How to stop baby diarrhea?

Diarrhea is quite common in babies, but knowing what can be managed at home is important.

When dealing with diarrhea, the most important thing is not to stop the diarrhea, but to prevent fluid loss — because diarrhea is usually caused by a virus that will go away on its own. Anti-diarrheal medicines used for adults are dangerous in babies and are never given.

Here's what you can do:

1. Replace fluids lost — Keep breastfeeding or bottle-feeding; use an oral rehydration solution (ORS) from the pharmacy for additional fluids. Homemade sugar water, buttermilk, or juice are not recommended.

2. Don't stop feeding — Starving your baby during diarrhea slows recovery. If your baby is on solid foods, offer easy-to-digest foods like banana, rice cereal, yogurt, and boiled potato.

3. Change diapers often and use diaper rash cream — Diarrhea irritates skin quickly.

4. Call your doctor — If there's no improvement in 24 hours, or if you see blood, mucus, or your baby has high fever or seems very uncomfortable.

Signs of serious dehydration (call immediately): no wet diaper for 8+ hours, sunken eyes, dry mouth, unusual sleepiness, or blood/mucus in stool — go to your doctor or emergency room right away.