When Diarrhea in Kids Needs a Doctor
Diarrhea in Kids: What Ontario Parents Need to Know
Seeing your child with diarrhea is stressful, especially when you're wondering if it's serious enough for the ER. Most childhood diarrhea gets better on its own with home care, but knowing the warning signs helps you make the right call for your family.
What's going on?
Diarrhea happens when your child's intestines move food through too quickly, before enough water gets absorbed. The result is loose, watery stools that come more often than usual. It's incredibly common in kids and usually means their body is fighting off a virus, bacteria, or dealing with something they ate.
Most cases are caused by viruses like rotavirus or norovirus, which spread easily in daycares and schools. Sometimes it's from bacteria in contaminated food or water. Other times, your child might have eaten too much fruit, drunk too much juice, or be reacting to a new medication.
The good news? Most diarrhea in healthy kids clears up within a few days. Your child's immune system is doing its job, and their body knows how to heal.
What you might notice
- Loose, watery stools three or more times per day
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Low fever
- Loss of appetite
- Fussiness or fatigue
- More frequent diaper changes than usual
What helps at home
Keep your child hydrated above all else. Offer small, frequent sips of water, diluted apple juice, or oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte. Breast milk or formula work perfectly for babies.
Don't worry about food if your child isn't hungry for a day or two. When they're ready to eat, start with bland options like bananas, rice, toast, or crackers. Avoid dairy temporarily, as diarrhea can make it harder to digest.
Let your child rest as much as they want. Their body is working hard to get better. Keep them home from daycare or school until the diarrhea stops to prevent spreading illness to others.
When to worry
Head to the ER right away if your child shows signs of severe dehydration: no tears when crying, extremely dry mouth, no wet diaper for six hours (or no urination for eight hours in older kids), sunken eyes, or unusual sleepiness.
Also seek emergency care for blood in the stool, high fever over 39°C (102°F), severe stomach pain, or if your child seems very unwell and you're concerned.
Contact your doctor or text Arlo if diarrhea lasts more than three days, your child has mild dehydration signs like decreased urination or seems more tired than usual, or if you're just worried and want reassurance about what you're seeing.
The takeaway
Most childhood diarrhea is your child's body taking care of itself. Trust your instincts and don't hesitate to reach out for guidance.
You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!
References - [Diarrhea in children](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/diarrheainchildren)
- [When your child has gastroenteritis](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=7&language=English)
- [Dehydration in children](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/dehydrationandchildren)