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How to treat diarrhea in infants?

Roy Nattiv, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist
Dr. Roy Nattiv is a Board-Certified Pediatric Gastroenterologist in Los Angeles, California. With over 20 years of experience he specializes in a broad range of pediatric gastrointestinal and nutritional illnesses such as constipation, diarrhea, reflux, food allergies, poor weight gain, SIBO, IBD, and IBS. He completed his pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and his fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). While at UCSF, he was a California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) fellowship trainee and was awarded the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Fellow to Faculty Award in Pediatric IBD Research. Dr. Nattiv received his undergrad degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his medical degree (MD) from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Roy Nattiv, MD

Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Answer

To treat diarrhea in infants, it is crucial to ensure proper hydration. Confirm that infants with suspected loose stools or diarrhea are tolerating their feeds, whether through breastfeeding or formula and observe for an adequate number of wet diapers daily. Additionally, assess the baby's interaction, alertness, playfulness, and smiles as indicators of hydration status. If stools are excessively voluminous, consulting a pediatrician is advised. Addressing the causes of diarrhea, recognize that frequent stools in infants are common due to components in breast milk with a mild laxative effect. Diarrhea may also signal an allergy or intolerance to food proteins from breastfeeding or formula, often necessitating a hypoallergenic formula. Infections should be ruled out before considering allergies, with stool tests available, such as PCR, to screen for multiple infections in one specimen. Excessive juice or sugar intake can contribute to diarrhea, typically observed in toddlers (toddler's diarrhea). Parents should consult a pediatrician if they are concerned about dehydration. If diarrhea persists, consider giving electrolyte fluids like Pedialyte and promptly contacting the pediatrician for guidance.

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My first time babysitting is on Saturday and I have to babysit a 1, 4 and an 8 year old. How do I tell the other kids that I am going to change the baby's diaper?

Community Answer

Kids aged 4 and 8 are starting to recognize the need that the baby needs to be diapered, and if given the chance can help pitch in with simple tasks to help complete the change. Although there's really no need to keep it secret, you may want to walk over and take care of the change without mentioning it to them. If the 4 and 8 year old kids are asleep, don't mind waking them up, however, if they are awake, you can hype them up a little to have them help you. Such things as bringing a clean diaper to you or simple things that are safe to do, are okay to let the kids know.

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Question

What if the baby poops in public?

Community Answer

Find a public restroom if you can, or change the baby in the car.

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What if I've never changed a diaper before?

Community Answer

It is very easy, you can practice on dolls, watch YouTube videos, take a class, or just ask someone who knows how to do it to show you.

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If I'm babysitting twins, what should I do if they both need to be changed at once?

Community Answer

You can just change them one at a time. You can place the baby you aren't changing in their crib or playpen until it's their turn.

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