What should be the diet for diarrhea in a child?

Every mother at least once in her life faced such a problem as the occurrence of diarrhea in a child. This condition is very unfavorable for the body of the baby. Due to the strong loss of fluid, the child loses so many essential for life salts and trace elements. For babies who have diarrhea, a special diet is required.

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

Acute intestinal infections during their development can also cause diarrhea in a child. Often so sick children, whose age - 2-3 years. They can become infected in kindergarten or in a manger. In a different way, these infections are called “dirty hand diseases”. If a child has poor hygiene, he can easily pick up the infection after playing outside. Many little kids forget to wash their hands. Sitting at the table, they bring the infection into the body and quickly fall ill.

Very often, for all the diverse causes that led to diseases, babies can have diarrhea. This is a protective response of the body. He is trying to get rid of dangerous toxins that can cause harm.

Any loose stool carries with it a lot of liquid. After some time, the body is not enough. So symptoms of dehydration appear. These include:

• strong thirst
• dry lips;
• flabbiness of the skin;
• severe weakness.

Dehydrated baby looks pale. He has almost no strength. He tries to rest more, wants to sleep. If symptoms of intoxication join signs of dehydration, the child begins to act up. His head hurts badly, his body temperature rises.

With diarrhea, children are lethargic, do not bother with toys. Usually they just lie in the crib. Sometimes they can pull legs or lie on one side. More often than not, the child lies on the “healthy” side, since turning over to the “sick” side gives him severe pain.

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

When exacerbation of diarrhea, the mother should call the district pediatrician. The doctor will examine the child and determine what causes the deterioration of his condition.

Diarrhea often occurs after the introduction of complementary foods. This may indicate intolerance to specific products. So celiac disease can manifest itself: individual gluten intolerance.It is part of many cereals and flour products.

Ideal food for babies - mother's milk. In no case should not refuse breastfeeding. It forms the passive immunity of the child. Insufficient intake of nutrients is bad for the growth and development of the baby. In case of diarrhea, mother should also analyze her diet. It is 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 a portion of milk at a time. There is a second method. In this case, the number of feedings per day reduced by 20%. You can feed the child with clean boiled water. Cow's milk to fill the lack of fluid in the body of the baby is not worth it.

Medical diet for babies whose age is 1 year or more should be based on the following principles:

• Divided into several meals daily menu (with the exception of harmful products). It is necessary to feed the child at the same time, except for passes.
• Mandatory inclusion in the diet of various cereals. Kashi have excellent protivoponyosnymi properties. They are very nutritious, quickly saturate, leave a feeling of satiety for a long time. Prefer not whole grains, and milled cereal. They are much easier to digest, providing the child's body with energy. You can safely choose buckwheat, oatmeal and rice cereal. They should be boiled in water without milk.
• After 3-4 days you can expand the diet. Add vegetable grated mashed potatoes or strongly boiled and chopped vegetables. Mashed potatoes or mashed carrots can be an excellent garnish. It is better to refuse beet for some time. It is able to activate intestinal motility, increasing diarrhea.
• The menu must be protein products. For kids, you can cook meatballs or meatballs. They are best done on a pair or in a slow cooker. Creamy or tomato sauces are prohibited. They can cause increased diarrhea, as well as heartburn in a child. Choose meat products that are quickly digested in the children's body. It can be a turkey, as well as a rabbit. Perfect ordinary chicken.
• Drinking regimen is probably the most important point to keep always. Losing a huge amount of fluid, the baby's body is quickly depleted. It is necessary to fill the water balance constantly. Let the baby drink every hour. This will significantly reduce the symptoms of dehydration.
• Exclude all foods that may increase diarrhea. Carefully watch what the child eats. Usually during this period, children refuse to eat. They can be capricious, begging for "snacks". Do not give in to provocations! Any error in the medical diet can significantly worsen the condition of the baby and hinder his recovery.

In the first hours of the onset of diarrhea, it is not necessary to give the child products that activate the bowels. This can increase loose stools and aggravate the baby’s condition.. Products that should be avoided in children with diarrhea include:

• Cabbage in any form (boiled, stewed). Sauerkraut is also under strict prohibition.
• Legumes Being a source of vegetable protein, they strongly provoke gas formation in the intestine. The inflamed wall is stretched, which greatly increases the pain syndrome. The baby starts crying. The stomach is inflated, any touch to it causes pain.
• Carbonated sweet drinks. Carbon dioxide contained in them adversely affects the walls of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. In contact with the delicate wall of the stomach, it strongly stretches and damages it.
• Mushrooms Usually moms add them to the soup. Children with diarrhea mushrooms categorically can not eat! They have too much chitin.This substance is not absorbed and passes through the intestines. Mushrooms enhance perilstatics, which significantly worsens the situation.
• Rusks, chips, snacks. They contain a huge amount of artificial additives and spices.
• Milk. The use of undiluted milk provokes an increased movement of food through the intestines. This product greatly enhances all fermentation reactions.
• Fatty, smoked and fried dishes. They are poorly absorbed by the body, cause a feeling of heaviness. After consuming such products in the intestine, the processes of decay intensify.
• Tomatoes. They contain large amounts of acid. They can adversely affect the stomach, cause aggravation of gastritis. It also contributes to increased diarrhea.

For older children, you can use different drinks. Fluid deficiency well fill:

• Low black tea. Tannins contained in the drink, have a inhibitory effect, stopping diarrhea. This tea has a fixing effect.
• Decoction of wild rose. It contains a significant amount of vitamin C. This drink compensates for some of the trace elements excreted from the body. It helps to quickly restore and strengthen the immunity of the child.
• Chamomile tea. This is an excellent antiseptic for any diarrhea. This tea helps to destroy the bacteria that cause diarrhea.
• Dried fruits compote. They contain a large amount of various microelements and vitamins: potassium, magnesium, ascorbic acid, silicon. These substances help to stimulate the body's defenses, fight disease, and replenish beneficial minerals.
• Fruit drink from different berries. You can choose any options. Blueberry mors contains a huge amount of vitamin A, it helps to cope with diarrhea. Blueberry has a fixing effect. This is a delicious and healthy drink.
• Mineral healing water. If you are going to give it to your child, release the gas from it. The use of mineral water is a medical procedure. Drinking it in bottles is strictly prohibited. Small children up to 5 years old are given up to cup 3 times a day (before meals). Before choosing bottled mineral water should consult with your doctor.

From coffee and cocoa in the period of aggravation is better to give up. It is too aggressive for irritated stomach drinks. Often they are cooked with milk. Such drinks can provoke the secretion of bile and only increase inflammation.

Dietary diarrhea diet tips can be found in the video below.

Read more about intestinal infections You can find out by watching the transfer of Dr. Komarovsky.