Confused on what to give your baby during loose motions?
What are the foods for babies and toddlers during loose motion or diarrhea?
What if your baby or toddler rejects food during the entire period of loose motions?
What are the foods during loose motion for babies, toddlers and kids?
Are these questions bothering you? Do not worry!
Today I present to you the list of 25 foods during loose motion for babies and toddlers. I will also be mentioning about the foods to be avoided completely during diarrhea.
Loose motion in babies is a difficult time just like cold and cough. Though it's the nature's way of flushing toxins out of the body, a lot of salt and water is lost during the process. It often results in dehydration turning the child pale.
If your baby passes urine along with the loose stools, you have nothing to worry about other than dehydration. But if the baby or kid stops urinating completely, urinates after a gap of 6 to 8 hours, or has continuous vomiting with loose stools you need to consult the doctor ASAP.
Reasons for loose motions in babies and toddlers:Hope you have already read my earlier post on how to tackle loose motion in babies and kids.
By the time the baby recovers from loose motion completely, he or she loses a lot of weight. But the lost weight would be regained by the child if the diet is taken care of in the right way post recovery.
Loose motion in babies, toddlers and kids could be due to many reasons.
If your baby is under antibiotics, it might result in loose motion. The strong antibiotics might be harsh for the tiny system and loose motions can happen.
This is one of the main reasons why pediatricians always suggest medicines for loose motions while recommending antibiotics for babies.
Always make it a point to ask for probiotics if he suggests antibiotics for your child.
By the time baby is 5-6 months he or she starts mouthing objects.
The floor on which baby plays and toys could be a ground for many infections. Tummy infections often result in loose motion which is considered as one of the signs of teething in babies.
If the baby's poop is consistently green, mucusy and frothy you need to consult the pediatrician ASAP as it's an indication of infection.
Make sure to wash and sanitize the toys used by the baby.
Often an upset tummy in babies might cause loose motions.
Undigested food, allergy to a new food introduced, seafood allergy, nuts allergy, lactose intolerance, rashes and food poisoning can lead to loose stools in babies.
Most of the time infected food and water provided to babies result in loose motions or diarrhea.
Always make sure to offer fresh and home-made foods to babies and kids.
- Excessive intake of laxative foods:
Kids often over-eat certain foods that are laxative in nature like raisins which can cause loose stools.
Poor hygiene of the surroundings in which the baby plays can also lead to infections thereby causing loose motions.
Always make sure to mop your house and kitchen with a homemade all-purpose cleaner.
The heat during the hot summer or the transition in seasons (for eg: from summer to rainy season) can also cause loose motions in babies, toddlers and kids.
25 Super foods during loose motion for babies, toddlers and kids:
I had received mail from a reader indicating that his son suffering from loose motion had been fed only yogurt or curd. The little one was so fed up of the same foods day and night that he had stopped eating completely; the worried father wrote.
Though curd and yogurt have gut friendly bacteria there are many other foods that can be given to babies, toddlers and kids during loose motion.
Earlier the perfect diet for loose motions was BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Apple Sauce and Toast). But now a days pediatricians recommend a lot many foods that can be taken during diarrhea.
Lets see the foods that can be given during loose motion to babies and kids in detail.
1. ApplesauceApple sauce contains pectin which helps to firm the stools.
Wash, peel and chop an apple. Heat a pan with water and add the apple pieces. Once cooked, mash with a fork or blend into a puree. Apple sauce is ready to be served.
Please note apple juice SHOULD NOT be given as the Sorbitol in it can aggravate loose motions.
2. Arrow root powder porridgeArrow root powder porridge or koova was one of the foods during loose motions given to me by my mother.
Wash and clean arrow roots well. Cut into thin pieces and let it sun dry for days. Once dried completely mill to a powder and sieve it. This powder has a shelf life of years if kept in air tight containers.
To make the arrow root powder porridge, take 1 tablespoon of powder and mix well with water so that no lumps are formed.
Stir the mixture on medium flame until its well-cooked. Add buttermilk or curd to the mixture and stir well. You can add in a pinch of salt if required.
