Diarrhea

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is the sudden increase in the frequency and looseness of bowel movements (BMs). Mild diarrhea is the passage of a few loose or mushy BMs. Severe diarrhea is the passage of many watery BMs. The best indicator of the severity of the diarrhea is its frequency.

The main complication of diarrhea is dehydration from the loss of too much body fluid. Symptoms of dehydration are a dry mouth, the absence of tears, infrequent urination (for example, none in 8 hours), and a darker, concentrated urine. The main goal of diarrhea treatment is to prevent dehydration.

What is the cause?

Diarrhea is usually caused by a viral infection of the lining of the intestines (gastroenteritis). Sometimes it is caused by bacteria or parasites. Occasionally a food allergy or drinking too much fruit juice may cause diarrhea. If your child has just one or two loose bowel movements, the cause is probably toxins present in stale/fast food. A diet of nothing but clear fluids for more than 2 days may cause green, watery bowel movements (called "starvation stools").

How long will it last?

Diarrhea usually lasts several days to a week, regardless of the type of treatment. The main goal of treatment is to prevent dehydration. Your child needs to drink enough fluids to replace the fluids lost in the diarrhea. Don't expect a quick return to solid bowel movements.

What should I feed my child?

Increased fluids and dietary changes are the main treatment for diarrhea.

Note: One loose bowel movement can mean nothing. Don't start dietary changes until your child has had several loose bowel movements.

Mild diarrhea (loose BMs)

Continue a regular diet with a few simple changes. Give full-strength formula--as much as your baby wants. If your baby eats solid foods, offer more rice cereal, mashed potatoes, applesauce, strained bananas, and strained carrots. Avoid all fruit juices because they make diarrhea worse.

Frequent, watery diarrhea

Oral glucose-electrolyte solutions for 4 to 6 hours If your child has severe diarrhea and dark urine or not much urine, buy Kao Lectrolyte or Pedialyte at your pharmacy or supermarket. (These special solutions are not needed for diarrhea that is not severe.) If your child doesn't like the flavor, add a bit of KOOL-Aid powder or 2 drops of Nutrasweet. Give as much of the special liquid as your baby wants (at least 10 ml for every pound your child weighs each hour). Diarrhea makes children thirsty, and your job is to satisfy that thirst and prevent dehydration. Never restrict fluids when your child has diarrhea. Until you get one of these special solutions, continue giving your baby full-strength formula in unlimited amounts. Avoid giving your baby Jell-O water mixtures or sports drinks (they do not contain enough sodium). Fruit juice will make the diarrhea worse. If you aren't able to get an oral glucose-electrolyte solution, ask your doctor about making a homemade solution as follows: Mix 1/2 cup of dry infant rice cereal with 2 cups (16 ounces) of water and 1/4 level teaspoon of salt. Be careful not to add too much salt (to avoid the risk of salt poisoning).
Returning to formula After being given electrolyte fluids for 4 to 6 hours, your baby will be hungry, so begin her full-strength formula. Offer it more frequently than you normally do. If the diarrhea continues to be severe, switch to a soy formula. If you give cow's milk formula and the diarrhea doesn't improve after 3 days, change to a lactose-free formula (a soy formula or milk-based Lactofree). Often there is less diarrhea with soy formulas than with cow's milk formulas because the soy formulas don't contain milk sugar (lactose). If you need to start soy formula, plan to keep your baby on it until the diarrhea is gone for 3 days.
Continuing solids Foods that contain a lot of starch are more easily digested than other foods during diarrhea. If your baby is over 4 months old, continue solid foods. Good choices are: any cereal, applesauce, strained bananas, strained carrots, mashed potatoes, and other high-fiber foods.

How can I take care of my child?

