your baby juices, especially undiluted and in large quantities.

The best remedy for diarrhea is the replacement solution, that is, the electrolyte solution, of which we spoke above. Do not rush to give your child medications, usually prescribed to adults - they can be dangerous for children. By slowing down diarrhea with such means, it is possible to stop the work of the entire digestive system, which will only worsen the condition of the baby. Bacteria will continue their development in the stopped intestines, gradually absorbed into the circulatory system and provoking serious pathologies.

And the last tip: what to do with diarrhea in a child when taking antibiotics? If the baby is given a special acidophilic powder against the background of antibiotic therapy, then it is possible to prevent microflora disorders in the children's intestines. This powder is called Lactobacillus bifidus (Primadofilus), it can be purchased at any pharmacy.