Diarrhea is poop that is loose or watery. In babies, it's usually caused by a virus (type of germ) but can also be from food allergies or changes in diet.

Make any diet changes and give breast milk, formula, and/or an oral electrolyte solution (such as Pedialyte®, Enfalyte®, or a store brand), as recommended by your healthcare provider. Giving your baby plenty of liquids will help prevent dehydration (not enough water in the body) in your baby. You can buy the oral electrolyte solution at drugstores or supermarkets without a prescription.

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
  • 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 gets worse or that lasts more than two days.
• Starts to vomit (throw up).
• Isn't back to their regular diet of breast milk, formula, or solid foods within 3–4 days.
• 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 diarrhea? Diarrhea in babies can be caused by germs such as viruses and bacteria. Drinking too much juice can also cause diarrhea. Babies under 1 year should not drink any juice. Other causes include food allergies or taking certain medicines.

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 replace the liquids and electrolytes that a baby loses through diarrhea. This helps prevent or treat dehydration and keep the body's electrolytes balanced.

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 can we prevent diarrhea? It can help to:

• Have everyone in your family wash their hands well and often. They should wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available. This is especially important after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, and before preparing or eating food.
• Clean objects and surfaces regularly with disinfectant, especially doorknobs and other things that get touched a lot.
• Wash fruits and vegetables well before eating them.
• Clean kitchen counters and cooking utensils well after they've been in contact with raw meat.
• Refrigerate meats and fish as soon as you bring them home from the store and cook them well. Refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible after cooking.
• Avoid drinking from streams, springs, or lakes.