Diarrhea in Children
This information is for educational purposes only. It does not replace professional medical advice. If your child is sick, call our office.
About diarrhea in children
Diarrhea means loose or watery stools that happen more often than normal. Most diarrhea in children is caused by a virus (like rotavirus or norovirus) and goes away on its own in 3–7 days. The main risk is dehydration, especially in babies and toddlers.
Call 911 or go to the ER
- Your child is too weak to stand or too drowsy to wake up
- Blood in the stool that looks like more than a streak
- Signs of severe dehydration: no urine for 8+ hours, no tears, sunken eyes, very dry mouth, sunken soft spot in an infant
Call the doctor right now
- Baby under 3 months with any diarrhea
- More than 8 watery stools in the last 8 hours
- Bloody diarrhea (more than a small streak)
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- Signs of dehydration: no urine in 6+ hours, crying without tears, dry mouth
- Fever above 104°F (40°C)
- Stomach pain that does not go away between stools
- Your child has a weakened immune system
Call the doctor within 24 hours
- Baby 3–12 months old with diarrhea lasting more than 2 days
- 6 or more watery stools in the last 24 hours
- Diarrhea lasting more than 5 days in a child of any age
- Fever with diarrhea lasting more than 3 days
- Mucus in the stools for more than 2 days
- Contact with a reptile (snake, lizard, turtle) in the past 14 days
- Your child recently traveled to another country and developed diarrhea
- Diarrhea comes and goes over more than 2 weeks
Home care
- The most important thing is preventing dehydration — offer fluids frequently in small amounts
- Breastfed babies: continue breastfeeding, offer more often than usual
- Formula-fed babies: continue regular formula. If diarrhea is severe, your doctor may recommend Pedialyte for 12–24 hours.
- Toddlers and older children: offer Pedialyte, diluted apple juice, or water. Avoid sugary drinks like full-strength juice or soda — sugar makes diarrhea worse.
- Continue a normal diet as tolerated. Good foods during diarrhea: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, crackers, pasta, potatoes. Avoid greasy or fried foods.
- Do not give anti-diarrhea medicines (like Imodium) to children under 6 without asking your doctor
- Wash hands thoroughly after diaper changes and bathroom visits — viral diarrhea is very contagious
- Watch for diaper rash — apply barrier cream (like Desitin or Aquaphor) with every diaper change
When diarrhea has no other symptoms
If your toddler has loose stools but is eating, drinking, playing normally, and has no fever, this may be toddler’s diarrhea. It is common between ages 1–4, often caused by too much juice or fruit. Reducing juice to 4–6 oz per day and increasing fat and fiber in the diet usually helps. Mention it at your next visit.
Not sure if your child’s diarrhea needs attention? Call us.
Call 908-755-5437