My 6-month-old baby has had diarrhea all morning. I can't get an appointment with my pediatrician until much later this afternoon. What can I do in the meantime?
The primary concern for an infant with diarrhea is dehydration. Diarrhea will cause your baby
to lose fluids and electrolytes. It
therefore is important to rehydrate your baby with an oral rehydration product to prevent
dehydration.
Be alert to these signs of dehydration:
- Dry or sticky mouth
- Few or no tears when crying
- Eyes look sunken into the head
- Soft spot (fontanelle) on top of
the head looks sunken
- Fewer than six wet diapers per day, going six to eight hours without urinating, or
urinating very little
- Dry, cool skin that lacks elasticity
- Lethargy
- Dark-colored urine
Oral rehydration solutions and electrolyte products are available over the
counter. Some contain a special mix of electrolytes and fluids; some are in the form of freezer
pops; some are in the form of strips that require drinking water to supply the fluid. You may
wish to keep these products on hand so they are ready to use as the need arises.
As with any medication you give your child, read the instructions fully, and follow the
directions to the letter when administering the remedy (how much, how often, etc.). Until the
pediatrician can examine your baby, call the doctor's office and have him or her give you
further recommendations on what liquids/food you can give your baby in the meantime.
Learn more about babies and diarrhea in
the Health Encyclopedia.
View electrolyte products available
from Walgreens.com.
If you're looking for more specific answers to specific questions, ask a Walgreens pharmacist here.
DISCLAIMER:
Answers to questions regarding information about medications or health conditions are not for
diagnostic or treatment purposes and are not conclusive as to the presence or absence of any
health condition. Consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment of your medical condition.
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Advances in medicine may cause
this information to become outdated, invalid or subject to debate. Professional opinions and
interpretations of the scientific literature may vary. Walgreens' terms of use and general
warranty disclaimer apply to all services provided. If you are in need of immediate medical
attention, contact your physician, poison control center or emergency medical professional. If
you need to speak with a pharmacist for non-emergency matters, contact your local Walgreens
pharmacist or call a Walgreens.com pharmacist toll-free at 1 (877) 250-5823.