Arrow root powder porridge is ideal for toddlers of 1 year and above once a day during loose motion.
3. Black tea with lemon juiceI have seen black tea with a dash of lemon juice given to kids and adults during loose motion.
Make a cup of strong black tea and squeeze in 1 to 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
This can be given to kids of 3 years and above only.
4. ButtermilkButtermilk is the most loved food during loose motions by toddlers and kids.
Add in a pinch of salt and roasted jeera powder or hing to enhance the flavour of buttermilk.
Buttermilk or sambharam is ideal for babies above 8 months and above.
5. BreadBread is one of the options for babies and toddlers during loose motion. You can dry roast the bread too.
Bread is ideal for babies of 10 months and above. Kindly monitor the child to avoid choking.
6. Breast milkDuring loose motions, breast milk is the only food required for babies up to 6 months as it has enough nutrients to hydrate the baby. You can increase the frequency of breastfeeding during loose motions.
Always monitor the urine levels of the baby by counting the wet diapers.
7. CarrotsDuring loose motions, boiled carrots are amazing to provide instant energy.
Pressure cook 1 washed and peeled carrot with turmeric powder and a pinch of salt till its done. Mash it with a fork and give to your baby.
If your baby is above 8 months, you can give the cooked carrots in the form of carrot fingers too (cut into thin finger shapes).
Boiled carrot puree or carrots can be given once a day during the phase of loose motions.
8. CurdThe best gut friendly food during loose motions, curd can be given to babies of 7-8 months and above.
Make sure to give freshly set curd (not soury) which can be made by adding a teaspoon of curd to 2 tablespoon cooled boiled milk.
You can add a pinch of roasted jeera powder and salt to the curd to enhance the flavour. It also helps to curb gas or bloating if any.
A bowl of curd with a pinch of salt and sugar can be given too.
DO NOT give curd if your baby has cold along with loose motions.
9. Curd riceCurd rice, a staple dish of Tamil Nadu is ideal during loose motion in babies and kids. You need to omit the milk and tempering from the authentic curd recipe during loose motions though.
Boil 1 cup of rice. Once cooled thoroughly add ½ cup of curd and a pinch of salt. Curd rice is ready to be served.
Please note if your baby has cold along with loose motions, avoid giving curd rice.
10. Dal KhichdiDal khichdi made with rice and dal in a runny consistency can be given to babies of 6 months and above during loose motion. You can add curd to this dal khichdi.
Please note that ghee NEED NOT be added as it's a natural laxative.
11. Dal paniPressure cook 1 tablespoon of dal with turmeric powder and water. Sieve to get the thin watery dal pani. Ideal for babies of 6 months and above.
12. FishStartled to read this? Fish during loose motions?
Yes! Sea fish ( NOT fresh water varieties) is an excellent food during loose motion but no fried or spicy curried fish during the entire period of diarrhea.
Steam well cleaned fish marinated with turmeric powder and a pinch of salt. Debone and offer to your toddler of 1 year and above. You can also read on how to introduce fish to your baby.
AVOID giving fish if the weather is too hot.
13. GlucoseStore bought glucose powder as it is or mixed in a glass of cooled boiled water can be given for toddlers of 1 year and above.
14. HoneyHoney along with dry toast can be given to toddlers of 1.5 years and above. You can also read why honey is not advisable for babies below 1 year.
15. IdlisIdlis being steamed are healthy and easily accepted by babies too. Its ideal for babies of 8 months and above.
Chutneys (though homemade) should NOT be given along with idlis during loose motions.
16. Kerala BananaKerala banana is excellent for babies and kids during loose motions.
Steam kerala banana till its well cooked. Take out the black seeds and offer half a banana to babies and toddlers. NO ghee or jaggery is required in this recipe.
Kerala bananas provide enough strength and energy. This can be given once during the day during loose motions for babies of 8 months and above.
Golden banans, elakki or other variety bananas SHOULD NOT be given during loose motions as they regulate bowel movements.
17. ORS Electral sachetsThe electral packets available in the medical stores can be bought, added in boiled cooled water and given to babies above 6 months. ORS helps to balance the electrolytes lost from the body preventing dehydration.
