Diarrhea in babies and young children

Home remedies to ease your little explorer’s discomfort

Frequent watery stools, abdominal pain, and fatigue: If you notice these symptoms in your baby or toddler, you’re probably dealing with diarrhea. Understandably, you’re concerned and want to help your child recover quickly. In this article, you’ll learn, among other things, what can trigger diarrhea in your little explorer, how teething may be related, and which home remedies can help babies and toddlers with diarrhea.

How can you recognize diarrhea in babies and young children?

Diarrhea in your little explorer occurs when the intestinal lining is irritated and nutrient absorption and digestion are disrupted. As a result, your baby or toddler passes stool more frequently than usual. Stool that is watery and loose can be normal at times. But how can you recognize diarrhea in your baby? Diarrhea is generally considered when your baby has more than 5 loose stools per day or your toddler has more than 3 loose stools per day . If this condition lasts longer than 24 hours, you should consult a pediatrician.

The following symptoms may occur simultaneously with diarrhea:

  • Cramping abdominal pain and bloating

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Loss of appetite and weight loss

What are the causes of diarrhea in infants and children?

Diarrhea in your baby or toddler can have many different causes. Diarrhea is most commonly caused by viruses , for example noroviruses, rotaviruses, or adenoviruses. However, bacteria can also cause infections in your child's gastrointestinal tract.

Other causes of diarrhea in your little explorer could be:

  • Food intolerances, for example lactose intolerance

  • Dietary changes, for example after the introduction of complementary foods

  • Too much fruit juice or hard-to-digest foods

  • Side effects of medications

In addition, environmental changes can cause stress and emotional strain in little explorers, which may show up as diarrhea. This is especially true when your child has to adjust to a time change. Weather changes can also play a role—particularly in the heat —when babies or toddlers may develop diarrhea.

Diarrhea and teething: How are they connected?

Maybe you’ve heard from other parents that babies often get diarrhea while teething . That can happen, but diarrhea and teething are only loosely connected. You can think of it like this: Teething is incredibly exhausting for your little explorer. That, in turn, weakens the immune system , making your child more susceptible to illness. Viruses and bacteria therefore have an easier time during this period. In addition, babies often chew more on toys or teething rings and suck on their hands while teething. So if you’re wondering whether your baby’s diarrhea is caused by teething or an infection, the answer is: probably a combination of both.



When should you take your child to the doctor with diarrhea?

If your baby or toddler has diarrhea along with additional symptoms , you should see a doctor . This way, serious illnesses can be identified or ruled out, and you’ll receive valuable advice on how to treat your little explorer.

Seek medical advice if you notice the following symptoms in your child:

  • Your child complains of intense, colic-like stomach pain .

  • Your baby's bowel movements show blood .

  • The diarrhea is large-volume and very watery.

  • Your little explorer develops a high fever above 39.5 °C.

  • In addition to diarrhea, your child also vomits .

  • The stool color is white.

  • Your baby or toddler refuses food .

  • There is a risk of dehydration .



If your child loses a lot of fluids during diarrhea, important minerals are also lost. This can lead to dehydration , which you can recognize by the following signs :

  • Dry mouth

  • Deep breathing through the mouth

  • Pale, slack skin

  • Sunken eye area

  • Low urine output and dark urine color

  • Absence of tears when crying

  • Drowsiness



In general: The younger the child and the greater the water loss, the more dangerous diarrhea can be. As a rough guide, diarrhea in infants is concerning if there are 4 or more watery stools, and in toddlers if there are 6 or more watery stools within 24 hours.

Are there home remedies for diarrhea in babies and young children?

Your little explorer has diarrhea, and you’re wondering what you can do at home? Fortunately, there are numerous home remedies that can provide quick relief, even for babies and toddlers. Your top priority should be to compensate for mineral loss caused by the high fluid loss. An example of this is a suitable . electrolyte solution , which you might already have in your first-aid kit . Otherwise, you can also get such a solution at the pharmacy. Ask for advice there on how much you can give your little explorer. As an alternative to an electrolyte solution, you can also give your child salt and dextrose to help restore a healthy mineral balance.

