ORS Alternatives

If there is no ORS solution in the house, then your first option should be to try and prepare an ORS solution at home, which is very simple. You will require:

• 1 liter water
• 6 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

In a liter of clean water, add 6 teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt and mix it well. When salt and sugar dissolve well in water, pour it into a bottle. Give sips of this solution to the child throughout the day.

(Read More: Difference Between ORS and Electral Powder)

Mother's milk or milk-related products are more effective and beneficial for a child below six months of age. Children above the age of six months should be fed something once in a while if there is a complaint of diarrhea and there is no ORS solution. There is no specific diet plan for diarrhea, but BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Apple Chutney, Toast) is considered a good option. Although, doctors do not usually recommend taking the BRAT diet to all patients.

During diarrhea, you can feed some of the following things to babies:

• Smooth peanut butter
• Boiled potatoes
• Chicken and turkey

Apart from this, there are some other food options that may be better, such as:

Banana

Bananas are a good source of fiber, potassium and pectin. It is very soft and easily digestible. As electrolytes are lost when diarrhea occurs, bananas prevent constipation, help absorb liquid in the intestines and can compensate for electrolyte deficiencies.

(Read more: Ayurvedic medicine for diarrhea)

Rice water

Children should be given rice water in case of diarrhea as it is very effective and suitable. It relieves the problem of dehydration of the body. It is also helpful in reducing the time duration that diarrhea would last.

Buttermilk or yogurt

Yogurt and buttermilk contain probiotics, which make good bacteria in the stomach. This can relieve stomach-related problems. According to some research, probiotics have the ability to eliminate diarrhea caused by infection within a day or two. It proves beneficial only for children older than seven months of age.

(Read more: Homeopathic treatment for diarrhea)

Change in diet

If your baby is very young and you breastfeed the baby and they often suffer from diarrhea, you need to consume light foods in your diet for a few days. If you have consumed very spicy food and sweets, then it can also affect your breast milk, which can cause problems in your baby's stomach and may also lead to diarrhea.

(Read more: How to breastfeed)

Children suffering from diarrhea should drink plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking fluids is also very important to get rid of diarrhea. Due to frequent diarrhea, there is a lack of minerals and electrolytes in the body. To replenish these, fluids containing minerals and electrolytes should be consumed, such as:

• Soup
• Coconut water
• Electrolyte water
• Sports drink

(Read more: When should ORS solution be taken?)

If your child is suffering from diarrhea, do not let them eat any of the following foods as they may worsen the problem instead of helping relieve it:

• Fattening or fried foods
• Raw fruits and vegetables
• Spicy food
• Caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and soda
• Legumes
• Cabbage

You can keep your child hydrated at home during diarrhea. But in some rare cases, the diarrhea may last longer than usual and if the child does not get relief from diarrhea even after 24 hours, immediately contacting the pediatrician is the best option.