Could your child have toddler diarrhoea?

What is Toddler Diarrhoea?

It is the most frequent cause of persistent diarrhoea in young children between the ages of 1 and 5 years. The child is usually well and their growth is good.

Symptoms include 2 or more watery, loose stools daily which tend to be more smelly, paler than usual and often have undigested foodstuffs in, especially vegetables such as peas, sweetcorn and carrots. Mild stomach pain sometimes occurs but it is unusual.

What causes Toddler Diarrhoea?

The cause is not fully understood.

It may be due to some or all of the following factors:

• Fast transit time such as food moving quickly through the gut
• Young children sometimes have immature guts and often experience rapid gut transit time. Their bodies may not be able to digest certain foods as effectively as older children or adults.
• Dietary issues: “The 4 F’s”. Fat, Fluid, Fruit Juices, Fibre.

Toddler diarrhoea is not due to poor absorption of food and is not a serious bowel problem. Your child will usually still get all the nutrients they need from the food they eat.

How is Toddler Diarrhoea Treated?

Most cases of toddler diarrhoea will settle on their own, usually between the ages of 2 and 5 years of age. Often no treatment is needed, particularly if symptoms are mild, However, some temporary dietary changes may help, particularly if symptoms are more severe.

If you are concerned about your child’s bowel habits please feel free to contact me for a free 10 minute consultation or contact me through my website to see if I can help.