Diarrhea in a 2 year old child. Dietary nutrition for a two-year-old child with diarrhea. Nutrition for children over one year old

24.02.2017

Disorder digestive system or diarrhea is a rather unpleasant manifestation and anyone can encounter it. If for adults this condition is tolerable to a certain extent, then children suffer greatly from indigestion. The task of their parents is to understand the reason for this phenomenon and take all possible measures to eliminate stomach upset. It is worth understanding what the diet for diarrhea in a 2-year-old child consists of and how to compose it correctly.

Causes of the disorder

The body of a 2-year-old child is not as developed as that of an adult, so diarrhea can be caused by any product that is poorly accepted by the body. In addition to food, there are a number of other reasons that become provoking factors for the disease. The treatment of the cause of the manifestation must be dealt with by a doctor, but it is worth keeping it in mind when creating a diet, which cannot be avoided in any case.

The nature of feces changes in a child with age, as does its quantity. At two years old, the baby should not go to the potty more than twice a day. At this age, feces begin to take shape and become less liquid than at one year of age.

When defecating, the child should not release feces:

liquid consistency;
with inclusions of pus and blood;
there should be no veins in it;
the color should be brown, not yellow or with yellowish inclusions.

All of these signs are considered a deviation from the norm at the age of two years in children. If any are detected, the causes should be identified and the necessary measures taken.

Important: if the feces are too hard, this also indicates abnormalities in digestion. It may be necessary to reconsider your diet.

Diet for diarrhea

When a child has loose stools, the first thing to do is determine the diet. The preparation of such a diet has several basic principles:

replenish fluid that leaves the body during diarrhea;
Feeding should be done gradually, in small portions;
products are selected in such a way that intestinal motility does not increase during their digestion;
food should be salty;
eliminate foods from the diet that have a choleretic effect;
vegetables and fruits should be subjected to heat treatment before consumption;
The temperature of food and drink should be neither cold nor hot.

Important: if a child refuses to eat at first, then you should not force him. In this case, hunger will only be beneficial. But fluid must enter the body.

Drinking for diarrhea

Even if you refuse to drink, the child must be persuaded to drink by any means. It is best for the baby to drink on his own, so he can quickly replenish the lack of fluid. But if the baby does not agree to drink on his own, then you should pour small amounts of liquid into him using a syringe, removing the needle. This event must be carried out every 10-15 minutes.

The following drinks are suitable for this situation:

ordinary water;
mineral water, but without gases;
compotes based on dried fruits (prunes are prohibited from being added to compotes; this dried fruit promotes the formation loose stool);
herbal poisons (rose hips, chamomile, etc. are suitable);
raisin compote;
rice broth;
carrot decoction;
weak green tea, slightly sweetened;
blueberry compote.

During the period of stomach upset, you should not give your child the following drinks, which increase diarrhea:

freshly squeezed natural juices;
plum and apricot compotes;
kefir;
coffee drink;
dairy products.

If diarrhea does not stop within several hours, then it is better to use pharmaceutical products, which are intended for oral rehydration. This will help restore in a short period of time normal level water-salt balance. Powder preparations from which it is best to prepare a solution:

Regidron;
Elktrolyte Humana;
Oralit;
Gatrolite.

If it is not possible to get to the pharmacy and purchase such products and they are not in the medicine cabinet either, then there are homemade recipes for solutions that should be prepared in such a situation:

Add sugar (2 tbsp), salt and soda (1 tsp each) to a volume of 1 liter of water.
For a volume of water of 1 liter, add half a teaspoon of salt, sugar (2 tablespoons) and a banana, which is first kneaded into porridge.

Important: these solutions are consumed every 10 minutes, one teaspoon at a time.

Diet food

In addition to the fact that the baby must be provided with water, you should know what to feed the child with diarrhea. The diet needs to be balanced, remove as much fat as possible and reduce the amount of food. A child's stomach should not be overloaded in this condition. The nutritional system for diarrhea is as follows:

Dehydration occurs in the first half of the day and at this time the child’s body does not need food. During this period, it is necessary to provide as much fluid as possible to the child.
After a 6-8 hour period, a feeling of hunger usually occurs. It is allowed at this time to give the baby rice water to drink and not to eat. a large number of liquid rice porridge. The food needs to be salted a little.
If the condition improves after a day, then it is allowed to start a diet. The portion size should be half the usual size, and the frequency of meals should be up to 6 times a day.
After 2-3 days, the process of stool normalization should begin. During this period, it is necessary to continue to adhere to dietary nutrition. The duration of the diet can be up to three weeks, but not less than 6 days. This depends on the severity of the disease in the child.

A general list of products that a diet for diarrhea in a two-year-old child contains:

light soups cooked in vegetable broth (onions, carrots, potatoes);
low-fat soups, with the addition of a small amount of chicken breast;
oatmeal (liquid);
buckwheat and rice porridge;
semolina cooked in water;
boiled poultry meat;
boiled fish;
bran bread;
biscuits.

In addition to products prepared by frying, with the addition of hot and spicy seasonings, smoked products, fatty and sweet, there are those that are also not recommended to be consumed:

meat (beef, pork), especially fatty meat;
curd products;
legumes;
milk products;
containing large amounts of animal fat (butter and lard);
jam, jam;
any chocolate.

Nutrition after diarrhea

When baby is coming recovery, it is very important to understand that even complete elimination of the symptoms of indigestion and restoration of normal feces does not mean that the child’s body has returned to a normal state and is ready to cope with the previous volumes of food. You need to come to your usual diet very smoothly and gradually.

Diet food you need to continue for at least 3-4 days after all symptoms stop. If you start feeding your baby heavy food, there is a risk of either renewing the disease or developing other problems in the form of heartburn, flatulence and stomach pain. The amount of food that the stomach is not yet able to cope with will accumulate in the intestines, which promises the occurrence of various types of infections.

