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Children's health

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Original poster

18 month old with diarrhoea - when does it become a concern?

14 replies

plonker · 24/01/2009 20:00

My 18 month old dd3 has diarrhoea. She has been doing 3 or 4 dirty, liquidy (sorry, TMI) nappies every day for the last two days. She is well in herself and is eating and drinking normally.

She hasn't ever had proper 'solid' stools. She was excl breastfed until she was 6 mo and then self weaned at about 16 mo - her stools were always v v runny, but 'normal' for her. She has had the occasional hard poo since she weaned, but not very often ...they're more often that not fairly runny.

This is different though. These are v liquidy and are giving her a sore bottom

When does it become a problem and when do I need to seek medical advice?

Oh, and can anyone recommend a good nappy cream

TIA

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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whomovedmychocolate · 24/01/2009 20:05

That sounds about normal - it's called explosive diarrhea btw. She will get over it. If you withdraw food for at least twelve hours (give her fluids) it'll give the bowel some time to recover (just delay her breakfast if you can - don't give her juice though). Sudocrem is good but if you have nothing in the house, whip and egg white and paint it on and let it dry (seriously) it's very fast acting and gentle on the skin.

Original poster

plonker · 24/01/2009 20:10

Egg white? Really? Will try that, thanks

Eeek withdrawing food is easier said than done, my dd is a little gannit! lol. She only drinks water, no juice, so that won't be a problem.
Will delay breakfast and see how she goes.

How long would you say it is likely to last? ...and how long before I would need to see a gp?

Also, is it normal for her to still have runny poos even though her last bf was about 2 months ago? The reason I ask this is when I have ever mentioned her runny poos to the gp before, they have attributed it to bf-ing ...

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 24/01/2009 20:14

There is something called 'toddler diarrhea' which affects some toddlers and they do have a tendency towards extreme poopiness - it's not to do with diet in these cases.

I would say, if it's lasted two weeks see a GP, gastric infections can take ten full days to clear. Look out for green mucousy poo - but if it's just watery then that's just a result of bowel convulsions (sounds nasty but quite normal - the body just tries to get rid of the bad stuff).

IF she's happily eating and drinking, I'd just ride it out. It's unpleasant for you but once you get the nappy rash out the way, if she's not bothered, just let her carry on, less hassle than trying to starve a toddler who will probably start on the catfood (I have one of those ).

Original poster

plonker · 24/01/2009 20:17

Ahhh thanks whomoved, thats really helpful

Will let her ride it out and see how she goes.

Its a relief to hear that some toddlers have a tendancy towards runny poos too ...thank you!

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 24/01/2009 20:28

BTW if it does turn out to be a long term problem the treatment is to increase the level of fat and fibre in the diet and remove sources of fructose (ie no fruit juices etc.)

whomovedmychocolate · 24/01/2009 20:28

and it'll be over by the time she's four at the latest

Original poster

plonker · 24/01/2009 20:32

Oh dear. Are there any other sources of fructose other than fruit juices, because she doesn't have any fruit juices?

She has lots of fruit, but she loves her fruit and I don't want to cut back on that. Any ideas on how to get more fibre into her diet? I'm pretty sure that she gets enough fat (she is on the 98th centile for weight) and I don't really want to increase that!

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 24/01/2009 20:39

Dried fruit is high fructose. Eating fat doesn't necessarily make you fat btw. Perhaps it's just a bug in which case you don't have to worry.

Actually stewed apples are really good for binding the poo if they are producing the squits - you could try that.

Fibre - vegetables and fruits are good.

Original poster

plonker · 24/01/2009 21:23

She eats copious amounts of fresh fruit and veg!

Stewed apples sounds good

Thanks for your help

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 26/01/2009 14:51

How's she doing now plonks?

Original poster

plonker · 26/01/2009 22:11

Not quite as squity

Still loose though

Thanks for asking

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 27/01/2009 11:21

Swop for my six month old who has just started solids and its producing the most vicious smelling toffee like poos in existence?

Mamazon · 27/01/2009 11:24

give her lots of flat cola.

sounds vile but it works. i was first told to do this by a very old retired Gp. thought he was mad so mentioned it to my own Gp who said yes, many people swear by it.

after about a week of wet nappies i tried it and it worked. within 12 hours he was fine!
i have used it every time since and its always worked.

laraeo · 30/01/2009 09:55

My 11 month old DS has also been battling diarrhea since Monday. We went to the GP yesterday and he told me to withhold solids for about 12 hours. He also said to give him dioralyte (sp) which I've tried to do but with little success, instead he's had lots of extra bf's. Any reccomendations for a solid food to start him with this afternoon? I can't do stewed apples (no apples and I've got a nasty cold so I'm not leaving the house today). I was going to give him dry toast. Also, he's got a rash on his arms and legs that the GP said was part of the gastic problem. Any idea as to how long it'll take for that to go away (it just started yesterday)?

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