Toddler diarrhoea

[Bigmango]

My 18 month old has had loose stools, and (only yesterday) some watery diarrhoea, for 10 days now. She has been absolutely fine in herself and has been eating and drinking loads. I took her to the doctor today. She wants to do a stool sample and put her on a 24 hour liquid only diet. I am a bit nervous about this. She is not ill and she bloody loves her food. Is she going to scream with hunger the whole time? Will she sleep? Is this entirely necessary? I know how hard I would find going without food for 24 hours, even if I knew the reason why. It seems very pretty brutal to starve a toddler who will have no understanding of why I’m not feeding her. Any experiences with this?

It's totally normal to stop food with diarrhoea, and you say 10 days?! That's a long time. It's unlikely to stop if you keep feeding her. Do as the GP suggests. Did they say that she could have milk?

Nope, nothing at all. Just rehydration sachets.

Is the stool sample before or after the 24 hour liquid only diet?

And is it just loose stools for 10 days, or the diarrhoea?

Like you, I think a 24 hour fast a bit extreme for a toddler who isn't ill. I used to take medical advice with a pinch of salt (still do).

If this were my child I'd give the rehydration sachets anyway but certainly wouldn't attempt to fast a not-ill toddler for 24 hours.

Loose stools for most of the 10 days: 1-2 a day. The last 2 days has been proper watery diarrhoea but still only 1-2 a day. I do think it’s a bit extreme but will do it if necessary.