Diarrhoea (Loose Motions) in Children — Causes, ORS, Home Care and When to Rush to Hospital

Dr. Sandip Gupta

This video covers why children get diarrhoea, what counts as diarrhoea, its complications, home treatment, and when hospital care is needed. Why it happens: The most common cause is contaminated food or water — germs, bacteria or viruses that infect the intestines and damage them, so water leaks out instead of being absorbed, causing repeated watery motions; repeated passing can also chafe the child's bottom. In small children, picking up anything from the floor and putting it in the mouth is another common route of infection, so keep home surfaces clean if there are small children around. Definition of diarrhoea: For children above 6 months, diarrhoea means passing watery loose motion more than three times a day. For children under 6 months, especially those exclusively breastfed, passing thin, semi-solid motion seven to eight times a day is normal — so frequency alone is not a reliable sign in this age group; look at the consistency and quality of the motion instead, and it's better to check with your pediatrician rather than self-judge. Complications of loose motion: Dehydration from fluid loss, which can affect the kidneys and reduce urine output — a serious problem. Poor digestion and absorption, leading to weakness. Diaper rash in the potty area from repeated passing, causing pain and distress. Home care: ORS is the WHO-recommended best treatment. ORS comes in two sachet sizes with the same standard composition, sold under brand names like Electral. The larger sachet (about 22 g) is dissolved in 1 litre of water; the smaller sachet (4.4 g) is dissolved in 200 ml of water. Dose by age, after each loose motion: 2 months–2 years: 50–100 ml; 2–10 years: 100–200 ml; above 10 years: 200 ml, or more if the child wants and can drink it. If there are already signs of dehydration, don't manage it entirely at home — consult your pediatrician for the correct ORS quantity and other medicines. Under 6 months with loose motions: feed as much breast milk as possible and consult a doctor, since immunity is weaker at this age. If the child doesn't like the taste of ORS, other oral rehydration options can be used: coconut water with a pinch of salt, dal water, rice water, nimbu pani, or salted lassi — all with a little salt, since salt helps the body absorb water properly. Plain water alone is not absorbed as well. Homemade ORS, for situations like night-time diarrhoea when you can't buy a sachet: dissolve 6 teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt in 1 litre of water — this approximates standard WHO ORS composition; use it until you can get standard ORS. Zinc. Zinc helps heal the intestine, reduces the volume of each loose motion and the number of episodes. It is a WHO-recommended, effective medicine, generally given for 10 to 14 days as prescribed by your pediatrician — continue for the full prescribed duration even if the loose motions stop earlier. Probiotics (good bacteria) can also be used during loose motions to protect the intestine from bad bacteria — take these only on a doctor's prescription. Antibiotics: Diarrhoea is often caused by viral infection, and antibiotics are usually not needed. Never buy and give an antibiotic from a pharmacy yourself for loose motions — use it only on a doctor's prescription. Home treatment can rely on ORS, zinc and probiotics. When to go to hospital / emergency: Signs of dehydration needing urgent hospital care include a dry mouth, no tears when crying, reduced urination (no urine in 6 hours), skin wrinkling, lethargy, or repeated vomiting. High fever along with diarrhoea is also a warning sign. IV fluids are sometimes needed for dehydration. If the child is not drinking, not eating, or has become very lethargic, take them to hospital immediately. Preventing repeated loose motions: Keep utensils clean, wash hands before and after eating and after using the bathroom, and boil drinking water if the child keeps getting loose motions repeatedly. Wash hands with soap after changing diapers or cleaning up potty. Can milk continue during loose motions? Under 6 months, continue breast milk regardless. Above 6 months on breast milk, or cow milk for children above 1 year, there is no need to stop milk if the diarrhoea is less than 14 days. Milk should only be stopped, on your doctor's advice, if diarrhoea lasts more than 14 days or if there is diagnosed lactose intolerance. The doctor references an Indian Academy of Pediatrics guideline on diarrhoea, linked in the description. Relevant for: parents whose child has loose motions or diarrhoea and want to know the cause; parents asking how many times a day counts as diarrhoea, especially in babies under 6 months; parents asking how much ORS to give and how often; parents whose child dislikes the taste of ORS and want alternatives; parents wanting to make homemade ORS in an emergency; parents asking about zinc and probiotic use in diarrhoea; parents asking whether antibiotics are needed for loose motions; parents worried about signs of dehydration and when to go to hospital; parents asking whether milk should be stopped during diarrhoea; and parents wanting to prevent recurring diarrhoea through hygiene. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician for the correct dose of ORS, zinc, probiotics or any medicine, and seek immediate medical attention if your child shows signs of dehydration, repeated vomiting, high fever, or has diarrhoea lasting more than 14 days.