Dealing with toddlers is no doubt fun. However, there comes a time when they’re not feeling well. It might either be due to fever, colds, or diarrhea. Diarrhea is arguably the most common sickness that toddlers go through, and I can attest to that.
My two years old child has experienced this number of times already. And I must admit that it's heartbreaking to see your child experience that. Not only are they feeling discomfort in their body, but we also suffer because we always need to keep cleaning up their loose stools and worrying about what we should do to them.
Here we’re going to tell you what you need feed to your toddler when they get diarrhea, as well as how to prevent them from getting diarrhea in the first place.
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Possible Reasons for Baby's Diarrhea
1. Bacterial Infection
There are a lot of reasons as to why your baby might have diarrhea. However, the most common one is due to bacterial infection. Toddlers are just learning how to walk and do various motor tasks, which is why they’re most likely to lick their hands and suckle on it every once in a while. It’s through this that they might be taking in germs and bacteria into their body, thus causing bacterial infection.
2. Antibiotics
You might have given your toddler medicine such as antibiotic due to a certain sickness they were in a few weeks back. Though antibiotics are safe and are specifically made to kill off germs and bacteria, there is a tendency that it might include in killing the bad bacteria inside your toddler's intestines.
If this is the case, then there will be no good bacteria to fight off the bad ones, thus making their digestive tract open to bacterial or parasitic infections.
3. Food Allergy
Toddler’s diarrhea might also be caused by an allergic reaction. There are toddlers who are allergic to some kinds of food. The most common foods babies are allergic to are cow’s milk, eggs, fish, and shellfish. If you remember feeding them with any of these, then that might be the cause of their diarrhea.
Though food allergies might just be normal, there is a tendency that this can worsen and have a big effect on your toddler. There are even some cases when babies are having a hard time in breathing due to their allergy.
4. Toddler’s Diarrhea
Then there's this toddler's diarrhea that might also be the reason for your child's discomfort. This is normal for toddlers because their body, specifically their digestive system is still developing. It might be caused due to a sudden change in their diet or maybe because it's the first time they ate something like that.
Foods to feed toddler with Diarrhea
1. Broiled Pork, Beef, or Chicken
When your toddler shows signs of diarrhea, you don't wait but need to act quickly. The best thing you can do is to feed them with foods that will combat the effects of diarrhea such as boiled pork, beef, or chicken.
These meats contain large amounts of calories and protein, which are very effective in hardening up the contents of your toddler’s digestive tract. This will result to a more solidified stool the next time they poop.
2. Cooked Eggs
When a toddler has diarrhea, they'll feel very discomfort of having to frequently poop so they feel very weak. They lack the energy and unwilling to move.
This happens because almost all of the nutritional components inside your toddler are flushed out, including high amounts of protein. Without protein, your toddler would feel very weak.
This is the reason why you need to feed them with cooked eggs. It might either be scrambled or hard-boiled, it doesn't matter as long as it is cooked. Eggs are rich in protein, and feeding them with it adds protein and in turn, adds huge amounts of energy back to their system.
3. Bananas
Bananas are also highly recommended foods to let your toddler eat when they have diarrhea. I can personally say that this is one of the best ways to stop diarrhea because this is my first choice in feeding my youngster.
The reason behind this is that bananas are low in fiber. Take note that having lots of fiber in your body makes your stool becomes more liquid. Bananas are also rich in potassium, and potassium is very effective in solidifying one’s stool.
Aside from that, this fruit is also rich in a variety of other vitamins and nutrients such as Vitamin C, Biotin, and Copper. This will replenish the lost nutrients and minerals of your toddler.
4. White Rice
White rice acts as a binding agent that solidifies your baby’s stool. In simple terms, this is what makes your baby’s poop more solid and less liquid.
White rice is also rich in phosphorus, selenium, niacin, and manganese. All of these help in reducing the number of stools by making them more compact. These nutrients directly go to their bloodstream and body organs that in turn, makes it healthier and working more properly.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid
When your toddler has diarrhea, you should avoid them eating dairy products such as milk, butter, or foods that have traces of whipped cream and cheese. They should also not drink beverages such as soda and fruit juices.
You might be tempted to give them sports drinks to rehydrate them, but isn't safe because your toddler's body is not yet fully developed to accommodate the components of sports drinks. Donuts, sausages, and other fast foods and greasy foods are also a big no-no to your child.
When should I call the doctor?
You don't need to call a doctor immediately when the first signs of diarrhea show up. However, if it has been already a couple of days, then it would be best to call one.
It's also recommended to let a doctor check your toddler if they are already vomiting a couple of times per day and they are showing signs of extreme dehydration and infrequent urination.
You can also check the color of your toddler’s stool. If there is blood on it or if it has a black color, then it’s best to call a doctor as soon as possible.
Conclusion
With all of these being said, it is very necessary for you to quickly act on the diet of your toddler when they’re having diarrhea. There are a lot of ways in which you can combat its effects and make it stop. Surroundings are not clean also a reason for your toddler has diarrhea. Assure that they are living in a hygienic place to keep healthy and free from sicknesses.
Read more : 13 Important Things Have to Pack in a Diaper Bag