When switching to a regular diet, it is better to use the following recommendations:

You need to feed the child only if he wants it himself. You should never force someone to eat. In such a situation, the lack of food will be much more beneficial than forcibly overloading the stomach.
After the symptoms of indigestion disappear and appetite appears, it is best to feed the child mashed potatoes, boiled fish or chicken; baked apples are good for dessert. The last dish helps restore the intestinal microflora well.
The diet for a week after diarrhea should consist of liquid porridges cooked in water. It is still not recommended to eat juices, fruits, and dairy products.
For two weeks, it is forbidden to give salty and spicy foods, as well as smoked and fried foods.
You need to include new foods in your diet gradually, one per day. You should not supplement your diet with several products, because it is very important to observe the body’s reaction. And this is easiest to do by including something new separately.
During this period, we must not forget about drinking, which should be consumed in large quantities.

Important: if, after eliminating the symptoms, the child does not have an appetite for a long time, and the body rejects the new diet, then it is necessary to contact a pediatrician. Perhaps there is an infection in the body that could not be overcome.

Doctor's help

Do not confuse diet with treating a disease. Dietary nutrition is always present when a child has an upset stomach. However, it is impossible to do without examination by a specialist and establishing the cause that caused such a manifestation. Only a doctor can prescribe the necessary medications that will eliminate the source of the problem.

If diarrhea is not accompanied by any additional symptoms, then you should go to the pediatrician. If, in addition to an upset stomach, lethargy, nausea, dizziness, or fever are observed, then you urgently need to call an ambulance. Such manifestations indicate serious illnesses organisms that you cannot cope with on your own.

Video: Intestinal infections

Diarrhea is a stool disorder manifested by a change in its consistency and frequency.

Table of contents:

Causes of diarrhea

Gastrointestinal intestinal tract in infants it is weak, and its defense mechanisms are not fully developed, so it is very susceptible to low-quality products and other factors.

Most common cause is dysbiosis, that is, an imbalance of microorganisms in the intestines. During the first months, a newborn’s digestion adapts to new conditions and forms a microbiological environment. Any changes in nutrition disrupt the balance of flora and digestive conditions.

Excessive feeding and large amounts of liquid can cause diarrhea and disrupt the functioning of the intestines, since it does not have time to process a lot of food.

Babies are very susceptible to viral and bacterial infections, which are combined with diarrhea. In this case, diarrhea is usually combined with other symptoms and a deterioration in the baby’s well-being.

Often, complementary feeding leads to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. This especially happens with poor quality, with high content nitrates or undercooked foods.

The congenital absence of enzymes that break down lactose contributes to its accumulation in the lumen and deterioration of water absorption.

In older children, worms living in the intestines irritate the mucous membrane, which increases fluid secretion and wall contraction, contributing to the development of intestinal disorders.

Diarrhea often occurs when consuming large amounts sweet water, soda and unbalanced foods containing a lot of carbohydrates, but not enough proteins and fats. For example, when a child eats cakes, chocolate, and candies in excess, diarrhea develops due to the retention of sugars in the intestines, while general state remains unchanged.

Stress is especially strong and negatively affects intestinal motility. In this case, stool disorder is combined with mild abdominal pain.

Normal stool standards for a child

The amount and nature of feces depends on age:

in the first year of life artificial nutrition it has a not too liquid consistency, similar to gruel, Brown, up to 4 times a day;
in a child who is fed milk, the stool is yellowish and bowel movements occur more often - 6 times a day;
after 2 years feces begin to take shape, the number of trips to the potty is no more than 2 times;
By the 3rd year, feces become like those of adults.

In any case, there should be no pathological contents - pus, blood or its streaks, particles of undigested food.

Symptoms of lack of fluid

When diarrhea and vomiting continue for a long time, dehydration can develop - loss of a large volume of water.

The main symptom is rare urination, the amount of urine decreases, it becomes rich and dark. The skin becomes dry, its elasticity decreases, and in severe cases, tears may disappear. The child becomes lethargic and inactive.

If such symptoms occur, especially with vomiting, then the diet should include plenty of liquid.

Principles of creating a diet for diarrhea

Food must meet the following conditions:

replenishment of lost fluid;
you need to start feeding gradually;
food should be light and not increase intestinal motility;
food must be salted;
exclude foods with choleretic properties;
eat vegetables and fruits after heat treatment;
food and drink should not be too cold or hot.

What to feed if you have an intestinal disorder?

Food should have astringent and enveloping properties and not irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. At first, you need to feed him porridge - rice or oatmeal cooked in water without additives, you can just add a little sugar. Millet and buckwheat should not be cooked, as they are difficult to digest and absorb.

As your condition improves, you can include grated vegetables in your diet; this will facilitate their absorption and reduce irritation of the mucous membrane. On the third day, you are allowed to make dishes from fish or lean meat, best cooked in a steam bath. Fruits should be limited, except for bananas and apples, the latter should be baked or given peeled. On the fourth day, the menu expands - cottage cheese dishes are allowed.

After the stool has returned to normal and the child begins to feel better, it is allowed to drink fermented milk products. First, a little kefir, and after a week milk.

What should you exclude from your diet if you have diarrhea?

Do not give foods with a pronounced laxative effect. Thus, juices and beets increase gastrointestinal motility and promote water retention in the intestines, so they should be removed from the diet.

It is necessary to exclude raw vegetables and nuts. Do not feed foods that promote fermentation. Also, do not give strong rich soups, hot, spicy or sour dishes.

During diarrhea, especially at the beginning, you should exclude kefir and other dairy drinks, as well as any juices.

Features of infant nutrition

Formula-fed children continue to be fed formula, but after consultation with a doctor, they select another one; as a rule, fermented milk is recommended. For milk-fed infants, everything remains the same.

In both cases, you need to change the infant's feeding regimen. Formulas or milk are given often, but the single portion is reduced, and the number of daily doses will be 4-6 times a day. The main thing is to remember that the child does not need to be overfed, since a large amount of food does not have time to be processed by enzymes and increases intestinal contractions.

