Safe & Natural: 8 Home Remedies To Treat Your Baby’s Diarrhea This Summer

August 5, 2015

Babies have weak immune systems, and anything—from the scorching summer heat to an allergic reaction to a new food—can give them a bout of diarrhea. (In severe cases, this can also be an early symptom of an illness.)

However, if your baby’s diarrhea is mild and is not stopping him from being playful and active, you can perhaps treat it at home. Try these easy home remedies to keep the loose motions in control this summer.

1. White Grape Juice
The juice of fresh white grapes acts in the same way as oral re-hydrating solutions. Not only is it natural and safe, it also replenishes the lost fluids in your baby’s body and adds essential vitamins.
What You Can Do: If your baby has never had white grape juice before, give him small sips in-between his feeding sessions.

2. Bananas
Bananas contain potassium that will replenish the lost nutrients. The fiber in bananas will further help in binding your baby’s stools and can reduce their frequency.
What You Can Do: Mash the banana and serve it as it is, or mix it with a boiled apple to add more nutrition.

3. Carrots
Carrots, both in raw and cooked form, are great for controlling your baby’s loose stools. The fiber found in carrots will help solidify your baby’s stool by adding extra bulk to it.
What You Can Do: If your baby has not started eating solids, you can boil the carrots, purée them and give him one to two spoonfuls after every three to four hours. If your baby has started eating solids, you can give him either raw or boiled.

4. Apples
Apples contain pectin, a kind of soluble fiber that will add bulk to your baby’s loose stools and give them shape. It will also soothe your baby’s digestive tract, easing any pain or discomfort in the process.
What You Can Do: Peel the apples and boil them. If your baby has not started eating solids, you can purée the apples and give a couple of spoonfuls every three hours. If your baby is on solids, serve it in soft chunks.

5. Plain White Rice
The carbohydrate and starch in white rice acts as a binding agent that will add shape to your baby’s stools. It is easy for your baby to digest and can also lower the frequency of loose and watery stools.
What You Can Do: Boil plain white rice and mash it using your clean hands or the back of a spoon. You can give it as it is or add some boiled carrot or apple for flavor.

6. Yogurt
Plain yogurt will add good bacteria to your baby’s intestines, which will rev up digestion and reduce the frequency of loose stools. However, some babies might not be able to tolerate it well, so introduce a small amount at a time.
What You Can Do: Give your baby two to three spoons of yogurt at a time. If he seems to like it and has no allergy or other symptoms, you can mix the yogurt with some plain white rice.

7. Toast
The carbohydrates in a slice of toast will give energy to your little one, who’s drained out and tired due to the bout of diarrhea.
What You Can Do: Dry toast a slice of bread and let your baby chew on it. If the baby finds it hard, you can dip it in plain yogurt.

8. Breast Milk
Breast milk contains antibodies that prevent the onset of diarrhea and lower its occurrence. So, if you’re already nursing your little one, don’t stop now.
What You Can Do: Continue breastfeeding your baby. If your baby is on a combination of formula and breast milk, try to reduce the formula for some time and increase breast milk, as formula will be harder to digest and may aggravate the symptoms.

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