Creative Homemaking . . . Dedicated to your homemaking needs
~   Recipe database, baking, leftovers, frugal cooking, dinner ideas, recipes for kids   ~
BUDGET PLANNER CLEANING HOME DECORATING COOKING GARDENING HOLIDAYS ORGANIZE FRUGAL LIVING WEDDINGS
Craft Supplies
Wooden Letters
COOKING AND RECIPES
Baking Recipes
Barbecue and Grill
Breakfast and Brunch
Frugal Cooking
Holiday Recipes
Kids' Recipes
Main Dishes
Seasonal Recipes
Wine Openers
Turkey Fryers
Home => Cooking and Recipes => Babies and Toddlers => Baby With Diarrhea
Related Articles: Freezing Homemade Baby Food | Baby's First Cereal

Foods for a Baby With Diarrhea
by Christine Albury

Description: What and what not to feed a baby who has diarrhea.

Once your doctor has discovered and dealt with the cause of your baby's diarrhea, there are certain foods you can offer that may help "bind" your baby as his delicate intestines recover - and some other foods that you should definitely avoid!

Remember - You should always discuss any episodes of diarrhea with your child's doctor, as diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration in young babies.

FOODS THAT CAN HELP STOP BABY'S DIARRHEA

  • Infant rice cereal
  • bananas
  • breast milk/formula
  • cooked carrots
  • dry toast
  • pasta
  • cooked, white potato
  • white grape juice
  • yogurt (bio yogurt in particular, which contains the "gut-friendly" bacteria Lactobacillus. Research has shown that Lactobacillus can be effective in stopping diarrhea. Some paediatricians may also recommend acidophilus supplements, which are available from most vitamin stores)
  • applesauce

FOODS TO AVOID WHEN BABY HAS DIARRHEA

  • Cow's milk-based formula - some doctors will suggest switching to soy formula for a couple of weeks, because your baby's intestines may have trouble digesting cow's milk following a nasty bout of diarrhea
  • dairy products, with the exception of yogurt (for the reasons given above)
  • cherry juice
  • apple juice (it may seem confusing, but applesauce firms your baby's stools whereas apple juice loosens them. This is because applesauce is made from the whole fruit and therefore contains the pectin and fibre that firm stools. Apple juice, on the other hand, contains a natural sugar - sorbitol - which is known to cause or aggravate diarrhea)
  • pear juice
  • peaches
  • apricots
  • pears
  • plums
  • peas
  • apricots
  • prunes

BREASTFEEDING

Don't stop breastfeeding if your baby has diarrhea - it actually helps hasten your baby's recovery. But consider avoiding things like coffee and cola, which may pass through your milk and make your baby's diarrhea worse!

A good rule to follow is to feed your baby little and often as he recovers from diarrhea. Babies' intestines heal relatively slowly, so it may take a while for his stools to firm up completely. If you are at all concerned about persistent diarrhea in your baby, then you should discuss your concerns with your child's doctor.

Christine Albury is the owner/editor of Homemade Baby Food Recipes, your complete guide to solid feeding during baby's first year, which includes tips for dealing with common feeding problems and baby food allergies.




Comment on this article or submit your tip to CreativeHomemaking.com.
Click here for a printer friendly version of this page.
Receive new article links via the Web, SMS, or instant messages via Twitter!
Recommend this article to a friend!
Search our article archives.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sponsor: FamilyStickers.com offers one of the largest selections of family stickers, family car decals, and stick family stickers. These easy to apply vinyl window family car stickers are available in several themes and sizes or customized to your request.
Google
 






Reprint Articles | Privacy Policy | Submit Article | Advertise | Affiliate Program | Contact Us
Copyright 1998 - 2010, Creative Homemaking, LLC. Clipart from CountryClipArt.com.