If diarrhea occurs during complementary feeding, then you should wait a while. After feeling better, it should be started in the first half of the day, so that violations can be identified in the evening and do not disturb the baby’s sleep.

Even short-term diarrhea in infants can lead to severe fluid loss. To prevent this condition, they are given plenty to drink - for babies under one and a half years old, only boiled water is better, for older ones, tea or compote is allowed.

You need to drink in small sips using a pipette or syringe without a needle. Water should be given after defecation; more precisely, the volume and frequency are determined by the doctor.

Diet for children 2-3 years old

On the first day of illness, you need to limit or eliminate fermented milk products and drink only jelly or weak tea. The next day you can feed with crackers from white bread and porridge on the water. After the second day, you are allowed to eat processed fruits. Apples have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. They can be served baked, or peeled, grated and pureed. During the same period, it is useful to feed with cottage cheese, to which it is good to add banana puree. By the fourth day, it is allowed to add meat dishes from lean chicken, for example, meatballs or cutlets, to the diet. Of the cereals, you can give rice and oatmeal for any diarrhea.

We must not forget about water losses, especially in the first day. The child needs to drink more liquid - compotes, tea, herbal decoctions.

Nutrition for older children

The diet should not only replenish lost substances and water, but also act on the cause that caused the malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.

For example, for diarrhea caused by eating sweets and carbonated drinks, the diet should be low in carbohydrates and high in protein and fat. It is necessary to exclude potatoes, reduce the amount of white bread and flour.

The first day is best not to feed anything; this will provide functional rest to the gastrointestinal tract. During this period, you can only drink solutions to restore fluid.

Then you can cook light food - oatmeal. Finely chopped fruits and vegetables in puree form are recommended. For 2-3 days you can prepare dishes from fruits, vegetables and lean meat.

Dairy products with a low fat content are allowed, but it is better to exclude them completely and give them after the condition improves.

After recovery, you can drink whey for 4-6 days; it helps restore the balance of microorganisms. Drink 3 glasses a day, you can add salt for taste. Decoctions of berries - rose hips and blueberries - are also recommended.

To restore lost fluid, it is better to use special solutions rather than water. For example, add a teaspoon of soda, salt and 4 tablespoons of sugar per liter of water. This mixture will replenish lost water and help retain it.

Any diarrhea requires the exclusion of fatty foods, because it stimulates the secretion of bile, which affects the motility of the gastrointestinal tract.

Increased accumulation of gases causes excessive contractions of the intestinal wall, unpleasant painful sensations, so eating legumes is not recommended.

Even with diarrhea with unexpressed general changes, it would be a good idea to consult with your doctor and coordinate your nutrition before using any diet.

The human digestive system is exposed to significant stress every day. People test their stomach's strength with an abundance of heavy food, excess alcohol, and harmful chemical additives.

In addition to all this, the gastrointestinal tract is attacked by various viruses and bacteria.

Therefore, it is not surprising that many people suffer from acute and chronic diseases of the digestive system, among which diarrhea and bloating are common.

These symptoms may indicate either a minor and temporary disruption of the gastrointestinal tract or serious, sometimes very dangerous diseases requiring immediate medical attention.

This article will tell you why bloating and diarrhea occur, the reasons that cause such unpleasant phenomena.

It will also consider in which cases medical care is needed, and in which cases, if there is bloating and diarrhea, treatment can be carried out at home.

Flatulence and diarrhea. What causes them

As already mentioned, there are a lot of reasons that cause such rather unpleasant phenomena as bloating, pain and diarrhea.

If diarrhea appears once and does not last more than two days, there are no signs of intoxication, vomiting or fever, then, most likely, ordinary home remedies can easily cope with it - rice water, tea leaves, a few black peppercorns, swallowed whole.

But if diarrhea occurs frequently and is accompanied by severe bloating, it is joined sharp pains, nausea, then the causes of the illness are more serious and consultation with a specialist is required.

What causes bloating and diarrhea?

Dysbacteriosis – can develop against the background long-term use antibacterial drugs, not proper nutrition. It is manifested by increased production of gases in the intestines due to incomplete breakdown of food, which causes bloating.
Lactose intolerance – congenital pathology, in which the body does not absorb lactose.
Celiac disease – genetic disease, which is characterized by gluten intolerance.
Poisoning and acute intestinal infections.
Intestinal obstruction.
Irritable bowel syndrome.
Dysentery.
Nonspecific ulcerative colitis.
Crohn's disease.

All these conditions require a different approach to the choice of treatment; only one-time uncomplicated stomach upset can be treated at home.

If after eating you experience bloating, rumbling in the stomach, and then diarrhea, you can help yourself by taking Espumisan - it will eliminate the bloating and the pain it causes.

Loperamide will help with diarrhea, but you should not get too carried away with it, since this remedy is very strong and can cause constipation if abused.

For abdominal cramps, you can take No-shpa, Trimedat will restore gastric motility, and Smecta or Atoxil will remove toxins.

It’s a good idea to fast for one or two days, and then go on a diet for several days, including boiled potatoes, rice, lean meat, dried fruit jelly, biscuits, stale bread or crackers.

But what if bloating and abdominal pain bother you constantly, do not go away or disappear for a short time after taking the medicine, and then return again.

The cause may be ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Both diseases are manifested by inflammation of the intestinal walls, but if colitis affects mainly the intestines, then Crohn's disease affects all organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

Nonspecific ulcerative colitis can be suspected if there is blood in the stool with persistent diarrhea, and a blood test shows increased ESR and anemia.

The main symptoms of Crohn's disease are abdominal pain, diarrhea, stomatitis (usually aphthous), and ulcerations in the anus.

The disease is very serious, left untreated can cause life-threatening complications - abscesses, fistulas, heavy bleeding, leading to anemia and even shock, peritonitis, which requires immediate surgical intervention.

Another disease in which there is frequent bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea, is Irritable Bowel Syndrome. There are three forms of this disease:

Accompanied by frequent diarrhea.
Constipation occurs constantly.
Mixed form - constipation is replaced by diarrhea.

