Diarrhea is a very common disease in children just like common cold. Children of all age groups (including infants) suffer from diarrhea or loose motions at some point in their lives. A child is considered to have diarrhea when he has at least three or more loose motions in a day. So if diarrhea is a common disease among children, why are we so worried about it? Why do doctors as well as the World Health Organization emphasize the need to stop diarrhea in children early?
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The answer is very simple – even though it is a common disease, it is not uncommon for children to suffer from complications related to diarrhoea. Children get dehydrated easily as compared to adults and hence they are prone to many problems due to dehydration.
Both parents and grand parents have their own different beliefs regarding diarrhoea. Grandparents often have a long list of foods that children should or should not eat during this time, as well as some home remedies. Overall, there are many misconceptions about diarrhea in children.
That is why today, through this article, I am trying to dispel all the common myths related to the treatment of diarrhea in children.
Myth #1: Moms Should Stop Breastfeeding During Diarrhea
Fact: Babies under six months of age should be exclusively breastfed. Feeding or breastfeeding should not be stopped during diarrhoea. At this time, the mother should breastfeed early and for a long time. If the child is older than 6 months, mothers should continue breastfeeding and give one or more of the following fluids – ORS, curd water, milk, lemon water, rice or dal water, vegetable soup Coconut water or plain clean water.
Myth #2: Some loose motion won’t dehydrate my baby
Fact: As I mentioned earlier, children get dehydrated more easily than adults. That’s why even some loose motion can cause dehydration in the baby.
Myth #3: Water is the only way to prevent dehydration
Fact: Preventing fluid loss is important, but water alone cannot replace the nutrients that are lost during diarrhea. Hence, ORS is ideally recommended in preventing diarrhoea. ORS contains minerals like sodium, potassium etc. which are essential to recover from dehydration.
Myth #4: Child will need antibiotics every time she/he has diarrhea
Fact: First, it is important to understand that diarrhea is a symptom of an infection. However, 95% of the time loose motions are due to a viral infection even in healthy children. Apart from this, Salmonella infection is also a common and another important reason for loose motion in children. Therefore, antibiotics are not required every time loose motion occurs. Let your pediatrician decide the best course of treatment for your child. Parents should start the treatment of diarrhea with ORS and Zinc as the first step.
Myth #5: Child should not eat solid food during diarrhea
Fact: Solid food should not be stopped at all! But there is a need to avoid giving your kids food that is either difficult to digest or excessively oily and spicy. Anything that is made at home can be fed to the baby several times a day. Semi-solid or liquid foods are easier to eat and digest and that is why such foods are encouraged during the treatment of loose motions. That’s why parents are advised to keep feeding the babies, and breastfeed the babies several times a day during diarrhoea.
Hope so you like the information provided in the blog if you like the information please share it with yours friend. So in the list it is important for parents to be well-informed about the treatment of diarrhea in children. It is crucial to understand the facts and myths related to this common illness, so that appropriate care can be provided to the child. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so make sure to maintain good hygiene practices and encourage your child to wash their hands regularly to prevent the spread of infections.
