Dear Parents,
Loose motion is the second most common illness I see in my practice after throat infections. Besides the treatment of loose motion the biggest dilemma parent face is what food to be given to the child during the illness. I will be discussing diet in a child down with loose motion in 3 headings
- For children less than 6months of age
- For children 6 months to 1 yr of age
- For children more than 1 yr of age
- For children less than 6 months of age
Do’s -Mother’s milk is best for the baby so continue breast feeding. Babies who are on formula feed, their parent can change formula milk from regular [ NAN or Lactogen or Dexolac ] to Soya milk powder [ Nusobee or Isomyl soya] as its easily digestible. Electral powder [ ORS] to be added in the diet.
Don’t ‘s – No outside food should be given, glucose water not to be given.
- For children 6 months to 1 yr of age
Do’s – Breast feeding to be continued for the baby. In weaning food Dal , Cerelac, soya milk powder, fruits[ Banana or apple preferrably], ragi ,rava [ Sooji] are completely safe. Electral powder [ ORS], coconut water and juices can be given in the diet.
Don’t’s – No dairy milk, No glucose water, fruits like mango and papaya to be avoided.
- For children age more than 1 yr of age
Do’s – Keep the diet simple and bland.Dal rice, khicdi, pongal,sambhar rice, sandwiches, Cerelac , roti subzi , curd rice, fruits[ like banana, apple,chikku], dosa, in the non veg food egg can be given but it should be fully cooked[ boiled egg or omelette]. Electral powder [ ORS], coconut water and juices to added in the diet.
Don’t’s – No dairy milk .Spicy [ pickle, Spicy gravy, non veg food], sweet [ gulab jamun ,kheer, halwa] and oily food [ poori, vada , deep fried stuff] to be avoided as they are difficult to digest and many times increases loose motion. No glucose water.
Hope this blog helps in decreasing your dilemma in what diet to give to your child when he is suffering from loose motion.