For optimal mineral balance, add approximately 8 teaspoons of glucose and 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 liter of tea.

Additionally, keep the following tips in mind for diarrhea:

  • Fluid intake : If your baby or toddler has diarrhea, increased fluid intake is very important. Children who are no longer exclusively fed with breast milk or infant formula can also be given tea. Teas that are gentle on the stomach and intestines include, for example, fennel or chamomile tea, as well as diluted black tea.

  • Nutrition for babies : If your baby is struggling with diarrhea, eating may be difficult. However, exclusively breastfed babies should continue to receive breast milk, as it strengthens the immune system of little explorers. If your baby is already eating complementary foods, you can switch to weak tea for 6 to 8 hours, which you can enrich with salt and dextrose for additional minerals.

  • Nutrition in young children : Are you also wondering what your toddler can eat during diarrhea? Doctors recommend a starchy, low-fat diet. Suitable options include rusks, toast, and salted pretzels. Carrot purée, mashed potatoes, and grated apple or mashed banana are also easy to digest during a bout of diarrhea. Broth provides additional minerals.

To help prevent infections in the diaper area during diarrhea, we recommend that you change diapers more frequently . This helps prevent skin irritation and protects against a sore baby bottom . Gentle wipes with 99% water and a moist washcloth also keep your little explorer’s diaper area clean during a diarrheal illness and provide plenty of care .



How can you prevent diarrhea in children?

Once viruses and bacteria have settled in your little explorer’s body, you can no longer prevent a diarrheal illness. Plenty of affection is often the most helpful thing for your child then. Still, you can follow a few everyday tips to help protect your baby or toddler from common triggers of diarrhea:

  • Pay attention to hygiene and wash your little explorer's hands frequently . This helps remove germs and is especially important when your child is in the oral phase and often puts their hands in their mouth. For the same reason, you should also clean your toys regularly .

  • Wash food thoroughly . Of course, you should also do this for all foods you consume yourself. Since your child's gastrointestinal tract is still more sensitive, we recommend cleaning fruits and vegetables especially carefully before eating.

  • Remember to carefully clean kitchen appliances and surfaces . Bacteria can also settle here and may get into food during meal preparation.

  • Give your little explorer only drinking water that is labeled as such . Water from natural sources can cause diarrhea in your child.

If your child has acute diarrhea, monitor any accompanying symptoms closely and keep an eye on how the stool develops. If there is no improvement within 24 hours at the latest, we recommend consulting a pediatrician. If diarrhea occurs frequently, medical advice can also help identify the cause of your baby’s or toddler’s digestive problems. In any case, we hope your little explorer feels better again soon!

Foire aux questions

Why do babies have diarrhea when teething?

When babies get their first teeth, their immune system is weakened. This makes them more susceptible to bacteria and viruses, which can cause infections of the gastrointestinal tract, among other things.

What to do if my baby has diarrhea?

If your baby has diarrhea, you should first ensure that their mineral intake is maintained despite fluid loss. An electrolyte solution from the pharmacy or tea mixed with salt and dextrose can help, but this should only be given to children who are no longer exclusively breastfed or formula-fed. If, in addition to diarrhea, there is also fever, vomiting, or refusal to eat, you should seek a doctor as soon as possible.

My baby has diarrhea – what can it eat?

Infants who are normally breastfed should continue to receive breast milk. Babies who are already on complementary foods can additionally drink fennel or chamomile tea. Toddlers should, for example, be given rusks, mashed potatoes, grated apple, or broth during a diarrheal illness.

Diarrhea in toddlers – when should I see a doctor?

If you notice accompanying symptoms in your toddler, such as vomiting, high fever, or blood in the stool, you should consult a doctor. Also, if your toddler has more than 6 liquid stools within 24 hours, an examination is advisable, as dehydration threatens due to fluid and mineral loss.

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