8 Foods to Give Your Child During Loose Motions

Stomach-related issues like constipation, diarrhoea, stomach aches, or vomiting are very common among children. The culprits could be infections, an underdeveloped digestive system, food allergies/intolerances, or simply a change in diet or routine. In any case, taking the child to a Kids Pediatrician in Delhi and getting appropriate, professional advice and care is crucial. A paediatrician must be considered for specialised child care if the child is having a lingering or complex stomach issue. However, it is equally crucial for a parent or caretaker of the child to show love and care and provide appropriate home remedies and personalised care.

This piece focuses on loose motions in children and what diet plan to follow in such a case.

Loose Motions in Children

Loose motion, medically termed as diarrhoea, is a problem with bowel movement that causes loose, watery stools to repeatedly pass out of the digestive system. There are many contributing factors to loose motions in children, including:

• Intolerances or allergies to certain food products like dairy products, high fiber foods, or a lot of fresh fruit juices

• Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections through the intake of contaminated food or water

• Dairy, caffeine, or spicy foods that a breastfeeding mother takes

• Improper formula feeding of a child

• Change in the child’s diet plan

• Teething

• Certain medications

• Intestinal issues

• Stress or anxiety.

There are plenty of safe and effective ways to adapt to relieve loose motion and its associated symptoms/concerns in children. The major one to consider is the diet plan.

8 Foods to Add to a Child’s Diet Plan During Loose Motions

During loose motion in children, it’s strictly advised to provide the children with easily digestible, binding, and bland foods that can help normalise the stool consistency and restore the lost fluids in the body.

Paediatricians usually recommend a BRAT (Banana, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) diet plan for the child along with other helpful food options. To get the digestive system to return to normal functioning, it’s necessary to keep the body well hydrated, maintain the beneficial microflora in the stomach, and consume small, frequent meals.

Here are the commonly advised foods to have during loose motions:

• Bananas- They are easily digestible and are a rich source of potassium, an electrolyte that gets depleted along with water during loose motion. Also, they contain pectin- a soluble dietary fiber, which absorbs excess water from the intestine and solidifies the stools. Having a banana can provide instant energy, thus helping the child overcome weakness and fatigue associated with loose motions.

• White rice- White rice has a lot of starch, can bind loose stools, and is a good energy source. It's easily digestible and so is best to fill the stomach during loose motions.

• Applesauce- It is another source of pectin, a soluble fiber that helps consolidate stools by absorbing excess water from the intestines. Also, it's bland and lightweight on the stomach.

• Toast- It's bland, easily digestible, can help firm stools, and is a good energy source.

• Boiled or mashed Potatoes- It is bland, easy to digest, a good energy source, and can replenish the lost potassium during loose motions.

• Yoghurt- It contains good bacteria and so serves as a probiotic. It can help restore the normal gut balance, inhibit the infection-causing pathogens, and even reduce the severity and duration of loose motions.

• Clear Broth- It can help replenish the lost fluids and electrolytes while providing the essential nutrients and minimising the strain on the digestive system. When a warm broth is consumed, the stomach discomfort associated with loose motions also gets relieved.

• Coconut Water- It naturally rehydrates the body and provides gentle, nutrient replenishment.

Foods to Avoid During Loose Motion in Children

Here are some food items that, when taken, can exacerbate the loose motion in children as they are hard to digest and easily irritate the sensitive digestive system.

• Foods with laxative effect, like those containing artificial sweeteners and fiber-rich foods

• Fat-loaded dairy products, including milk and cheese

• Some fruit juices, especially those loaded with fructose

• Sugar-loaded foods and drinks

• Fatty, fried foods

• Hot and spicy foods

• Caffeinated drinks

• Alcohol.

If you need more information or help from a paediatrician in getting children active and healthy again, schedule a consultation with Dr. Promilla Butani, a Senior General Pediatrician in Delhi.