Common mistakes Using boiled skim milk or any concentrated solution can cause serious complications for babies with diarrhea because it contains too much salt. KOOL-Aid, soda pop, or water should not be used as the only food because they contain little or no salt. Use only the fluids suggested here. Clear fluids alone should be used for only 4 to 6 hours because the body needs more calories than clear fluids can provide. Likewise, a diluted formula is not needed because regular formula contains enough water. The most dangerous myth is that the intestine should be "put to rest." Restricting fluids can cause dehydration. There is no effective, safe drug for diarrhea. Extra fluids and diet therapy work best.
Prevention Diarrhea is very contagious. Always wash your hands after changing diapers or using the toilet. This is crucial for keeping everyone in the family from getting diarrhea.
Diaper rash from diarrhea The skin near your baby's anus can become irritated by the diarrhea. Wash the area near the anus after each bowel movement and then protect it with a thick layer of petroleum jelly or other ointment. This protection is especially needed during the night and during naps. Changing the diaper quickly after bowel movements also helps.
Overflow diarrhea in a child not toilet-trained For children in diapers, diarrhea can be a mess. Place a cotton washcloth inside the diaper to trap some of the more watery BM. Use disposable superabsorbent diapers to cut down on cleanup time. Use the diapers with snug leg bands or cover the diapers with a pair of plastic pants. Wash your child under running water in the bathtub.
Vomiting with diarrhea If your child has vomited more than twice, follow your doctor's recommended treatment for vomiting instead of this treatment for diarrhea until your child has gone 8 hours without vomiting. A good approach is for your child to take one swallow of fluid at a time every 5 minutes. (See information on vomiting.)

When should I call my child's health care provider?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

There are signs of dehydration (no urine in more than 8 hours, very dry mouth, no tears).
Any blood appears in the diarrhea.
The diarrhea is severe (more than 8 BMs in the last 8 hours).
The diarrhea is watery AND your child repeatedly vomits.
Your child starts acting very sick.

Call during office hours if:

Mucus or pus appears in the BMs.
A fever lasts more than 3 days.
Mild diarrhea lasts more than 2 weeks.
You have other concerns or questions.

Diarrhea: Breast-fed Infants

What is diarrhea?

Is it diarrhea?

No matter how they look, the bowel movements of a breast-fed infant must be considered normal unless they contain mucus or blood or develop a bad odor. In fact, breast-fed babies may normally pass some green BMs or BMs with a water ring.

The frequency of bowel movements is also not much help in deciding whether your breast-fed baby has diarrhea. During the first 2 or 3 months of life, the breast-fed baby may normally have one BM after each feeding. However, if your baby's BMs abruptly increase in number, your baby probably has diarrhea. Other clues are poor eating, acting sick, and a fever.

What is the cause?

Diarrhea is usually caused by a viral infection of the lining of the intestines (gastroenteritis). Sometimes it is caused by bacteria or parasites. Occasionally a food allergy or drinking too much fruit juice may cause diarrhea. If your child has just one or two loose bowel movements, the cause is probably something unusual your child ate. A diet of nothing but clear fluids for more than 2 days may cause green, watery bowel movements (called "starvation stools").

How long will it last?

What should I feed my child?

Increased fluids and dietary changes are the main treatment for diarrhea. One loose bowel movement can mean nothing. Don't start dietary changes until your child has had several loose bowel movements.

Breast-feeding If your breast-fed baby has diarrhea, treatment is straightforward. Continue breast-feeding but at more frequent intervals. Don't stop breast-feeding your baby because your baby has diarrhea. For severe (watery and frequent) diarrhea, offer Kao Lectrolyte or Pedialyte between breast-feedings for 6 to 24 hours only if your baby is urinating less frequently than normal. You may have to stop breast-feeding temporarily if your baby is too exhausted to nurse and needs intravenous (IV) fluids for severe diarrhea and dehydration. Pump your breasts to maintain milk flow until you can breast-feed again (usually within 12 hours).
Continuing solids Foods that contain a lot of starch are more easily digested than other foods during diarrhea. If your baby is over 4 months old, continue with solid foods. Good choices are: any cereal, applesauce, strained bananas, strained carrots, mashed potatoes, and other high-fiber foods.
Mother's diet Remember that something in the mother's diet may cause a breast-fed baby to have more frequent or looser bowel movements--for example, coffee, cola, or herbal teas. If you suspect this, take it out of your diet and see what happens.

