Diarrhea is poop that's loose or watery. When diarrhea lasts for more than a few weeks, it's called chronic diarrhea.

Make any diet changes and give plenty of liquids as recommended by your healthcare provider. Giving enough liquids will help prevent dehydration (not having enough water in the body) in your baby.

Here's how to care for your baby.

• Unless your healthcare provider told you otherwise:
  • Continue feeding your baby breast milk or formula as usual. Your baby may want to feed more often than usual, and that's OK.
  • Continue giving your baby their regular diet of solid foods.
• Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for:
  • Whether you should give your baby an oral electrolyte solution (such as Pedialyte®, Enfalyte®, or a store brand) in addition to their regular feedings. You can buy the solution at the pharmacy without a prescription.
  • Any diet or formula changes.
  • When your baby can return to daycare.
• Don't give medicines to treat diarrhea. These can cause serious problems in babies.
• Don't offer plain water, diluted (watered down) formula, or diluted breast milk. They don't have the nutrients your baby needs.
• Don't give juice, soda, or sports drinks, which have too much sugar for babies and can make diarrhea worse.
• You will know your baby is getting enough liquids if:
  • They have a wet diaper every 4 to 6 hours.
  • Their mouth is moist.
  • They have tears when they cry.

Your baby:

• Has diarrhea that continues or that gets worse.
• Starts to vomit (throw up).
• Has a poor appetite, is losing weight, or is not gaining weight as expected.
• Is over 3 months old and has a fever. If your baby is 3 months or younger and has a rectal (taken in the bottom) temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, take them to the ER.
• Has black poop or poop with streaks of blood or mucus in it.
• Seems to be getting sicker.

Your baby:

• Isn't drinking at all or has signs of dehydration, such as a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes or soft spot on the head, more than 4–6 hours without a wet diaper, darker than usual pee, crying with little or no tears, or decreased alertness
• Is 3 months or younger and has a rectal (taken in the bottom) temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Is vomiting again and again, has vomit that's bright green, red, or brown, or has forceful vomiting
• Is crying a lot and can't be calmed down
• Seems to have belly pain or other pain

You know your baby best. If your baby seems very sick or has symptoms that worry you, call your healthcare provider or take your baby to the ER.

What causes chronic diarrhea? Many things can cause chronic diarrhea, including:

• Infections from a virus or bacteria (different types of germs).
• Too much of some kinds of foods or drinks, such as too much juice. Babies under 1 year should not drink any juice.
• Food allergies or intolerances, such as lactose intolerance.

Does my baby need an antibiotic? In babies, diarrhea is usually caused by a virus. Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria, not viruses. If your healthcare provider thinks your baby's diarrhea is from bacteria, they will prescribe an antibiotic.

How do oral electrolyte solutions help keep a baby hydrated? These solutions contain a balanced mix of water, electrolytes (sodium, chloride, and potassium), and sugars (glucose). They provide the fluids the baby needs and replace the liquids and electrolytes that are lost through diarrhea. This helps prevent or treat dehydration and keep the body's electrolytes balanced.