The treatment of this disease consists in correcting the way of life - you need to avoid stressful situations, get good sleep (at least 8 hours a day), a gentle diet, small meals, light exercise when there is no diarrhea.

In cases where cramps are bothering you, a warm heating pad in the abdominal area or a hot bath will help.

Another very dangerous one infectious disease, causing diarrhea, is dysentery.

You can get this disease by eating stale food, in which, under improper storage conditions, Shigella, a dysentery pathogen that is very resistant to environmental influences, multiplies.

The characteristic symptoms of the disease are constant pain in the lower abdomen, which then become cramping and intensify before bowel movement.

Further development of the infection causes headache, feeling hot, fever, increased temperature, severe weakness, decreased appetite and blood pressure.

In severe forms of dysentery, the symptoms intensify, the temperature rises to 40 degrees and above, vomiting appears, stools become more frequent up to 20 times a day or more, intoxication increases, pain in the abdomen, and the activity of the cardiovascular system may be disrupted.

Dysentery causes severe complications in the form of an infectious toxic shock, peritonitis, pneumonia, damage to the central nervous system, so if you have symptoms of this disease, you should not neglect medical help.

Other causes of bloating and diarrhea

Bloating, rumbling in the stomach and frequent diarrhea may be accompanied by many chronic diseases Gastrointestinal tract, such as:

pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas
chronic gastroduodenitis complicated by enteritis
enteritis - usually occurs without severe abdominal pain
colitis - cramps and acute pain in the lower abdomen before defecation, after bowel movement the condition returns to normal
gastric candidiasis

In such conditions, treatment of the underlying cause of the disease is required, since simply eliminating the symptoms can only worsen the situation and it will be difficult for the doctor to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.

Regardless of the reason that caused bloating, rumbling and diarrhea, such symptoms cannot be ignored, since diarrhea can become chronic, which will lead to impaired absorption of vitamins and microelements.

Signs of such a disorder include weight loss, muscle weakness, irritability, insomnia, constant feeling fatigue, anemia.

Treatment of diarrhea and bloating

Treatment of diarrhea and flatulence consists in eliminating the cause that caused these symptoms and will be different in each individual case.

But everyone should know the general principles of normalizing the condition of such ailments. This is first of all a strict diet.

Fried, fatty and spicy foods, smoked meats, marinades, sauces, milk, confectionery, chocolate, cocoa.

The patient's menu should include:

cereals (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal)
potatoes (especially baked)
lean boiled meat (chicken, rabbit, turkey, veal)
gray stale bread, crackers
biscuits
baked apples
berries (blueberries, viburnum, cranberries), preferably in the form of jelly or compote

If diarrhea is accompanied by abdominal cramps, you can relieve them with No-shpa or another antispasmodic; bloating and rumbling will be overcome by Espumisan or an infusion of dill seeds, fennel, dandelion root, mint.

Diarrhea will be stopped by Imodium, Loperamide. Folk remedies will also come to the rescue:

Rinse the chicken stomach, remove the film from it, dry it well, then make a powder out of it using a coffee grinder and take it with enough water until the diarrhea stops completely. Those who often suffer from diarrhea should always have this remedy at the ready.
Pour dry pomegranate peels with a glass of water and boil. Take 1-2 tbsp 20 minutes before meals. spoons.
Bird cherry berries can be consumed fresh or in the form of a decoction or infusion.
Slimy rice water.
Herbs or herbal teas: oak bark, sage, St. John's wort, white cinquefoil, chamomile.

Diarrhea in a child

Special attention should be paid if pain, bloating, and diarrhea are observed in a child.

Sad statistics show that hundreds of thousands of children die from diarrhea every year around the world, while accessible and inexpensive rehydration solutions could save more than one small life.

Diarrhea in a child is dangerous because he becomes dehydrated faster than an adult, and for children this is life-threatening.

To prevent dehydration, intoxication and to rule out an intestinal infection, you should show your child to a doctor.

If diarrhea continues for more than a day, bowel movements are very frequent, with an admixture of mucus or pieces of undigested food, the temperature has risen, the child complains of abdominal pain, becomes apathetic, lethargic, pale, you should immediately call an ambulance.

In cases of uncomplicated, one-time diarrhea, the same treatment as for an adult is suitable for a child. It is recommended to drink enough liquid.

This can be unsweetened tea, decoctions and infusions of chamomile, St. John's wort, compote of dried apples and pears, chokeberry, blueberries, alkaline mineral water, from which gas has been released.

In case of a more serious situation where there is suspicion of food poisoning or an intestinal infection, before the doctor arrives, you can give the child Regidron to prevent dehydration, Smecta or Atoxil to prevent severe intoxication.

Sometimes the situation develops in such a way that the child becomes ill, treatment needs to be started urgently, but there is no pharmacy nearby. In this case, a rehydration solution can be made at home.

For this purpose in one liter boiled water dissolve 1 teaspoon each of salt and soda and 4 teaspoons of sugar. Give to drink in small portions.

This article is intended for general information purposes only. In case of any reason that causes stomach rumbling, flatulence, pain and diarrhea, you should consult a doctor.

Diarrhea and loose stools in a child

Water deficiency dehydration (hypertensive) has the following symptoms:

strong thirst;
dry mucous membranes (lips are cracked, there is no saliva, eyes are sunken);
small amount of urine;
lack of tears;
dry, rough skin;
dyspnea.

This type of dehydration occurs with severe watery diarrhea in children with elevated temperature and moderate vomiting.

Salt deficiency dehydration (hypotonic) is characterized by:

lethargy, lethargy;
lack of thirst;
sunken fontanelle (in infants);
frequent, weak pulse;
low blood pressure;
cold, damp, marbled skin;
convulsions;
hiccups.

With catastrophic fluid loss, diarrhea stops, gases stop passing, and respiratory failure and cerebral edema. This type of dehydration is characterized by mild diarrhea accompanied by intense, repeated vomiting unrelated to food or liquid intake. The temperature remains within normal limits or drops slightly.