How can I take care of my child?

Prevention Diarrhea is very contagious. Always wash your hands after changing diapers or using the toilet. This is crucial for keeping everyone in the family from getting diarrhea.
Diaper rash from diarrhea The skin near your baby's anus can become irritated by the diarrhea. Wash the area near the anus after each bowel movement and then protect it with a thick layer of petroleum jelly or other ointment. This protection is especially needed during the night and during naps. Changing the diaper quickly after bowel movements also helps.
Overflow diarrhea For children in diapers, diarrhea can be a mess. Place a cotton washcloth inside the diaper to trap some of the more watery BM. Use disposable superabsorbent diapers to cut down on cleanup time. Use the diapers with snug leg bands or cover the diapers with a pair of plastic pants. Wash your child under running water in the bathtub.
Vomiting with diarrhea If your child has vomited more than twice, follow the recommended treatment for vomiting instead of this treatment for diarrhea until your child has gone 8 hours without vomiting. A good approach is for your child to take one swallow of fluid at a time every 5 minutes. (See information on vomiting.)

When should I call my child's health care provider?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

There are signs of dehydration (no urine in more than 8 hours, very dry mouth, no tears).
Any blood appears in the diarrhea.
The diarrhea is severe (more than 8 BMs in the last 8 hours).
The diarrhea is watery AND your child vomits repeatedly.
Your child starts acting very sick.

Call during office hours if:

Mucus or pus appears in the BMs.
A fever lasts more than 3 days.
Mild diarrhea lasts more than 2 weeks.

You have other concerns or questions.

Diarrhea: Toddler

What is diarrhea?

The main complication of diarrhea is dehydration from the loss of too much body fluid. Symptoms of dehydration are a dry mouth, the absence of tears, infrequent urination (for example, none in 12 hours), and a darker, concentrated urine. The main goal of diarrhea treatment is to prevent dehydration.

What is the cause?

Diarrhea is usually caused by a viral infection of the lining of the intestines (gastroenteritis). Sometimes it is caused by bacteria or parasites. Occasionally a food allergy or drinking too much fruit juice may cause diarrhea. If your child has just one or two loose bowel movements, the cause is probably something unusual your child ate. A diet of nothing but clear fluids for more than 2 days may cause green, watery bowel movements (called "starvation stools").

How long will it last?

What should I feed my child?

Increased fluids and dietary changes are the main treatment for diarrhea.

Note: One loose bowel movement can mean nothing. Don't start dietary changes until your child has had several loose bowel movements.

Frequent, watery diarrhea

Fluids Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. Give your child water as the main fluid for the first 24 hours of watery diarrhea. A child who is taking table foods doesn't need to get calories from milk. Most toddlers don't need oral glucose-electrolyte solutions such as Pedialyte unless the child is dehydrated. On day 2, offer some milk as well as water. Avoid fruit juices, because they all make diarrhea worse. If your child refuses solids, give your child milk (or formula) rather than water.
Table foods Keep giving your child table foods while he has diarrhea. The choice of food is important. Starchy foods are digested best. Examples of such foods are dried cereals, grains, bread, crackers, rice, noodles, mashed potatoes, carrots, applesauce and bananas. Pretzels or saltine crackers can help meet your child's need for sodium. On the second day of the diarrhea, if your child wants some protein, soft-boiled eggs and yogurt are usually easily digested.

Mild diarrhea (loose BMs)

Follow a regular diet with a few simple changes:

Eat more foods containing starch. Starchy foods are easily digested during diarrhea. Examples are cereal, breads, crackers, rice, mashed potatoes, and noodles.
Drink more water. Avoid all fruit juices.
Eat or drink less milk and milk products for a few days.
Avoid beans or any other foods that cause loose bowel movements.

How can I take care of my child?

