Normal baby stools are soft and loose. Newborns have frequent stools, sometimes with every feeding. For these reasons, you may have trouble knowing when your baby has diarrhea.

Your baby may have diarrhea if you see changes in the stool, such as more stools all of a sudden; possibly more than one stool per feeding or really watery stools.

Causes of Diarrhea 

Diarrhea in babies usually does not last long. Most often, it is caused by a virus and goes away on its own. Your baby could also have diarrhea with:

• A change in your baby's diet or a change in the mother's diet if breastfeeding.
• Use of antibiotics by the baby, or use by the mother if breastfeeding.
• A bacterial infection. Your baby will need to take antibiotics to get better.
• A parasite infection. Your baby will need to take medicine to get better.

Diarrhea Causes Dehydration

Infants and young children under age 3 can become dehydrated quickly and get really sick. Dehydration means that your baby does not have enough water or liquids. Watch your baby closely for signs of dehydration, which include:

• Dry eyes and little to no tears when crying
• Fewer wet diapers than usual
• Less active than usual, lethargic
• Irritable
• Dry mouth
• Dry skin that does not spring back to its usual shape after being pinched
• Sunken eyes
• Sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on top of the head)

Taking Care of Your Baby

Make sure your baby gets plenty of liquids so she does not get dehydrated.

• Keep breastfeeding your baby if you are nursing. Breastfeeding helps prevent diarrhea, and your baby will recover quicker.
• If you are using formula, make it full strength unless your health care provider gives you different advice.

If your baby still seems thirsty after or between feedings, talk to your provider about giving your baby Pedialyte or Infalyte. Your provider may recommend these extra liquids that contain electrolytes

• Try giving your baby 1 ounce (2 tablespoons or 30 milliliters) of Pedialyte or Infalyte, every 30 to 60 minutes. DO NOT water down Pedialyte or Infalyte. DO NOT give sports drinks to young infants.
• Try giving your baby a Pedialyte popsicle.

Feeding Your Baby

If your baby was on solid foods before the diarrhea began, start with foods that are easy on the stomach, such as:

• Bananas
• Crackers
• Toast
• Pasta
• Cereal

DO NOT give your baby food that makes diarrhea worse, such as:

• Apple juice
• Milk
• Fried foods
• Full-strength fruit juice

When to Call the Doctor

Also call if your child has signs of being dehydrated, including:

• Dry and sticky mouth
• No tears when crying
• No wet diaper for 6 hours

Know the signs that your baby is not getting better, including:

• Fever and diarrhea that last for more than 2 to 3 days
• More than 8 stools in 8 hours
• Vomiting continues for more than 24 hours
• Diarrhea contains blood, mucus, or pus
• Your baby is much less active than normal (is not sitting up at all or looking around)
• Seems to have stomach pain

Sources : www.medlineplus.gov