Isotonic dehydration combines moderate severe symptoms the two previous types and is characterized by an equivalent loss of water and electrolytes. This is the mildest type of dehydration.

Possible causes of diarrhea in children

1. Prolonged diarrhea, accompanied by abdominal pain during bowel movements and while eating, is a symptom of Crohn's disease. There is also loss of appetite, weight, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, and blood in the stool. Children suffering from this disease are developmentally delayed and their metabolic processes are disrupted.

2. Acute intestinal infections (salmonellosis, dysentery, rotavirus infection) are manifested by an increase in temperature. Vomiting appears, independent of food intake. In infections of viral etiology, the stool is watery. In case of bacterial infection – with admixtures of mucus and foam. The feces acquire a pungent odor and the color of the stool changes. Abdominal pain is cramping.

3. Liquid stool (sometimes with pieces of undigested food) without foreign impurities after ingestion medicines or a product unfamiliar to the body indicates an allergy.

4. Food poisoning is accompanied by nausea and vomiting after eating. The stool has an unpleasant, pungent odor and may contain blood. Abdominal pain is spasmodic and severe. Doesn't get better even after diarrhea and vomiting stop.

5. Abundant fatty feces (steatorrhea), containing pieces of undigested food, decreased appetite and pain in the navel indicate the presence of enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine).

7. Dysbacteriosis causes liquid foamy stool with a sour or putrid odor. Children lose their appetite and a white coating forms on the tongue. Can appear skin rashes and flatulence. Pain (colic) occurs between meals. Probiotics help cure dysbiosis.

8. In rare cases, diarrhea is caused by an attack of appendicitis or overheating of the body. An infant will not be able to explain what is bothering him. Therefore, it is necessary to treat severe diarrhea in young children under the supervision of a specialist.

9. Diarrhea without fever may be a consequence nervous disorders, decreased immunity, inflammatory bowel or stomach diseases, allergies, poisoning, dysbacteriosis or dietary disorders.

Therapy for infants

At the very beginning of life, the human body is able to digest only a certain type of food (milk). During this period, the intestines empty themselves up to 8 times a day. Liquid feces without foreign impurities and odor are considered normal in children who are on breastfeeding and does not require treatment. In some cases, the stool has a greenish color, which also should not be a cause for concern (up to 7 - 8 months). This is due to the presence of bilirubin in them. Feces may contain a small amount of mucus.

Parents should be alerted to diarrhea, accompanied by profuse vomiting and fever, changes in the color and smell of stool, foamy stool and impurities of blood or pus in it. In this case, you need to urgently see a pediatrician. He will assess his condition and prescribe adequate treatment or recommend hospitalization. Before the doctor arrives, it is important to prevent dehydration, which occurs very quickly at this age and can lead to fatal outcome. To do this, you need to give your baby water as often as possible.

It is better to treat dehydration with solutions of Regidron or Gastrolit. They are sold in powder form at pharmacies. They are dissolved in 1 liter of water and given in small portions (5 - 10 ml) every 10 minutes. If diarrhea is accompanied severe vomiting, the liquid is introduced dropwise from a pipette. If it is not possible to purchase a ready-made drug, you can prepare the solution yourself. To do this, just dissolve 2 tbsp in 1 liter of water. l sugar and 1 tsp each salt and soda.

Rehydrating drugs do not affect stool consistency, do not stop diarrhea, and do not treat pathologies that cause diarrhea. They only replenish the deficiency of microelements and fluid in the body. The only medicine that can be given to a baby with loose stools on its own is Smecta. It is completely safe, is not absorbed in the intestines and is completely eliminated from the body. Smecta is recommended for eliminating diarrhea at any age. It has an enveloping effect and does not harm beneficial microflora. Smecta absorbs pathogenic microorganisms and their metabolic products, toxins and allergens and removes them from the body.

Other remedies for diarrhea in infants should be used only on the recommendation of a pediatrician.

Treatment of children over 1 year of age

Fluid loss in children over one year of age is no less dangerous than in infants. Therefore, the procedure of dehydration of the body is the first priority measure at the first suspicion of dehydration. This is especially important if the diarrhea is watery and accompanied by vomiting and fever.

1. In the treatment of digestive disorders in children who have emerged from the infant period, you can use (in addition to Smecta) Enterodes, Enterosgel, Polysorb PM. Such preparations as Karbolen, Microsorb-P, Filtrum and Activated carbon, but they are less effective.

2. B complex therapy for loose stools, pro- and prebiotics must be included. They contain living microorganisms beneficial microflora and substances that stimulate their growth. Recommended for children: Bifiform Baby, Bifidumbacterin, Enterol, Eubicor, Hilak Forte.

3. Severe diarrhea that cannot be cured in 2 days disrupts digestion. A sign of this is a foul odor, flatulence, pieces of undigested food in the feces, and a coating on the tongue. In this case, enzymes are prescribed.

4. Before choosing such remedies, a stool analysis is done. This helps to find out the exact cause of the disorder, after which one of the following is prescribed enzyme preparations(Pancreatin, Mezim Forte, Pangrol 400).

5. Diarrhea is often expressed by paroxysmal pain in the abdominal area. Antispasmodics (No-shpa, Drotaverine, Spasmol, Plantex, Iberogast) can alleviate suffering.

6. Diarrhea may require treatment with local and systemic antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav, Ercefuril, Enterofuril). They should only be recommended by a doctor.

7. Based on the results of stool examination, if detected bacterial infection bacteriophages are prescribed. These are artificially created viruses that only infect pathogenic bacteria.

Drugs such as: Diarol, Lopedium, Imodium, Enterobene are contraindicated in the treatment of digestive disorders in children.

Features of the diet

If a child has diarrhea, you should go on a starvation diet for some time. This does not apply to infants. With milk or formula they receive necessary for the body liquid, so there is no need to stop feeding. Older children can be temporarily limited in food (from 10 to 24 hours depending on age). At this time, you need to give a lot of liquid (tea, mineral water without gases, chamomile decoction). Then they switch to rice water and white bread croutons. Feed in small portions, 6 – 7 times a day. Other products recommended for digestive disorders and age-appropriate are gradually introduced.

