Toddler diarrhoea...?

[BalloonSlayer]

DS2 (2.5) had a bad cold (think it was flu really) before Christmas which ended with lots of very loose nappies, as I think often happens when the virus works its way through the body. He never really went back to normal poos (I think he did for one day), which was frustrating as I have been waiting to start potty training.

For the last week or so the bowel movements have been getting more and more watery, with bits in. He is eating well and perfectly well and happy. All these symptoms, according to the book, point to Toddler Diarrhoea. The book says to do nothing and it will clear up by itself.

However, three things are bothering me:

• he is getting nappy rash, I know this is normal with a tummy upsetm but it is starting to distress him and make me want to "cure" it rather than letting it run its course.

• he is doing dirty nappies in the night and during lunchtime nap, which he doesn't usually. They leak and I have had to change him, wash everything. I have never had to do this for him ever.

• the dirty nappies now seem to smell more like vomit than poo

Any ideas or advice?

He will only drink weakly diluted baby juice and he is drinking a LOT of it at the moment, which I suspect is the cause. He also is still BF twice a day.

[elizabethsmum]

Hi- we have been battling long term toddler diarrhoea for 2 years (DD nearly 4yrs old now). It tends to go through bad phases with us when DD has been unwell or has a cold etc. The golden rules that IMHO work for us are avoiding too much fruit/fruit juice (DD's poor system has very little tolerance for either- apple juice/apples being the absolute worst culprits! Many tomato based sauces are also a no no with us. think it also has something to do with sugars also. You also have to make sure that they are taking in enough fats in the diet (I think we inadvertently made the problem worse by avoiding dairy for a while).

General rule as far as I am aware- TMI alert! is that if poo is of a loose 'porridgy' type consistency with undigested pieces of food in. Child is otherwise well and thriving, then it is most likely toddler diarrhoea.

We had trouble with absolutely awful nappy rash due to acidic nature of DD's poos and were advised by paediatrician that the only cure was to potty train- which did cure nappy rash but has not been an easy option for obvious reasons!

HTH and feel free to ask me if can help any further

[BalloonSlayer]

Sorry to take so long to say thank you, elizabethsmum.

Now I have read your post I think it is the acidic stuff that is probably causing the problem.

Trouble is the only fruit/veg he eats is apple, and the only drink apple & blackcurrant baby juice (we dilute it half-and-half but it is supposed to be ready-to-drink).

DS1 wanted pizza last night (has to be home made due to his dairy allergy) so DS2 had some. Terrible nappy rash today .

Balls. DS1's diet is so restricted anyway, and now we are going to have to say no more pizza because of DS2. DS1 used to react badly to tomatoes too at this age, but not any more, thank God.

Am Fed up as DS2's diet has not changed.

Am thinking of asking DH to lie and pretend to get athletes foot to get some Daktacort - fab nappy rash cure - which I know the GP would prescribe if I asked but don't want to wait to get appointment.

[elizabethsmum]

Hi Balloonslayer. Am not going to be that much help but I honestly do feel your pain
Sometimes I feel so fed up at restricting DD's diet when we are going through really bad phases with it- as she is getting older she does seem to have longer periods where she is much better with it but hate to tempt fate....
Trying to think what nappy cerams worked best for us- metanium didn't work for us at all but of the non presription variety, bepanthan was by far the best. Bit of an old wives tail but wished up egg white also helped as did raw silk nappy liners (bought off ebay I think) doused in cold camamile tea- can use these to line either disposable or reusable nappies. The obvious of keeping nappy off etc is all very well but obviously not always practical!!
I did and still do reached the end of my tether with the whole thing many times as part of the battle is getting to the ahem 'bottom' of the problem whilst also trying to keep on top of the constant sore bottoms!

Sorry to be of little use apart from to sympathise! Have only ever found one really good and sensible link to toddler diarrhoea- will try and find it now.

[elizabethsmum]

nappy creams and tale not 'tail' FGS - the Little mermaid features heavily in our lives at the moment!

[elizabethsmum]

www.patient.co.uk/health/Toddler's-Diarrhoea.htm