My 2 Yr Old Has Major Diarrhea - Going on 2 Weeks Now!

Updated on April 27, 2009
A.F. asks from Medina, WA
22 answers

So, every day I think it's getting better, and then she goes to sleep and whammo - we have a major blowout (sometimes 4-5) and she's soiled her sheets, her comforter, everything on her bed. I haven't changed her diet, and she eats really well; always fresh foods, organic, loads of veggies and lately loads of starches as well. I've been giving her pedialyte mixed with water, limiting her dairy, nothing seems to be helping. no fever, no major cramping; in almost all other way she's totally fine. Any clues? Has anyone experienced this? her poops during the day are better than the night ones, too, which is weird to me... Thanks in advance for any insight.

Let me clarify - I have taken her to a MD (who supports and believes in naturopathic ways) and he doesn't know what it is either. She's being tested for Rotavirus now, but I was hoping to find someone else who has gone through this; she's currently on a program of 10B count probiotic powder (which is an increase from her normal 1b daily dose) I'm just trying to identify this to make sure it doesn't effect the other kids. Has anyone had a child with Magnesium poisoning? I was giving her Epsom Salts baths and I think this may be related. I have since stopped giving her the baths, but the poop hasn't cleared up yet.

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M.C.

answers from Seattle on

I would take her in if you have not done so yet.

Try feeding her just the BRAT dieet; Bananas, rice, aplesauce, and toast. Until she is feeling better to eat more. Simple chicken would be o.k. also.

Lots of fluid also, maybe even pedialyte.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.F.

answers from Richland on

Hi A.
my grandson use to have problems with diarrhea when we took away some of the fruit and vegetable servings it stopped
Paula

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B.P.

answers from Seattle on

You should stop all solids for a few days and just give her the pedialite, NO dairy, jellos and anything you can see through. This gives her bowels a chance to heal themselves. If it hasn't stopped by day 3 then it may be a virul infection that needs meds. Make sure she is drinking a lot of fluids as diarrhea can dehydrate her badly. It may be irritation from the earlier virus and needs to heal.

1 mom found this helpful
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W.L.

answers from Seattle on

Hi A.,

After two weeks, I definitely suggest taking her into see her pediatrician as soon as you can. I don't think it's anything to panic over, but it's definitely something that your pediatrician should investigate at this point.

Is she getting any probiotics? (Either through supplements or yogurt or something?) If she's had diarrhea at all, especially for that long, then her digestive system is definitely lacking the good bacteria that it needs to rebalance and produce normal stools again.

As always, I personally recommend a Naturopathic Pediatrician, because I think they're MUCH better doctors (and I have little faith in general Peds through too many bad experiences and mistakes they made). I know some people are weary of them because they don't think they are as capable, or can do all the same things (vaccinations, prescriptions, etc); however, it's just the opposite. They can do all of the same things, but they really take the time with you (not just 10 minute intervals) and come up with real solutions to help your body rebalance more naturally rather than just medicating it (which they also do if necessary.) I just had to throw that out there. :o)

I hope she's better soon! Best of luck to you!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Seattle on

Hi A.
Being that you are doing so well making sure she eats good and organic. You might consider taking her to a homeopathic doctor to take a look at her. He might have you change her diet a bit. Also, you did say she eat lots of veggies. Which veggies? Maybe she is eating too many? Veggies have alot of fiber and are excellent to keep the system clean. It is good that you are asking questions and are on top of it. Keep us posted as to how she does and what was the answer.

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J.W.

answers from Seattle on

Something isn't quite right. You should probably take her to see the dr. who will take a stool sample and other blood work. It's possible that she is allergic, has irritable bowel syndrome, a parasite, a virus.... if none of your other children or you are suffering from a similar set of symptoms, it's more confusing. Again, take her to the doctor. Keep her hydrated and with as much nutrients as possible.

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W.C.

answers from Seattle on

It sounds like she might be allergic to something in her diet. Try taking one thing out for a week at a time. Start with the fresh fruits. Limit the sugars. If that doesn't work take her to the doctors. Also stay away from fresh blueberries until things are evened out. Blueberries do a real number on baby's stool.

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T.R.

answers from Bellingham on

If she doesn't have issues with dairy, I would recommend some yogurt. It has active cultures in it that are very good for her digestive system. Mountain high is my favorite. It doesn't have HFCS and it doesn't have RBST in it, and it has all natural ingredients, and it is full fat, which is a GOOD thing, especially for kids. It is not loaded with sugar like other yogurts and it sounds like her digestive system could really use some good bacteria. And keep her well hydrated of course. I hope she is better soon, it must be very frustrating for both of you.

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M.K.

answers from Seattle on

Hi A.
sounds like you have a lot of good advice on diet and what is causing the Diarrhea.. so my advice is from a different angle.

To save yourself from the headache of washing the sheets several times a night.. try using a mattress pad. they sell them at babies r us and wal-mart.. a soft side on the side they would sleep on and plastic on the other. The size I have was originally to fit the crib.

I always use these when my kids are sick (diarrhea and vomiting) - mostly because I don't have a lot of extra sheets and because as you mentioned - it always seems to be in the middle of the night when I'm hardly awake.. easier to clean and fix back up. I have several.

keep up the good work.. hopefully your daughter will improve soon. my son had something like this a few weeks ago and it lasted about 10+ days. after about a week I started giving him all the things I know make him constipated.. after a few days it seem to balance out.