During diarrhea, children often lose their appetite and completely refuse food. There is no need to force feed; his body will tell him when food is needed. If he feels hungry, you can give:

boiled potatoes without oil;
boiled rice;
bananas;
stale white bread;
steamed chicken breast cutlets;
boiled fish (low-fat);
baked apples (without peel);
chicken broth soup;
dried fruit jelly.

Food should be prepared without adding spices or oil and served warm in small portions. You should not overfeed if you have loose stools. It is better to give food more often than to increase the portion.

After diarrhea stops, you need to gradually switch to a normal diet. It's better to start with fermented milk products(fresh cottage cheese, kefir, fermented baked milk). Then introduce the porridge with a small addition butter. You can fully return to your usual diet in 1–2 weeks.

Is it possible to drink kefir if you have diarrhea?

Experts are confident that kefir improves intestinal function and helps with diarrhea and constipation. The fermented milk product contains approximately 22 types of beneficial microorganisms and lactic acid bacteria used in the fermentation process and the creation of kefir.

"Live" product

Thanks to them, the microflora is restored and the activity of the gastrointestinal tract is normalized. If a person decides to purchase kefir to treat diarrhea, then he needs to check the expiration date of this product. “Live” kefir is more effective; it can be stored for no more than a week. It contains macro- and microelements, vitamins and proteins required by the body during illness.

This product, having a rich composition, is an excellent probiotic that helps improve the quality and composition of intestinal microflora, blocking the development pathogenic microorganisms, causing disease. The benefits of the drink include quenching thirst, strengthening the immune system and removing toxins from the body.

Kefir has become an ideal remedy for indigestion, since the lactobacilli and acidophilus bacilli present in it help restore damaged intestinal epithelium. This process can be accelerated if you use the product every evening for diarrhea.

The use of kefir is possible only after the acute symptoms diarrhea, which requires complete fasting. This happens on the second day from the time of appearance primary signs diseases. It is not recommended to drink the product from the first day for the following reasons:

kefir affects the acceleration of gastrointestinal motility, thereby aggravating the situation;
fermented milk drink irritates the inflamed mucous membrane.

Starting from the second day of diarrhea, when the number of bowel movements has decreased and the level of pain has decreased, those who have no prohibitions on the use of this product are allowed to take kefir. In such a situation, the product will normalize the processes of digestion and absorption. useful substances, helping to restore the intestinal microflora, which was disturbed by pathogenic bacteria.

Contraindications for use

For diarrhea, drink 2 tbsp of fermented milk drink. per day for 14 days. Available next row contraindications to its use:

children under 1 year of age (they have casein protein intolerance);
the presence of lactose intolerance (doctors prohibit the use of kefir in this case, it is replaced with probiotic products from the pharmacy);
the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with high level acidity (kefir is replaced with low-fat yogurt made at home);
for chronic indigestion (the laxative effect of the product can cause increased loose stools in chronic diarrhea).

People who do not belong to these groups can safely use the drink to treat diarrhea. It is worth remembering the myth about beneficial properties three-day kefir. The proliferation of bifidobacteria does not occur during long-term storage.

Every mother at least once in her life has encountered such a problem as diarrhea in a child. This condition is very unfavorable for the baby’s body. Due to severe loss of fluid, the child is deprived of many salts and microelements necessary for life. For babies who have diarrhea, a special diet is required.

Why does diarrhea occur in children?

The most common cause of diarrhea in children is viral diarrhea. Frequent bowel movements are not a disease. This is just one manifestation of many diseases. Often it can be a symptom of an imbalance of beneficial intestinal microflora - dysbiosis. This problem can also arise as a result of exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (for example, colitis or enteritis).

Acute intestinal infections, when developing, can also cause diarrhea in a child. Children who are 2-3 years old often get sick this way. They can become infected in a kindergarten or nursery. These infections are otherwise called “diseases of dirty hands.” If a child has poor hygiene, he can easily get an infection after playing outside. Many young children forget to wash their hands. Sitting down at the table, they introduce infection into the body and quickly get sick.

The cause of infection may be food poisoning. They can call him various bacteria and viruses. Chemical poisoning occurs when a child eats or drinks the wrong thing. Often, out of curiosity, kids can taste grandma's pills or mother's cream. This is very dangerous, in such cases, mandatory medical assistance is required!

Very often, for all the various reasons that led to diseases, babies may develop diarrhea. This is a protective response of the body. It tries to get rid of dangerous toxins that can cause harm.

Why is it dangerous?

Any loose stool carries a lot of fluid with it. After some time, the body does not have enough of it. This is how symptoms of dehydration appear. These include:

extreme thirst
dry lips;
sagging skin;
pronounced weakness.

A dehydrated child appears pale. He has practically no strength. He tries to rest more, wants to sleep. If the signs of dehydration are accompanied by symptoms of intoxication, the child begins to be capricious. He has a severe headache and his body temperature rises.

With diarrhea, children are lethargic and do not play with toys. Usually they just lie in the crib. Sometimes they may draw their legs in or lie on one side. More often, the child lies on the “healthy” side, since turning over to the “sick” side causes him severe pain.

Defecation in case of disorders mild degree carried out up to 3-4 times a day, in severe cases - more than 10-12 times. Such loss of fluid, along with electrolytes and vitamins, is a heavy blow for a small organism. If you don't start timely treatment, the baby may lose consciousness or fall into a coma.

What to feed the baby?

If diarrhea worsens, the mother should call the local pediatrician. The doctor will examine the child and determine what is causing the deterioration in his condition.

Diarrhea in infants is very danger sign. A sick baby must be carefully examined.

The ideal food for a baby is mother's milk. Under no circumstances should you give up breastfeeding. It forms the child’s passive immunity. Insufficient supply of nutrients has a bad effect on the growth and development of the baby. If you have diarrhea, your mother should also analyze her diet. It is quite possible that the day before she ate some food that provoked such a reaction in the baby.