Common mistakes KOOL-Aid, soda pop, or water should not be used as the only food because they contain little or no salt. Use only the fluids suggested here. Clear fluids alone should be used for only 4 to 6 hours because the body needs more calories than clear fluids can provide. The most dangerous myth is that the intestine should be "put to rest." Restricting fluids can cause dehydration. There is no effective, safe drug for diarrhea. Extra fluids and diet therapy work best.
Prevention Diarrhea is very contagious. Always wash your hands after changing diapers or using the toilet. This is crucial for keeping everyone in the family from getting diarrhea.
Diaper rash from diarrhea The skin near your child's anus can become irritated by the diarrhea. Wash the area near the anus after each bowel movement and then protect it with a thick layer of petroleum jelly or other ointment. This protection is especially needed during the night and during naps. Changing the diaper quickly after bowel movements also helps.
Overflow diarrhea in a child not toilet-trained For children in diapers, diarrhea can be a mess. Place a cotton washcloth inside the diaper to trap some of the more watery BM. Use disposable superabsorbent diapers to cut down on cleanup time. Use the diapers with snug leg bands or cover the diapers with a pair of plastic pants. Wash your child under running water in the bathtub.
Vomiting with diarrhea If your child has vomited more than twice, follow your doctor's recommended treatment for vomiting instead of this treatment for diarrhea until your child has gone 8 hours without vomiting.

When should I call my child's health care provider?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

There are signs of dehydration (no urine in more than 12 hours, very dry mouth, no tears).
Any blood appears in the diarrhea.
The diarrhea is severe (more than 8 BMs in the last 8 hours).
The diarrhea is watery AND your child also vomits repeatedly.
Your child starts acting very sick.

Call during office hours if:

Mucus or pus appears in the BMs.
A fever lasts more than 3 days.
Mild diarrhea lasts more than 2 weeks.

You have other concerns or questions.

Diarrhea: Children (age 3 and older)

What is diarrhea?

The main complication of diarrhea is dehydration from the loss of too much body fluid. Symptoms of dehydration are a dry mouth, the absence of tears, infrequent urination (for example, none in 12 hours), and a darker, concentrated urine. The main goal of diarrhea treatment is to prevent dehydration.

What is the cause?

Diarrhea is usually caused by a viral infection of the lining of the intestines (gastroenteritis). Sometimes it is caused by bacteria or parasites. Occasionally a food allergy or drinking too much fruit juice may cause diarrhea. If your child has just one or two loose bowel movements, the cause is probably something unusual your child ate. A diet of nothing but clear fluids for more than 2 days may cause green, watery bowel movements (called "starvation stools").

How long will it last?

What should I feed my child?

Increased fluids and dietary changes are the main treatment for diarrhea.

Note: One loose bowel movement can mean nothing. Don't start dietary changes until your child has had several loose bowel movements.

Mild diarrhea (loose BMs)

Follow a regular diet with a few simple changes:

Eat more foods containing starch. Starchy foods are easily digested during diarrhea. Examples are cereal, breads, crackers, rice, mashed potatoes, and noodles.
Drink more water. Avoid all fruit juices.
Eat or drink less milk and milk products for a few days.
Avoid beans or any other foods that cause loose bowel movements.

Severe diarrhea

Fluids Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. Offer water as the main fluid for the first 24 hours of watery diarrhea. On day 2, offer some milk as well as water. Avoid fruit juices, because they all make diarrhea worse. If your child refuses to eat solid food, give your child milk rather than water.
Foods Keep giving your child food while he has diarrhea. The choice of food is important. Starchy foods are digested best. Examples of such foods are dried cereals, grains, bread, crackers, rice, noodles, mashed potatoes, carrots, applesauce and bananas. Pretzels or saltine crackers can help meet your child's need for sodium. On the second day of the diarrhea, if your child wants some protein, soft-boiled eggs or yogurt are usually easily digested.

How can I take care of my child?

