Upset stomach is quite common in young children. The causes of diarrhea can be very different, it is necessary to be able to distinguish a relatively safe, easily eliminated indigestion from serious diseases that require urgent medical attention.
Stool frequency in infants is a rather individual indicator. For some babies, about ten bowel movements per day are considered the norm. Stool retention for 2-3 days is also not always a sign of a serious illness.
The main signs of diarrhea in infants are as follows: the child suddenly begins to stain the diaper more often, the consistency of the stool changes to liquid and watery, it is "sprinkled" out. The feces become greenish in color.
The reasons for this malaise can be different: usually it is an infection, less often it is food.
The most common causative agent of infant diarrhea is rotavirus infection. Bowel function can also be compromised by the introduction of certain bacteria, such as Salmonella, as well as fungi and parasites.
The development of an intestinal infection can occur both quickly and rather slowly: the baby loses appetite, he becomes moody. The child's weight also decreases or stands still. Your baby's muscles and skin become flabby. With a sharp onset of the disease, the amount of stool increases greatly, the tummy swells, the temperature rises, the color of the feces changes, and a pungent odor emanates from it. In this case, you need to urgently consult a doctor and undergo full treatment.
It is worth considering the fact that the digestive system of babies is very sensitive and can react with a disorder to an infection of the urinary or upper respiratory tract.
A child's digestive upset can also lie in a violation of his nutrition. If your toddler eats unborn, stale or improperly cooked food, his stomach is unable to process it. Food passes into the intestines undigested. There it is broken down by bacteria, protein and carbohydrates begin to ferment, which leads to diarrhea. Some babies develop diarrhea due to replacement of breastfeeding with formula feeding, as well as the introduction of new food into the diet.
If the cause of the infant's diarrhea is a violation of the diet, it is necessary to continue breastfeeding and replenish the fluid loss. Between feedings, doctors recommend giving your baby one of the special rehydration solutions in small single doses.
Children who are artificially fed should be fed with their usual formula, also giving a solution for rehydration during breaks. The pediatrician will give you the dosage and other recommendations for taking this solution. If the baby is less than 6 months old, dilute the mixture in a 1: 2 ratio (1 part of baby food prepared in the usual way and 2 parts of water), on the second day - in a 1: 1 ratio. Then gradually increase the concentration to the normal level.
You can completely restrict your child's food intake for about 12-24 hours. At this time, it is recommended to give him sweetened boiled water with 2 teaspoons of sugar (250 ml of water) diluted in it. If an infant's mild diarrhea persists within 2-3 days, see a doctor.
If your baby's diet includes solid foods other than milk, cut them out until the diarrhea is gone. Then start introducing solid food in small portions: on the first day –1/3 of the usual portion, on the second - 2/3, on the third - a full portion.
Please note that during an upset stomach, you should not introduce new foods into the children's diet.
