This is simply achieved by eating a healthy balanced diet that includes some fruit and vegetables. So, if your child has a low-fibre diet, it may help to increase the fibre in the diet to normal levels. Fibre is present in many foods, in particular in fruit, wholemeal bread and vegetables.įibre has an action a bit like blotting paper and absorbs water in the bowel. It stays in the gut and is passed in the stools (faeces). Fibre (roughage) is the part of plant food that is not digested. Some children seem to obtain most of their daily calories from juice and don't eat very much solid food.Ĭhanging the fibre content of the diet may be helpful, as very low- or high-fibre intakes may make symptoms worse in some children. Therefore, the child tends to eat less fat and fibre at normal mealtimes. This can reduce the appetite for normal meals.
The sugar in juice and squash contains a lot of calories.Cloudy juices that contain some fibre are not as bad. Clear apple juice seems to be the worst, as it contains a lot of certain sugars. Here they may act to keep water in the bowel and cause watery stools. Some types of sugar are not digested or absorbed and so get to the large bowel (colon). Fruit juices contain various sugars (carbohydrates).Too much juice or squash is not good for the following reasons: And then, aim to increase the dilution gradually over time. In this case, if you do give your child squash or juice, make sure that it is very well diluted. However, some children have become used to squash or juice on a regular basis and may become upset if they are suddenly denied their usual drink. It is best to give water to children for most drinks and keep fruit juice as a treat. Some children only drink fruit juice to quench their thirst. See the separate leaflet called Acute Diarrhoea in Children for more information about other causes of childhood diarrhoea.ĭo not give children too much fruit juice or squash. Do not assume your child's symptoms are due to toddler's diarrhoea without a diagnosis from the doctor. If your child develops diarrhoea for the first time and it persists for more than a few days, or they seem unwell or have other symptoms, it is important to see a doctor. Symptoms usually go, with or without treatment, by the age of 5-6 years. No further tests are usually needed if the child is otherwise well. An examination by a doctor doesn't reveal anything abnormal.
Some affected children develop constipation which alternates with diarrhoea.Ī child with just toddler's diarrhoea is otherwise well, grows normally, plays normally and is usually not bothered about the diarrhoea. Mild tummy (abdominal) pain sometimes occurs but is unusual. You can often see bits of vegetable food in the stools (such as bits of carrot, sweetcorn, etc). The stools are often more smelly and pale than usual. Affected children develop three or more watery loose stools (bowel motions) per day. Toddler's diarrhoea is also known as chronic nonspecific diarrhoea. What are the symptoms of toddler's diarrhoea?