Diarrhoea in babies and children

Diarrhoea is when your baby or young child has an increase in the amount of stool (poo) that they pass. Their poo is also more watery than normal.

Diarrhoea in children is when they pass 3 or more loose or liquid stools (poos) per day.

Diarrhoea can be caused by an infection of your child's digestive system. This is called gastroenteritis (a stomach bug or gastro).

Diarrhoea is usually caused by a virus, such as rotavirus. But it can also be caused by:

• bacteria
• parasites
• a food intolerance
• a food allergy

Your doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and may examine them. They may organise for your child to have:

• blood tests
• urine tests
• stool (poo) tests

If your baby is under 6 months old and has diarrhoea, they need to be checked by a doctor.

You should take your child to the doctor if:

• there is lots of watery diarrhoea
• the amount of diarrhoea is increasing
• you can see blood in the diarrhoea
• they have a high fever
• they are difficult to wake
• they are refusing extra fluids

Your child should also see a doctor if:

• they vomit frequently and can't keep anything down
• the vomit is brown or green
• they have bad stomach pain

Babies under 6 months of age, with diarrhoea, should be checked by a doctor. This is because they are more likely to become dehydrated.

Young children with diarrhoea should be given fluids. This will not cure the diarrhoea, but it will prevent dehydration.

Self-care at home

Try to make sure your young child drinks enough. This helps to replace fluids lost due to diarrhoea. Drinking fluid stops your baby from becoming dehydrated.

Treatment for babies under 6 months of age

Babies under 6 months old who have diarrhoea should always be seen by a doctor.

Treatment for babies over 6 months of age

Treatment for babies aged over 6 months depends on how they usually feed.

Breastfed babies should continue to be breastfed but should be fed more often. An oral rehydration solution or water may be offered in addition to breastfeeds.

Formula-fed babies may need to have both an oral rehydration solution and their formula at normal strength.

Give your baby small amounts of fluids often. They can usually tolerate this better than a lot of fluids at once.

Oral rehydration fluids

Oral rehydration fluids are specially made to replace fluids and salts in the body. There are different types of oral rehydration fluids:

• powder or concentrated liquid that you mix with water
• tablets that you dissolve in water
• ice-blocks
• pre-made drinks

They also come in lots of different flavours. You can buy oral rehydration fluids at your local supermarket or pharmacy.

Medicines for diarrhoea in babies and children

Most young children do not need to take medicine for diarrhoea. In fact, many medicines that stop diarrhoea can be harmful for babies and children.

Diarrhoea is often caused by viruses. So, your doctor will probably not give your child antibiotics. This is because viruses do not respond to antibiotics.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how best to treat your child for diarrhoea.

Other treatment options

If your young child becomes very dehydrated, they may need to be given fluids in hospital through:

• a nasogastric tube (a tube from their nose into their stomach)
• an intravenous drip (IV) directly into a vein

Dehydration

Dehydration is the most common complication of diarrhoea in young children. Dehydration is more likely in children under 12 months of age and those with weak immune systems. You will know your baby is dehydrated if they:

• have dry lips and mouth
• have dark-coloured urine (wee)
• have fewer wet nappies
• have cold hands and feet
• are very sleepy

Nappy rash

You can help prevent nappy rash by:

• changing your baby's nappy more often
• using a zinc-based cream on their bottom

This will stop the diarrhoea from burning your baby's skin.

You can often prevent diarrhoea by maintaining good standards of hygiene.

• Wash your hands after using the toilet, changing nappies and before preparing bottles or food.
• Check your child always washes their hands after using the toilet and before eating.
• Clean and sterilise baby bottles carefully.

You should also make sure that you store food properly.

• Meat products should be cooked well.
• Raw meat and chicken should be stored in a covered container in the bottom of the fridge. This will stop the juices from the meat contaminating other food.

Your child shouldn't return to childcare or school until at least 24 hours after their last episode of diarrhoea.

Australia's National Immunisation Program Schedule recommends that your baby is vaccinated against rotavirus infection. Your baby can get this vaccination at the ages of 2 and 4 months.

Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on how to treat diarrhoea in your baby or young child.

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has fact sheets on gastroenteritis in English and languages other than English.