Need to Stop My Son's Diarrhea

Updated on August 10, 2010
B.K. asks from Chicago, IL
13 answers

My 3 year old son has had diarrhea for 4 days. I took him to the Ped she did not prescribe anything for it just said wait up to 2 weeks and give him liquids (he has no fever). She did give him prescription cream for his sore bum. I tried the BRAT diet but he won't eat rice, applesauce or banana, just some toast. Honestly he doesn't want to eat anything. What can I try giving him that'll possibly help him?

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So What Happened?

Well after 5 days of that, it may be finally over, but not yet. I quickly shower him after each time he poops and let him be without a diaper for a while. Every time he needs to poop he tells me to put his diaper on. I try to sit him on the potty (doesn't always work). I used Nystatin (yeast infection) ointment, triple paste and A+D ointment, I just kept switching up. Yesterday I finally resorted to giving him a half dose of Children's Immodium. The Ped did not recommend it she suggested it work itself out of his system for up to 2 weeks. But he was so sore I couldn't help it. Also he's eating only toast and yogurt with probiotics. I'm trying to get some rice with appesauce into him.

Featured Answers

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

I have a son that when he gets diarrhea he has a real hard time getting firm stools again. So I treated him even when he was 3 with liquid children Imodium. Most doctor's do not like to treat it and want to like things clear up on it's on but my son's would never clear up on it's own so I took matters in my own hands. I gave him half the dose for a 6 year old. Mind you the first dose is higher than the ones that follow. It helps him. I usually don't have to give more than one or two doses and it's gone.
C.

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M.F.

answers from Phoenix on

Try yogurt, because the good bacterias in the yogurt will help balance out his digestive tract. Sometimes a bug will wipe out all the good bacteria in our digestive tracts, especially with kids, and it takes a while for things to get back to normal. The good bacteria in the live cultures in yogurt can help, as do probiotics like acidophilus capsules. The acidophilus capsules can be purchased almost anywhere in the vitamin aisle, but look for the kind that are a gelatin capsule with powder inside, so you can open it up and sprinkle it into/onto any food or drinks your child has. Things will get normal again quickly. Good luck!

3 moms found this helpful
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R.S.

answers from San Antonio on

Yogurt..I was given the BRATY..diet by my pediatrician. Push fluids and make sure he does not get dehydrated.

Do crackers (like Saltine) count as "toast"? Cause I give those to my kids when they have tummy issues.

Apple slices, I cut them really really thin like a potato chip and my kids munch through them like crazy.

If it is viral there is nothing they can give them. Hang in there mom, my own daughter had a bout of diarrhea last night and it is so awful!! HUGS!!

2 moms found this helpful
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J.R.

answers from Miami on

Hi B.,
So sorry your son is going through this, and you. Some thoughts to consider:

1. Chicken soup broth cooled in a sippy cup.
2. Chicken soup (chicken, rice, onion, celery, pumpkin, parsley, potato, zuccini, carrot). given him some pieces of each on a plate (rotate options)
3. rice crackers
4. pretzels
5. frozen banana
6. rice cereal heated (baby cereal)
7. hot pretzel
8. mild pancake
9. toast with a little jam or brown sugar or even cinnamon

Hope this helps and that all is well real soon.
Jilly

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P.O.

answers from Harrisburg on

Have you tried banana in the form of a smoothie. It doesn't matter how it goes down. I would try some oatmeal and banana.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.P.

answers from Dallas on

Hello B.,

you can also give him probiotics to help balance his gut flora.
keep him hydrated. Good luck! ~C.~

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J.E.

answers from Boston on

We just recently had the same issue w/ our 3 1/2 year old daughter. We had to get a stool sample and they called today stating that she had yeast in her stools and recommended we give her a yogurt a day and if that doesn't help then we need to get her to a GI specialist.
I had also been looking into other causes for diarrhea and we found that a lot of juice drinking can cause chronic diarrhea as well. If your son, like my daughter, is a big juice drinker, this may be the cause. We've switched up her juice variety and we thought it was helping but the diarrhea returned full force which the yeast now explains it. Good luck.

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J.W.

answers from Chicago on

Every time my son was prescribed an antibiotic (up until he was potty-trained) he would get terrible diarrhea to the point we needed prescription diaper rash cream for his chapped butt. The only thing that ever cleared up the diarrhea was a probiotic that we bought over the counter at Walgreens. It's called Florastor for kids. You have to ask the pharmacist for it, and it can be expensive, but I think it's totally worth it. I'm sure you could get it at CVS too. Good luck!

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

our doctor said we could substitute yogurt for the rice, if that helps.

1 mom found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

When my kids have had diarrhea or vomitting the first thing the doctor tells us is stop ALL milk and solids. Then for at least 24 hours give liquids (gatorades, kool-aid, flat soda, juice, pedialyte, icees, ice pops, anything but milk..watch for too much sugar though). Then progress each day adding the following..fruit, vegetables, meats, regular diet except cereals, cereals but no milk for a whole week. I honestly let them have some crackers or light things a bit early if they are not still vomitting.

If you are already doing the liquid only and he's had diarrhea for four days, I would give him some Children's Immodium. I have used it for my daughter a time or two.

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S.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Have you tried the pedialyte frozen pops? Those taste better, from what I hear, than the pedialyte liquid. Plus, most kids love having popsicles! I would be most concerned about him staying hydrated. His diarrhea will stop at some point, but it may take a couple of days. There is a yucky tummy virus going around and I've heard that the symptoms can last for up to a week. Hope he's better soon. If he'll eat toast, then just let him eat the toast for now. What about crackers? What about a little bit of peanut butter on toast? Or butter?

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T.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

You can use a homeopathic remedy called Diarrex. Also, charcoal really helps. You also get that at a health food store. Only, it might be more difficult to get it down a 3 year old as we usually buy it in caplet form. You could open it up and put it in something, but this increases the risk of a huge mess (it is black powder). Probiotics are a good choice also. If you use yogurt, don't buy the sugary stuff you see in grocery stores. You need real yogurt (hfs). Sorry you are going through this! Yuck and owie.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Lincoln on

If your son is teething, it could be from that but not sure how old your son is. I would keep giving him toast or even a bagel, then some yogurt (yobaby) and if he's at least 1, put a little raw honey on a spoon. Continue the liquids, especially coconut water (find it at health food store). It's nature's gatorade. I probably would be a bit nervous waiting two weeks, so if nothing helps, trust your instincts and take him in.

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