-marg

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S.T.

answers from Portland on

Have the Dr. check her for Celiac... I had a friend who's little boy was going through the same things. He started off with a virus and then the Celiac reared its ugly head. As long as he stays on a completely gluten free diet, he has no problems, but if he even gets a small snack containing gluten he's back to having a bad belly again.. good luck!

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S.B.

answers from Portland on

I've seen a lot of great suggestions, but there is one missing. There is a parasite called Giardia that is fairly common in children (and pets and can be transferred between the two). I trip to the doctor for a quick stool sample check could save you and your child a ton of misery. Medication is required to get rid of the giardia which will be sucking up the nutrients she needs.

Good luck,
S.

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L.A.

answers from Seattle on

I would suspect the rotovirus - until you said she has it only at night - please do take her to a doctor.

I would wonder if it a allergy of some sorts - maybe something she only eats at night - or maybe an environmental factor in her room.

For me - I have develop weird allergies to things I use every day - laundry soap, body soap, and most recent contact solution.

While I don't use a naturapath - I do think they are the best for identifying allergies.

Good luck to you!

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J.C.

answers from Seattle on

Boil rice, not the instant stuff, the regular rice. Pour that water/rice starch into something and let it cool. Mix with sweetener, (honey, small amount of sugar) and let her drink that. The starch will slow down her bowls.

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K.C.

answers from Seattle on

Have you had her around any cats in the last 2 3 weeks? If you have have her chcked for Giaridia. People get it from cats all the time.

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D.L.

answers from Portland on

sometimes my kids get sick with a virus that causes this, but the diarrhea doesn't always go away very easily. I have found that the BRAT diet clears it up if you do it for 24 hours (bananas, white rice, applesauce, and white toast).I would only give water or pedialyte to drink. Start in the morning and do it all day. these foods are very easy on the tummy, and it allows her system to recover from illness or whatever stressed it out. The next day it should be better - if not I would go to the doc, but I would try that first. Probiotics are a good idea too. This almost always works for my kids (I learned from calling in so often to the doc and everytime they would give me that advice). Good luck ..

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S.D.

answers from Seattle on

When my daughter did this the Dr. said to stick to the BRAT diet (only eat Bananas, white rice, applesauce, and white dry toast) We did this and also got some baby probiotics from Whole Foods- It is kept in the refridgerater case and is not cheap- but you put a little (1/8 of a teaspoon) mixed with water and they drink it. That was really the only thing that helped my daughter and now I give it to her whenever she seems a little out of the ordinary digestively speaking. I got the one with the dinosaurs on the package, but they have a few different kinds- It is like us drinking the danactive, or activia yogurts.

Good luck,
S.

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D.D.

answers from Seattle on

If the BRAT diet doesn't work, I suggest checking for food allergies - particularly Celiac disease. My daughter had a lot of problems controlling her bowels. When we had it diagnosed, and I stopped giving her wheat, she was able to control them.

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M.D.

answers from Seattle on

I had a similar problem with my son when he was about that age. Please take her into the doctor and ask to have some lab tests done on her stool. When the body has diarrhea, there is a reason. You need to figure it out. Do NOT give any medication like amodium-D

M.

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D.A.

answers from Portland on

There was another recent post similar to this, but the boy was throwing up periodically.

Also, my friend's daughter went through a bout of vomiting off and on for 11 days or so, she also had a fever with it.

My daughter started with a vomiting phase and fever then progressed to diarreha. She hasn't had it for very long, but I'm hoping.

Our naturopath suggests activated charcoal. The bottle of capsules says to use 2 caps 3x per day for only 3 days, no more. I'm using it on a small 4 year old and only tried 1 cap opened and poured into a little water. She drank about half and has refused the rest.

Any one out there know how to give the activated charcoal to a toddler/preschooler? There are some of us looking at your post for answers, too.

You might try activated charcoal and definitely the probiotic, primadophilus and bifidus are two that are recommended for little ones.

Good luck and I'll be checking in for other posts, too.
D.

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T.S.

answers from Seattle on

I would say get her into her pediatrician right away! At least call their office and see if your daughter should be seen. They will probably have you come in. Having diarreah that long can be dangerous. She could be dehydrating! Good Luck! I hope that she is ok!

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K.B.

answers from Portland on

I agree with the last person who wrote in. This is definitely not something to handle on your own. It may be her diet and when I say diet, I just mean that she may have an allergy to something. Please get her tested for allergies and talk with the pediatrician about this. If the pediatrician is not open to this kind of testing due to her age, go to Dr. Thomas in Tigard. He is a Dr who focuses more at a naturopathic level and is open to testing. I can't remember what office he is out of, but it's just off of Scholl's Ferry and 217.

I had the same problem with my son, only I found out that he was being fed too much juice at daycare. It was flushing him out of his nutrients and good bacteria. I yanked him out of there and vowed to never put him in daycare again. His bowls took a few years to get back on track and we had to contain his problems (seizures and behavioral) with diet. He could not have tons of carbs and sugars. Mostly protein. He is now growing out of it and can have much more foods than before.

I wish you the best, but Dr. Thomas is my recommendation.

Kim B.

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J.E.

answers from Portland on

Hi!, i had a health food store in Calif before the 94 earthquake. The best thing that is natural & seemed to work on all ages is green bananas. I know a kid, like 1st grade(could't go to schoo) Mom otc + a Dr's visit hadn't helped ....tried green bananas & it worked,didn't even give a a little stomach ache. You guy is younger but I don't think any Dr,etc. would say no to trying it.

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