Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
Your child was seen in the ED for diarrhea:
●A baby has diarrhea if their bowel movements are more runny or watery than normal, or happening more often than normal. They might have twice as many bowel movements as they usually have.
●An older child has diarrhea if they have 3 or more runny or watery bowel movements in a day.
Diarrhea in children is usually caused by viruses or side effects from antibiotic medicines.
The doctors think your child's diarrhea is likely not caused by something serious. It will probably get better on its own in a few days.
You might be waiting on your child's test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Help your child take all their medicines as instructed. Do not give them over-the-counter diarrhea medicines. They are not likely to help, and they might not be safe.
●Help your child stay hydrated:
•If your child is a baby, offer them regular feedings of breast milk or formula. You can also give them 2 to 4 ounces (60 to 120 mL) of an oral rehydration solution after every loose bowel movement.
•If your child is older, offer them small amounts of fluid every 15 to 30 minutes. The best fluids are water, broth, and oral rehydration solutions. You can give them 4 to 8 ounces (120 to 240 mL) of an oral rehydration solution after every loose bowel movement. You can also give them fruit juice mixed with an equal amount of water. Avoid full-strength fruit juices, sports drinks, and other sugary drinks.
●Offer your child small amounts of foods from their normal diet. Good foods are lean meats, rice, potatoes, bread, yogurt, fruits and vegetables, and milk (unless they have trouble digesting milk). Avoid fatty and sugary foods.
●Wash your and your child's hands often. Always wash hands before eating. It is especially important to wash your hands after changing your child's diaper. Help your child wash their hands after they use the toilet. This helps keep others healthy.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•You cannot wake your child.
•Your child passes out, seems very sleepy, or is breathing fast, and has 1 or more of these signs of severe fluid loss:
-Their skin is mottled and cool, and their hands and feet are blue.
-They do not urinate for over 24 hours.
-Their eyes or soft spot is sunken.
●Return to the ED if your child:
•Cannot keep fluids down, has not had anything to drink in many hours, and has 1 or more of these:
-Your child is not as alert as usual, is very sleepy, or is much less active.
-Your child is crying all the time.
-Your baby has not had a wet diaper for over 8 hours.
-Your older child has not urinated for over 12 hours.
-Your child's skin is cool.
•Has very bad nausea
•Has pain in the right lower part of their belly
•Has blood or mucus in their bowel movements
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your child is having trouble feeding normally.
●Your child has a dry mouth.
●Your child has few or no tears when they cry.
●Your child's urine is dark.
●Your child is less active than normal.
●Your child has constant belly pain.
●Your child has diarrhea that lasts longer than 10 days.
●Your child has a fever that lasts longer than 3 days.
●Your child has new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Diarrhea in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Acute diarrhea in children (Beyond the Basics)