Common mistakes KOOL-Aid, soda pop, or water should not be used as the only food because they contain little or no salt. Use only the fluids suggested here. The most dangerous myth is that the intestine should be "put to rest." Restricting fluids can cause dehydration. There is no effective, safe drug for diarrhea. Extra fluids and diet therapy work best.
Prevention Diarrhea is very contagious. Always wash your hands after changing diapers or using the toilet. This is crucial for keeping everyone in the family from getting diarrhea.
Vomiting with diarrhea If your child has vomited more than twice, follow the recommended treatment for vomiting instead of this treatment for diarrhea until your child has gone 8 hours without vomiting.

When should I call my child's health care provider?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

There are signs of dehydration (no urine in more than 12 hours, very dry mouth, no tears).
Any blood appears in the diarrhea.
The diarrhea is severe (more than 8 BMs in the last 8 hours).
The diarrhea is watery AND your child also vomits repeatedly.
Your child starts acting very sick.

Call during office hours if:

Mucus or pus appears in the BMs.
A fever lasts more than 3 days.
Mild diarrhea lasts more than 2 weeks.
You have other concerns or questions.

Diarrhea For Teenagers

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is the sudden increase in the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Mild diarrhea is the passage of a few loose or mushy bowel movements. Severe diarrhea is the passage of many watery bowel movements. The best indicator of the severity of the diarrhea is its frequency.

The main complication of diarrhea is dehydration from excessive loss of body fluids. Symptoms of dehydration are a dry mouth, the absence of tears, infrequent urination (for example, none in 12 hours), and a darker, concentrated urine. The main goal of diarrhea treatment is to prevent dehydration.

What causes diarrhea?

Diarrhea is usually caused by a viral infection of the lining of the intestines (gastroenteritis). Sometimes it is caused by bacteria or parasites. Bacterial diarrhea usually causes blood or lots of mucus in the stools. Occasionally a food allergy or drinking too much fruit juice may cause diarrhea. If you have just one or two loose bowel movements, the cause was probably something unusual you ate.

How long will it last?

Diarrhea usually lasts from several days to a week, regardless of the type of treatment. The main goal of therapy is to prevent dehydration by making sure you drink enough fluids to replace the fluids lost in the diarrhea. Don't expect a quick return to solid bowel movements.

How can I take care of myself?

Diet Eat a regular diet with a few simple changes:
- Eat more foods containing starch since these are easily digested during diarrhea. Examples are cereals, breads, crackers, rice, mashed potatoes and noodles.
- Drink more water or diluted KOOL-Aid or diluted Gatorade
- Avoid fruit juices because they make diarrhea worse.
- Eat or drink less milk and milk products (except active-culture yogurt) for a few days.
- Avoid beans or any other foods that cause loose bowel movements.

You can go back to your normal diet 1 day after the diarrhea is gone, which is usually in 3 or 4 days.

Common mistakes The most dangerous myth is that the intestine should be "put to rest"; avoiding fluids can cause dehydration. There is no effective, safe drug for diarrhea. Extra fluids and diet therapy work best.
Prevention Diarrhea is very contagious. Always wash your hands after using the toilet. This is crucial for keeping everyone in the family from getting diarrhea.
Vomiting with diarrhea If you vomit more than twice, treatment of the vomiting should take priority over the treatment of diarrhea until you have gone 8 hours without vomiting. Follow your doctor's recommended treatment for vomiting.

When should I call my health care provider?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

You have signs of dehydration (no urine in more than 12 hours, very dry mouth, no tears).
Any blood appears in the diarrhea.
Your diarrhea is severe (more than 8 BMs in the last 8 hours).
The diarrhea is watery AND you have also vomited repeatedly.

Call during office hours if:

Mucus or pus appears in your BMs.
You have a fever for more than 3 days.
Mild diarrhea lasts more than 2 weeks.

You have other concerns or questions.

Dehydration

What is dehydration?

