What kind of baby diarrhea medicine is safe? find out here!

Diarrhea in babies can be caused by many things, such as a change in diet from liquid to solid, infections, or certain medical conditions. This condition occurs when you notice a change when the baby has a bowel movement. When a child experiences it, is the medicine for diarrhea or diarrhea for babies safe? Find out the answer below.

Is there a medicine for diarrhea (diarrhea) that is safe for babies?

The condition of diarrhea in infants usually does not last long because often the disease can subside on its own.

However, if after days the stool is still runny, you need to be more vigilant about the disease caused by this virus.

This is because babies are very susceptible to dehydration. Not to mention if your little one is also fussy because of vomiting.

Therefore, parents must also observe the characteristics of babies who have diarrhea. Moreover, dehydration in infants and young children can be fatal if left untreated.

In order to be resolved quickly, parents usually think about what medication for diarrhea or diarrhea can be given to babies.

Is there any medicine that is safe for babies to consume when they have diarrhea?

Avoid using diarrhea medications for babies

NEVER EVER carelessly give diarrhea medicine to babies, unless it has been recommended or prescribed by a pediatrician.

Quoted from The Food and Drug Administration, giving over-the-counter drugs can be dangerous for babies or toddlers.

Some products for relieving diarrhea, such as Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate, contain bismuth, magnesium, or aluminum.

This is classified as dangerous for babies and toddlers because it can accumulate as well as its effect as a poison in the body.

The diarrhea medicine Imodium (loperamide) may be used in certain cases, but not for children or infants younger than 2 years.

This means that diarrhea medicine for children should not be given to babies carelessly.

Meanwhile, diarrhea that does not go away is most likely caused by digestive disorders of the baby.

Especially for cases like this, the doctor will consider giving the type and dose of antibiotics for children with diarrhea.

It's different when diarrhea in babies is caused by other health problems, such as food allergies or Celiac and Crohn disease.

Usually, doctors will prescribe specific drugs to treat conditions that trigger diarrhea or diarrhea in babies.

Home remedies for diarrhea for babies

You don't need to worry because diarrhea in babies can be cured with other simple treatments.

Quoted from the American Family Physician, the most important home remedy for diarrhea for babies is to keep them hydrated.

The most important aspect of dealing with a baby with diarrhea is knowing the signs of dehydration and rehydrating the child's body.

Here are some ways parents can treat diarrhea in babies.

1. Continue to breastfeed

If the baby is still breastfeeding exclusively, do not stop breastfeeding.

One of the home remedies for diarrhea or loose stools in babies is to continue breastfeeding as usual; preferably more often.

Breast milk is the main source of food and fluid intake for babies under 6 months.

Not only that, breast milk also contains antibodies that can strengthen the baby's immune system naturally from within.

When the baby is more than 6 months old, you can alternate breastfeeding with boiled water. Start with as little as 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of water every 10 to 15 minutes.

Do not give liquids other than breast milk or plain water, such as tea or juice. This is because it can trigger stomach upset and worsen diarrhea in babies under one year of age.

2. Give ORS

In addition to breastfeeding and mineral water, you can give ORS to a baby with diarrhea to prevent dehydration from getting worse.

ORS is a diarrhea remedy containing sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (CaCl2), anhydrous glucose, and sodium bicarbonate.

These compounds work to replace the minerals and electrolytes that are lost from the baby's body.

Apart from buying it at the pharmacy, you can also make ORS solution at home from a mixture of salt, sugar and water.

According to Healthy Children, the rules for administering ORS as a diarrhea medicine for babies are:

If diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, give ORS solution 10-20 mL every 5-10 minutes
In ordinary diarrhea, give ORS 60-120 mL solution and wait for 30 minutes.

Giving ORS solution then wait until the baby returns to having diarrhea.

Please note that children should not be given this diarrhea medicine for more than 2 to 3 days, unless the doctor gives the green light.

3. Provide appropriate food

In addition to maintaining your little one's body fluids, parents also need to provide proper food for children with diarrhea.

Providing food helps increase the energy of the body so that the baby no longer feels weak due to diarrhea.

However, only provide food for babies who are already in the soft feeding stage or solids.

Also, don't give food to babies when they experience symptoms such as vomiting.

Here are further rules when giving food to treat diarrhea in babies:

It should have a soft texture and be perfectly cooked.
Serve warm soup with bland soup (no added spices or coconut milk)
Has a low fiber content, such as soft carrots that have been boiled and mashed bananas.
Avoid gassy vegetables, such as peas or broccoli

When to see a doctor?

Giving medicine for diarrhea or diarrhea for babies should not be arbitrary.

Instead of curing, inappropriate drugs can cause side effects or other health problems. Of course, this will complicate treatment.

If you are unsure about choosing the right diarrhea medicine for your baby, consult a doctor.

The doctor's examination is highly emphasized if the baby experiences some of these things (especially in babies less than 6 months):

Diarrhea occurs for more than 3 days
Continuously vomiting and difficult to give fluids, either breast milk, ORS, or plain water
Stool mixed with blood
Babies show signs of dehydration

The doctor will check the condition first and find out the cause of diarrhea in babies.

If a diagnosis has been established, then the doctor will give diarrhea medication according to the baby's condition.

Next, follow the treatment of dietary restrictions, and provide diarrhea medicine for babies according to the doctor's instructions.

If your baby shows symptoms of weakness, sunken eyes, less urine, and colds, this is a sign that he is severely dehydrated.

The only way for a baby who is severely dehydrated from diarrhea is to immediately take him to the hospital.

The baby will be given additional fluids in the form of an intravenous drip.