ORS can be given even if the baby or kid has vomiting along with loose stools.
You can make ORS solution at home too. Add a pinch of salt and sugar into a glass of filtered water. Homemade ORS is ready.
Now a days flavored ORS packets are also available.
18. PomegranatePomegranate kernels or juice is yet another excellent food for babies and toddlers during loose motions.
You can make pomegranate juice or give the kernels as it is. You can dilute the juice with water if required. This can be given once a day during loose stools for babies of 7-8 months and above.
19. PotatoPotato is the most commonly available form of starch which is great during loose motion in babies.
Pressure cook a potato with a little salt for 4 to 5 whistles. Mash the potato. You can add a pinch of roasted powdered cumin seeds too to curb the gas.
Offer the potato mash once a day to your 8 months+ baby or toddler.
20. RiceRice is one of the best foods that can be given to babies and toddlers during loose motion.
Boil in an open vessel or pressure cook 1 cup of rice and offer it to your baby or kid in the form of a mash or as it is.
You can also use the cooked rice water or watery gruel which is effective to stop loose stools.
Gruel, kanji pani or cooked rice can be given 2 to 3 times a day for babies of 6 months and above. However if you feel that the motions do increase with the introduction of rice or kanji pani, stop it immediately as some babies cannot tolerate the rice intake during loose motions.
21. SabudanaSabudna, sago, chavvari in the form of a thick porridge made in water can be given to babies and toddlers.
Soak 1 tablespoon of sago or sabudana for 2 hours. Pressure cook for 1 or 2 whistles. Strain to get the thick liquid, add curd and give to your baby. You can also add a pinch of hing and salt.
The sago porridge prepared in this way can be given to babies of 8 months and above.
22. TapiocaTapioca is one of the starchy foods that can be given to a baby or toddler during loose motion.
Pressure cook washed and cleaned tapioca in drinking water with a little salt and turmeric powder. Cook till the tapioca is mushy in consistency.
Give the liquid of this cooked mash or provide the mash if the baby accepts it.
This is ideal for babies of 10 months and above once a day during loose motions.
23. Tender coconut waterThe best ever natural glucose available for us; tender coconut water is enriched with simple sugars, minerals and electrolytes which help to prevent the body from dehydration.
Tender coconut water or ilaneer can be given to babies of 6 months and above one or twice during loose motions.
24. Toast or RuskI am sure this is one of the foods that you loved having during loose motions in your childhood days. Yes it's great for toddlers too.
Buy 1 or 2 packets of toast or rusk when your little one has loose motions. Give it to him when he is hungry. Can be given once or twice a day for babies of 10 months and above.
Kindly monitor the baby to avoid choking. Baby rusks devoid of maida can be used too.
25. Vegetable soupsVegetable soups in the form of a clear soup with a pinch of salt can provide relief to babies and toddlers during loose motion. Since soup can easily be absorbed by the body, its an apt food during loose motions.
However you need to make sure that there are no hot spices like green chillies, pepper powder or spinach, cabbage, sprouts added in the soups provided during loose motions.
Foods to be avoided during loose motion to babies, toddlers and kids:There are some foods to be omitted completely during the entire phase of loose motions. They are as follows.
Summary:Most of the children reject food during diarrhea or loose motion. But always encourage them to have foods even in the liquid consistency.
Though 80% of the foods provided during loose motions are lost, 20% would be retained in the body which will help to build up immunity or resistance.
If your baby or kid is on breastfeed, increasing the frequency of breastfeeding can help to hydrate the body faster.
Disclaimer: Please note that for babies below 1 year, the above mentioned foods(as per age) SHOULD be given without any salt or sugar. All these foods during loose motion are compiled from my experience, expert advice and research. Please make sure to choose the foods that would suit your baby.
Hope this article of foods during loose motion for babies, toddlers and kids was helpful. Hope you will bookmark it and share this informative article with your loved ones through social media too.
What all foods do you give your little one during loose motions? What is his/her comfort food during diarrhea? Is there any other foods you wish to add to this list? I would like to hear from you friends!