Just like a shriveled plant needs water for re-hydration, a baby with diarrhea needs fluids.

1. Diarrhea is frequent, loose, watery bowel movement, which results in loss of essential nutrients and water from the body. My baby has diarrhea what do I do? • The loss of water and salts from diarrhea can result in dehydration, which can be very dangerous. • Symptoms of dehydration: • Excessive Thirst • Little or no urine • Urine is dark yellow • Dry mouth • Sunken eyes First you should ensure the baby is not dehydrated Just like a shriveled plant needs water for re-hydration, a baby with diarrhea needs fluids. What food do you give to a baby with diarrhea? Picture of ORS packet and 1 litre water bottle + Followed by giving the baby sips of ORS drink every 5 to 10 minutes. Breast milk is always the best If ORS packet is not available, prepare the rehydration drink at home by adding a pinch of salt and scoop of sugar in one tumbler of clean, boiled, warm water + + Scoop of sugar Clean boiled water Pinch of salt

2. Causes of Diarrhea Preventing Diarrhea Giving the baby breast milk for the first 6 months and after that supplementing it with dhal, cooked beans and rice and vegetables can help prevent malnutrition Malnourishment can very often lead to diarrhea As much as possible breast feed the baby for the first 6 months. If you use a feeding bottle make sure you sterilize the bottle in boiling water Un-sterilized feeding bottles can cause infection to the baby leading to diarrhea Unclean conditions spread germs that cause diarrhea Cooking in or drinking water which has bacteria and other germs can cause diarrhea Always boil the water used for drinking and use clean water for cooking Leaving food items open and unattended can cause germs to spread Always keep food items covered and free from flies. Always wash your hands with soap and water before cooking, eating and after you use the toilet and always before you feed the baby Failing to wash hands after using the toilet and before feeding the baby • Abrupt transition from breast milk to other food can cause diarrhea also. Do not stop breast milk overnight, instead start supplementing breast milk with other food slowly before you stop breast milk altogether. • When a child starts developing teeth, there is a chance of getting diarrhea as the baby starts chewing on anything she finds. So having a clean surrounding and making sure the baby does not put anything from the floor into her mouth will also help prevent diarrhea