Natural & Herbal Remedies for a Baby's Tummy With Diarrhea

When your baby has diarrhea, quick relief is your main concern. Unfortunately, many over-the-counter options have side effects or danger warnings for children under the age of 2. Natural and herbal remedies often can provide relief without the side effects and at very little cost.

Star Anise

• Star anise calms a baby's tummy by helping to pass gas.

  Anise helps babies pass gas and calms intestinal upset. Take one or two points of a star anise seed, and grind it up very fine with a mortar and pestle. Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over the anise seeds and let it steep until cool. Then, using a dropper, give your baby three to six drops whenever he is fussy with an upset stomach. Anise is often used with ginger, but ginger should not be given to babies under 1 year of age.

Fennel Seeds

• Simmer fennel seeds for 10 minutes for a quick and effective colic remedy.

  Fennel seeds are a widely known remedy for colic, or excessive crying in babies, which can be caused by intestinal discomfort, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Simmer 1/2 tsp. to 1 tsp. of fennel seeds in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes. Strain the seeds, and allow the mixture to cool. Give two teaspoons to your baby by spoon or dropper every 15 minutes. Do not add sugar or honey.

Peppermint

• Peppermint is a widely used medicinal herb.

  Peppermint is perhaps the most widely known medicinal herb and is safe for babies' tummies. Steep a handful of fresh peppermint leaves, or 1 tsp. of dried peppermint leaves, into 2 cups of boiling water for 10 minutes. Allow to cool, and feed to your baby a teaspoon at a time. Peppermint is very strong to babies, so be sure to administer a small amount at a time.

Carob Powder and Ripe Banana

• Carob powder mixes well with a banana for babies old enough to eat solid foods.

  If your baby is old enough to eat solid foods, feed her a mashed ripe banana mixed with 1 tsp. of carob powder. The banana will help tighten the intestines, and the pectin in the carob will bind food together.

Activated Charcoal

• Activated charcoal is an over-the-counter diarrheal remedy.

  Toxins are usually the culprit when babies have diarrhea. Activated charcoal is a powerful magnet for toxins and helps the body pass it out. It also absorbs minerals and vitamins, so this is a remedy that should only be taken when needed and is not safe as a daily preventative. Most drugstores carry activated charcoal, and it's an excellent addition to your first aid kit.