Dehydration is a condition in which the body doesn't have enough water to function properly. Your child's body can lose a lot of water if he or she has diarrhea, is vomiting, or has been exercising for a long time without having anything to drink. If water is not adequately replaced in the body, complications can include decreased activity, weakness, electrolyte imbalances, and, in cases of extreme dehydration, death.

Infants and young children are at greatest risk for dehydration. Sick children may become dehydrated if they do not feel well enough to drink, have stomach pain, or a fever.

With mild dehydration, children may:

have sticky or dry mouths
urinate less
be thirstier than usual.

With more severe dehydration, children often:

have decreased alertness
have sunken eyes
urinate much less, if at all
lose weight.

Dehydration can be a medical emergency. Call your doctor IMMEDIATELY because your child may need to be seen at hospital if:

Your child's activity level is greatly decreased.
Your child is difficult to arouse.
Your child appears limp and weak.
Your child doesn't seem to recognize you.

How can I help take care of my child?

Encourage your child to drink. Since dehydration, no matter what the cause, involves high loss of body water, the goal is to replace it. The method used to give your child fluid may depend on the type of illness causing the dehydration. For instance, the type and rate of fluid replacement in a child who is vomiting and has diarrhea is different from fluid replacement in a child who is dehydrated from sports activity.

Mild dehydration due to illness in infants under 1 year old

Encourage, but do not force, your child to drink. If you are not breast-feeding your child, give him or her special clear liquids with electrolytes, such as Pedialyte or Kao Lectrolyte, instead of formula for the first 12 to 24 hours. These oral electrolyte solutions are available without prescription at supermarkets and drugstores. If you are breast-feeding and your baby is urinating less often than normal, offer an electrolyte solution between breast-feedings for the first 6 to 24 hours.

If your child is vomiting, give frequent small amounts of breast milk or the electrolyte fluids rather than less frequent large amounts. The child will be better able to keep the liquid down and will still get the same amount of fluid.

For most illnesses, start giving a bottle-fed baby full-strength formula again after 12 to 24 hours of the clear liquids.

Mild dehydration due to illness in children over 1 year old

Encourage but do not force your child to drink. Popsicles and half-strength lemon-lime soft drinks (half water, half soft drink) may be given to start. You can also try giving your child water or ice chips. Avoid all fruit juices.

If your child is vomiting, he or she should drink small frequent amounts of liquid rather than large infrequent amounts. Start with 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon every 5 minutes and increase gradually.

If your child is not vomiting or having diarrhea, water alone works well for rehydration in the first few hours, although your child may eat regular food if he or she is hungry.

After a few hours of clear liquids, start giving your child liquids and foods with energy sources (sugar) and nutritional value.

Mild dehydration due to exertion in older children

Follow the instructions given above for mild dehydration in children over 1 year old. Your child will probably be quite thirsty and should be allowed to drink as much as she or he wants. Pure water is acceptable for the first hour or two, but after this, your child will need drinks containing sugar or regular food. Also, your child should rest from the activity in a cool, shaded environment until he or she is rehydrated.

Mistakes to avoid

Clear liquids should not be used alone for longer than 12 to 24 hours.
Avoid highly concentrated solutions, such as boiled milk, and drinks with a lot of sugar such as colas and apple juice (unless they are diluted with water).
If your child is vomiting and you are giving him small, frequent amounts of fluid, remember to gradually increase the amount of fluids you are giving.

How can I help prevent dehydration?

Make sure your child drinks often during strenuous activities, such as prolonged sports, or during exposure to hot, dry, or windy environments.
Remember that children frequently become mildly dehydrated during travel or when fluids aren't readily available. Encourage drinking during travel and carry water with you whenever possible.
At the first sign of vomiting or diarrhea, encourage fluids as advised for those illnesses.

When should I call the doctor?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

Your child does not make tears while crying.
Your child has a dry or sticky mouth.
Your child has no urine in over 8 hours.
Your child is dizzy or unsteady while standing or walking.
Your child appears less alert than usual.
Your child refuses to drink fluids despite your encouragement.
Your child starts to act very sick.

