Child Diarrhea Remedy

Diarrhea, a sudden increase in bowel movements' looseness and frequency, is common in children. It can range from mild to severe. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, symptoms of which are a dry mouth, infrequent urination and darker urine.

Diet

• If your child has had several loose bowel movements, try giving your child the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast), crackers, noodles or mashed potatoes. Avoid greasy and fatty foods or foods that typically produce softer bowel movements, such as beans and oatmeal. On the second day after you've started treating the diarrhea, try a soft-boiled egg with toast.

Liquids

• Encourage your child to drink water or solutions such as Pedialyte to stay hydrated. Avoid fruit juices, milk and other dairy products. Sodas can replace water, but make sure they are not diet.

Medications and Prevention

• Antibiotics generally do not work on the viruses that cause diarrhea. Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication, such as Imodium or Pepto-Bismol may help some people but are not usually recommended for infants and young children.To prevent the diarrhea from spreading, your child should wash his or her hands often. Everyone in the family should wash their hands after using the bathroom.