Food Choices for Children with Diarrhea, Important for Parents to Know

Food Choices for Children with Diarrhea, Important for Parents to Know

When your little one is having diarrhea, Mother needs to be more selective in giving the food she will consume. The reason is that food for children with diarrhea is important to be given so that the body's fluid and nutritional needs are still fulfilled. If you give the wrong food, your little one's condition can get worse.

Diarrhea is actually one of the body's natural ways to rid itself of germs, viruses, or harmful substances that enter the digestive tract. In children, the most common cause of diarrhea is rotavirus infection.

When experiencing diarrhea, a child may experience several symptoms in the form of loose or loose stools, defecation more than 3 times a day, abdominal pain, dizziness and weakness, nausea and vomiting, and fever.

Often diarrhea caused by a viral infection resolves on its own in 2–5 days. However, this condition can make the child look weak and dehydrated.

That is why it is important for mothers to give your little one enough food and drink to prevent him from becoming dehydrated. Several food choices for children with diarrhea can also help relieve the symptoms of diarrhea that your little one feels.

Suggested Foods for Children with Diarrhea

As previously explained, although most diarrhea will resolve on its own within a few days, parents need to be alert in dealing with diarrhea in children. One of the important steps in caring for a child with diarrhea is to provide adequate fluids and appropriate food for children with diarrhea.

While giving diarrhea medicine to children, you should consult a doctor first. The reason is that giving diarrhea medicine to children must be adjusted to the causes, symptoms that appear, and the child's overall health condition.

If the baby or child is still breastfeeding, he can still be given breast milk regularly or every time he vomits and has diarrhea.

For children who can already consume solid food (over the age of 6 months), they can be given water, breast milk, and drinks that contain electrolytes, such as coconut water, to prevent dehydration. However, it is not recommended for mothers to give fruit juice, because it can thin the stool of the little one.

In addition, there are several types of food that are good for children to eat when they have diarrhea, including:
  • Rice or porridge
  • Bread
  • Cooked eggs
  • Soup
  • Boiled or baked potato or sweet potato
  • Cooked vegetables, such as carrots, mushrooms, or chickpeas
  • Beef, chicken, or fish, cooked until done
Not only some of the foods above, children can also be given food or drinks that contain probiotics such as yogurt.

Meanwhile, some types of food that should be avoided by children when they have diarrhea are fried foods, oily foods, processed or fast food, and pastries.

Also avoid giving fruits and vegetables that can cause gas, such as broccoli, bell peppers, corn, peas, and berries.

By doing a good pattern of feeding and drinking, diarrhea will usually heal within a few days. In principle, you need to replace the fluid that comes out every time your little one finishes defecating or vomiting.

If your little one can't eat large portions, try feeding him small portions but more often.

If your little one's condition doesn't improve, you can take your little one to the doctor for an examination. After examining your child, the doctor will provide the right treatment for diarrhea according to his condition.

How to Prevent Diarrhea in Children

Better to prevent than cure. This also applies to children who have diarrhea. To prevent your little one from diarrhea, you can take the following steps:
  • Make sure your little one is diligent in washing their hands properly, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables well before processing and consuming them.
  • Clean or wash cooking utensils thoroughly before and after use.
  • Give your little one clean and hygienic drinking water and food.
  • Make sure the food served is perfectly cooked.
Diarrhea in children usually heals on its own within a few days, as long as the little one is still given enough food and drink. However, you still need to be vigilant if your little one experiences the following signs and symptoms:
  • Watery stools more than 4 times in 8 hours
  • Diarrhea lasts more than 3 days
  • Looks so weak
  • Vomiting yellow or green liquid
  • Fever
  • Blood stains in his stool
  • Not urinating for 12 hours
  • Lips look very dry or if he cries without tears
Do not underestimate diarrhea in children, yes, Bun. Quick response actions in dealing with this disorder, including providing the right food choices for children with diarrhea, will greatly help in the little one's recovery process.

If your little one doesn't get better despite being given food for diarrhea, especially if he experiences some of the symptoms above, immediately take your little one to the doctor.