Your child's vomiting is worsening or lasting longer than 24 hours.

Excessive Gas (Flatulence)

What is excessive gas?

A normal but embarrassing part of life is to pass bowel gas on a daily basis. Most people also belch or burp up stomach gas occasionally. In fact, the average adult on a regular diet passes gas 10 to 20 times a day. This amounts to approximately 1 quart of gas per day. Gas should not be considered excessive unless it occurs at more than twice the normal frequency.

What is the cause?

Swallowed air. The main causes of normal gas are swallowed air, gas-producing foods, and certain diseases that interfere with sugar absorption. Every baby is somewhat "gassy" because of swallowing air during sucking. This process is increased by sucking on a clogged nipple, a nipple with too small an opening, a bottle that does not have milk in it, a pacifier, the thumb, or a blanket. Babies also swallow air during crying. Older children swallow air with gum-chewing. Children with nasal allergies swallow air if they sniff a lot. Some children have a nervous habit of frequent swallowing. The carbonation in soft drinks releases gas in the stomach. Stomach gas is more likely to pass into the intestines if a child is lying down.
Certain foods. Some foods (such as beans) are made up of complex carbohydrates that are not completely digested in the small bowel. These foods are converted into gas by bacteria in the large bowel. Eating beans can increase gas production tenfold.
Lactose intolerance. The most common medical problem that causes increased gas is milk intolerance. This is when you cannot digest milk very well. The enzyme (lactase) that normally digests milk sugar (lactose) slowly decreases in amount between ages 4 and 20 in many people. The undigested lactose is converted into gas by the bacteria in the large bowel. The amount of gas produced depends upon the amount of milk you drink. Symptoms of bloating, diarrhea cramping, and passing a lot of gas usually don't occur unless you drink more than 1 quart a day.
Diarrhea and constipation. Gas can be temporarily increased with bouts of infectious diarrhea. Gas can also build up behind constipation and can be released in large amounts.

How can I take care of my child?

In general, passage of gas causes no symptoms. By age 5 or 6 most children can be taught to release gas in a quiet and socially acceptable manner. Gas does not need to be released by inserting anything in the rectum.

Air swallowing can be reduced by getting rid some of the habits listed above (for example, sucking on a pacifier).

Reduced intake of beans and carbonated beverages will decrease gas production in all children.

If you feel your child has a milk intolerance (especially if it runs in the family), only give your child 2 or 3 glasses of milk a day. Milk does not need to be completely eliminated in most people with this problem. Your child can keep eating yogurt because it is easy to digest. Supplemental enzyme lactase drops or pills can also be taken with milk products. If the symptoms continue after you've made these minor diet changes, talk to your child's health care provider.

When should I call my child's health care provider?

Call during office hours if:

Your child develops loose stools that last over 7 days.
Your child loses weight.
You have other questions or concerns.

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Diarrhea

Diarrhea

Diarrhea

What is diarrhea?

What is the cause?

How long will it last?

What should I feed my child?

How can I take care of my child?

When should I call my child's health care provider?

Diarrhea: Breast-fed Infants

What is diarrhea?

Is it diarrhea?

What is the cause?

How long will it last?

What should I feed my child?

How can I take care of my child?

When should I call my child's health care provider?

Diarrhea: Toddler

What is diarrhea?

What is the cause?

How long will it last?

What should I feed my child?

How can I take care of my child?

When should I call my child's health care provider?

Diarrhea: Children (age 3 and older)

What is diarrhea?

What is the cause?

How long will it last?

What should I feed my child?

How can I take care of my child?

When should I call my child's health care provider?

Diarrhea For Teenagers

What is diarrhea?

What causes diarrhea?

How long will it last?

How can I take care of myself?

When should I call my health care provider?

Dehydration

What is dehydration?

How can I help take care of my child?

How can I help prevent dehydration?

When should I call the doctor?

Excessive Gas (Flatulence)

What is excessive gas?

What is the cause?

How can I take care of my child?

When should I call my child's health care provider?

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