Toddler Diarrhoea is a common problem. Frequent stools which are too soft to be formed passed several times a day without any fever being present and with no dirty nappies overnight are often diagnosed as Toddler Diarrohea. The child is not vomiting and shows no other symptoms. There may be recognisable food matter, peas carrots or sweetcorn present. The stools often become more loose as the day progresses. The succession of dirty nappies start typically after the child first eats or drinks.
It is thought that this condition is due to gut immaturity and often it improves without any treatment.
Many dietary manipulations have been tried including reducing fibre, increasing fat to prolong transit times, and reducing sugar intake. Reducing fibre will help where the family have adopted healthy eating practices and have a normally high fibre intake. Tolerance of fibre increases as the child ages and arround 4-5 years a higher fibre intake is better tolerated by the child.
Constipation in children is particularly common following infection or after an anal fissure. There may also be a behavioural element to this. The child should be encouraged to eat a higher fibre diet including beans, wholegrain cereals, lentil soup, and baked beans. Encouraging fluids will also help. There is no place for mealtime battles over vegetables and young children should never be given unprocessed bran. With gentle encouragement and reassurance this is a simple issue that is easily resolved.
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