If diarrhea occurs in a breastfed baby, it is worth reducing the volume of milk at a time. There is a second method. In this case, the number of feedings per day is reduced by 20%. Can you give your baby something to drink clean? boiled water. Cow's milk It is not worth replenishing the fluid deficiency in the baby’s body.

Food for children over 1 year old

A therapeutic diet for children aged 1 year or more should be compiled according to the following principles:

Daily menu divided into several meals (with the exception of harmful foods). You need to feed your baby at the same time, excluding skips.
Mandatory inclusion of various cereals in the diet. Porridges have excellent antidiarrheal properties. They are very nutritious, quickly fill you up, and leave you feeling full for a long time. Give preference not to whole grains, but to milled flakes. They are much easier to digest, providing the child’s body with energy. You can safely choose buckwheat, oatmeal and rice flakes. They should be cooked in water, without milk.
After 3-4 days you can expand the diet. Add pureed vegetable purees or heavily boiled and chopped vegetables. Can be an excellent side dish mashed potatoes or grated carrots. It is better to avoid beets for a while. It can activate intestinal motility, increasing diarrhea.
The menu must include protein products. For kids, you can cook meatballs or meatballs. They are best made steamed or in a slow cooker. Creamy or tomato sauces are prohibited. They can provoke increased diarrhea, as well as heartburn in the child. Choose meat products that are quickly digested children's body. It could be a turkey or a rabbit. Regular chicken is perfect.
Drinking regime is probably the most important point that must always be observed. Losing a huge amount of fluid, the baby’s body quickly becomes depleted. Replenish water balance needed constantly. Give your baby a drink every hour. This will significantly reduce the symptoms of dehydration.
Avoid all foods that may worsen diarrhea. Watch what your child eats carefully. Usually during this period children refuse to eat. They can be capricious and beg for “goodies.” You should not give in to provocations! Any error in therapeutic diet can significantly worsen the baby’s condition and hinder his recovery.

Products that are taboo on the menu

In the first hours after the onset of diarrhea, there is no need to give the child foods that activate intestinal function. This can increase loose stools and worsen the baby's condition. . Foods to avoid for diarrhea in children include:

Cabbage in any form (boiled, stewed). Sauerkraut also under the strictest prohibition.
Legumes. Being a source of vegetable protein, they strongly provoke gas formation in the intestines. The inflamed wall stretches, which greatly enhances pain syndrome. The child begins to cry. The abdomen is inflated, any touch to it causes pain.
Carbonated sweet drinks. The carbon dioxide they contain has a negative effect on the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. In contact with the delicate wall of the stomach, it greatly stretches and damages it.
Mushrooms. Usually mothers add them to soup. Children with diarrhea should absolutely not eat mushrooms! They have too much chitin. This substance is not absorbed and passes through the intestines. Mushrooms increase perilstatics, which significantly worsens the situation.
Crackers, chips, snacks. They contain a huge amount of artificial additives and spices.
Milk. Drinking undiluted milk provokes increased movement of food through the intestines. This product significantly enhances all fermentation reactions.
Fatty, smoked and fried foods. They are poorly absorbed by the body and cause a feeling of heaviness. After consuming such products, the processes of decay in the intestines intensify.
Tomatoes. They contain a large amount of acid. They can have a detrimental effect on the stomach and cause exacerbation of gastritis. This also increases diarrhea.

What drinks can be given to children to stop diarrhea?

During diarrhea, it is very important to ensure adequate fluid replacement. Infants should be fed chilled until room temperature boiled water.

For older children, different drinks can be used. Fluid deficiency is well compensated by:

Weak black tea. The tannins contained in the drink have an inhibitory effect, stopping diarrhea. This tea has a strengthening effect.
Rosehip decoction. It contains a significant amount of vitamin C. This drink compensates for some of the microelements removed from the body. It helps to quickly restore and strengthen the child’s immunity.
Chamomile tea. This is wonderful antiseptic for any diarrhea. This tea helps destroy pathogenic bacteria that cause diarrhea.
Dried fruits compote. They contain a large number of various microelements and vitamins: potassium, magnesium, ascorbic acid, silicon. These substances help stimulate the body's defenses, fight disease and replenish useful minerals.
Morse made from different berries. You can choose any options. Blueberry juice contains a huge amount of vitamin A, which helps cope with diarrhea. Blueberries have a fixing effect. This is a tasty and healthy drink.
Mineral healing water. If you are going to give it to your child, first release the gas from it. Use mineral water is medical procedure. Drinking it in bottles is strictly prohibited. Small children under 5 years of age are prescribed up to ¼ glass 3 times a day (before meals). Before choosing bottled mineral water, you should consult your doctor.

It is important to note that all ready-made packaged juices are not best choice with diarrhea. They contain additional chemical additives that can worsen diarrhea, as well as large amounts of sugar. The introduction of juices should begin 2-3 days after the increase in loose stools. Choose drinks that have astringent properties. It is better to give preference to pear or apple juice from green apples. They are hypoallergenic and do not have a strong activating effect on intestinal motility.

It is better to avoid coffee and cocoa during an exacerbation. These are too aggressive drinks for an irritated stomach. They are often prepared with milk. Such drinks can provoke the secretion of bile and only increase inflammation.

Re-evaluate the importance of diet and drinking regime not possible during treatment of diarrhea. You can restore your baby’s strength and normalize stool only with the help of proper nutrition. After stabilization of the condition, you should still undergo full examination(especially if you have had diarrhea before). Sometimes dangerous things can be hidden behind the mask of diarrhea. chronic diseases intestines.

You can learn tips on diet for diarrhea from the video below.

Crohn's disease, nonspecific ulcerative colitis, manifestations of side effects of certain medications.

