Loose motions are extremely common in children, especially during seasonal viral infections. Most cases are self-limiting and improve within a few days with proper hydration.
Common mistakes parents make:
- Stopping all food intake
- Avoiding milk unnecessarily
- Giving antibiotics without advice
- Not giving enough ORS
- Focusing only on stopping stools instead of preventing dehydration
What actually helps:
- ORS after every loose stool
- Zinc supplementation as advised
- Continued feeding and breastfeeding
- Light home diet like khichdi, rice, banana, curd, roti
Immediate medical consultation is needed if:
- Blood appears in stool
- Child is unable to drink
- Persistent vomiting occurs
- Child becomes lethargic
- High fever develops
- Urine output decreases
Hydration is the most important treatment in diarrhea.