Of course, depending on the cause of diarrhea, the severity of the baby’s condition, the presence or absence of vomiting, and the age of the child, treatment is prescribed individually for each small patient. But for any type of diarrhea important role in the treatment of nutrition for children with intestinal dysfunction.

The goal of dietary nutrition for diarrhea is to reduce the load on digestive tract and creating conditions for faster restoration of its function.

Principles of diet for diarrhea

To avoid dehydration, your child should drink more fluids.

There are general principles therapeutic nutrition children with diarrhea:

replenishment of fluids and salts lost in the body;
meals should be frequent and divided;
(mechanical and chemical);
nutrition should be appropriate for the baby’s age.

Restoring water-salt balance

Since diarrhea causes a significant loss of fluid and microelements by the body, these losses should first be replenished. If there is no vomiting, then, as a rule, the loss of fluid is replaced by drinking plenty of fluids.

Standardized solutions (Regidron, Gastrolit, Oralit, Humana, Electrolyte, etc.) are best suited for soldering babies. To prepare them, 1 sachet purchased at the pharmacy must be dissolved in 1 liter of warm boiled water.

The child should be given water in fractional portions of 5-15-30 ml every 10-20 minutes, depending on the age and severity of the baby’s condition. The single dose and the duration of the pause between drinks will be determined by the doctor.

In addition to these solutions, you can use for desoldering:

raisin decoction;
carrot broth;
rice water;
rosehip decoction;
chamomile decoction;
decoction of dried fruits;
unsweetened green tea;
blueberry decoction;
alkaline still mineral water.

Salt solutions for drinking can also be prepared at home. To do this, add half a teaspoon of salt to 1 liter of boiled warm water and baking soda and a tablespoon of sugar.

The following drinking solution is also possible: add 0.5 tsp to 1 liter of warm boiled water. salt, banana softened to the consistency of pulp, 2 tbsp. l. Sahara. If the child is not allergic to citrus fruits, then instead of a banana, you can add the juice of 2 grapefruits or oranges.

Nutrition for diarrhea in infants

From a starvation diet for young children, doctors in Lately refused. Fasting or a long water-tea break contributes to protein-calorie deficiency in a child, weight loss, and delayed recovery of the affected mucous membrane of the digestive tract.

If the child does not vomit, then he continues to be fed. When breastfeeding, it is recommended to increase the number of feedings, but reduce single dose breast milk. To do this, apply it to the baby's chest for 5-10 minutes (depending on the age of the child and the severity of the disease), but often.

The benefits of breast milk are undeniable: in addition to the balanced composition of nutrients, necessary for the child, it contains biologically active substances(lactoferrin, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A, interferon), which help the baby cope with the disease.

When artificial feeding, the tactics are the same: the number of feedings is increased and the portion of formula is reduced by 2 times. The doctor may prescribe feeding with a therapeutic adapted fermented milk mixture (“Nan fermented milk”, “Gallia Lactofidus”). In severe cases intestinal infections Hydrolyzate mixtures (Frisopep, Nutrilon Pepsi TSC and others) may be prescribed.

If the child has already received complementary feeding, then if diarrhea occurs, complementary feeding is canceled, and the baby is fed only breast milk or medicinal fermented milk formula. In agreement with the doctor, after a few days they gradually begin to introduce complementary foods that the child received before the disease.

Diet for children over one year old

From the first day of illness, the child is allowed low-fat fermented milk products, and from the third day - skim cheese.

In the first 2 days of illness, the frequency of feedings is increased by 1 or 2 meals, that is, the child must be fed 5 or 6 times a day, and the portions of meals are reduced. It should be remembered that you should not force feed your baby if the child refuses to eat.

In case of severe illness, 1 or 2 feedings are skipped, and then fractional feedings are started, but in half smaller portions. Doses are gradually increased over the course of a week to the usual volume.

Initially, the child is given slimy vegetable soups (with the addition of rice, buckwheat or oatmeal) and boiled porridge without oil (rice, oatmeal, buckwheat), cooked in water. If the baby is under 2 years old, then first, soups and cereals are rubbed through a sieve to make a puree soup. Jelly made from fresh berries(blueberries are especially useful), compotes.

From the first day, it will be useful to include fermented milk products (biokefir, lactonia, acidophilus, narine) in the diet of a sick child. They must be fresh, contain no additives and have a fat content of no more than 2.5%. On the second day, you can give white bread crackers and biscuits. On day 3, you can give your child banana puree and low-fat cottage cheese.

Baked apples will be very useful during illness: they contain substances that help restore the mucous membrane and normalize the microflora in the intestines. On day 3, you can give your child a grated raw apple. After 3 or 4 days from the start of treatment, you can include minced chicken, veal or turkey in your diet. You can steam cutlets, meatballs, meatballs from meat or lean fish; steam omelette.

From the child's diet you need exclude: fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, cream, fermented baked milk, milk, juices, legumes, mushrooms, rye bread and confectionery, baked goods, carbonated drinks.

Sugar is limited. Of course, you should not give your child pickled, smoked, or fried foods. It is not recommended to cook soups using strong broths during this period. To avoid irritating the mucous membrane, all meals should be given to the child warm, excluding cold and hot drinks.

After diarrhea stops, the diet should be followed from 5-6 days to 2-3 weeks, depending on the cause and severity of the disease. The timing of the diet during the recovery period should be clarified with your doctor. Whole milk is gradually introduced after 2-3 weeks, when the child is transferred to a regular diet.

Summary for parents

If a child develops diarrhea, it is necessary to consult a doctor to find out the cause of diarrhea and the prescription proper treatment. For any mechanism of diarrhea, the child needs to change the nature of his diet. The simple principles of changing a child’s diet outlined in this article will help achieve increased efficiency treatment and speed up the baby’s recovery.

Which doctor should I contact?

If your child has diarrhea, you should contact your pediatrician. If the diarrhea is severe, accompanied by vomiting, fever, and lethargy of the baby, you need to call “ Ambulance”, which will take him to the infectious diseases hospital. For chronic diarrhea caused by intestinal diseases, you need to be treated by a gastroenterologist.