Prevention of diarrhea begins early in a baby’s life. Breastfeeding can reduce the future risk of diarrhea because breast milk contains ingredients that help lower the risk of infections and food allergies in babies. Older children can be taught to wash their hands frequently, especially before meals and after going to the bathroom. This can reduce the risk of becoming infected with certain types of bacteria or viruses. Parents are also urged to remind other caregivers to wash their hands before they prepare food for the child or after changing the child’s diaper.

A change in diet is one of the easiest ways to prevent diarrhea. Certain food products can aggravate or cause diarrhea, while others can help prevent it. Paying attention to what is consumed, limiting some choices while seeking out others, can help prevent diarrhea.

The first step is to avoid those foods or drinks that can cause diarrhea, such as:

• Fatty foods. A diet high in fats (e.g., fried foods, pastries, potato chips) can lead to absorption problems in the intestines, making stool soft and greasy.
  
  
• High-fiber foods. Fiber in foods such as bran, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables can add bulk and softness to stool, aggravating diarrhea.
  
  
• Caffeine. Products containing caffeine (e.g., soda) can stimulate the passage of stool through the intestines, causing insufficient fluid absorption and diarrhea.
  
  
• Dairy products. An inability to digest lactose in dairy products can increase the wateriness of stool and lead to diarrhea.
  
  
• Unpasteurized products. Products that are not pasteurized may contain bacteria that, once consumed, may cause diarrhea.

Parents of children will also want to gradually add foods or drinks to the child’s diet that can help prevent diarrhea. This includes soft, easily digested foods (e.g., soup, crackers) as well as low-fiber foods (e.g., rice, noodles, white bread, lean meats). The American Dietetic Association recommends the BRAT (banana, rice, applesauce, toast) diet to help prevent overstimulation of the intestines and to help reduce the frequency of bowel movements.

For chronic diarrhea caused by an underlying intestinal disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), specific dietary changes may be recommended.

Practicing good hygiene is another way to prevent diarrhea caused by bacterial or viral infection. Children who touch surfaces contaminated with infectious germs can become contaminated when biting their nails or inserting any part of their hands into their mouths. Therefore, it is crucial that children wash their hands with soap and water before eating, when preparing food and after using the bathroom.

Proper handling and storing of foods also can reduce the risk of infectious contamination that can lead to diarrhea. Parents are urged to wash a child’s fruits and vegetables before they are consumed, to wash kitchen counters and cooking utensils exposed to raw meat (particularly poultry) and to store meat in a refrigerated setting immediately after they are purchased. Cooking meat until it is no longer pink also helps kill germs.   

Parents are also urged to keep the feeding areas of pets separate from family eating areas, and to avoid washing the bowls or cages of pets in any sink that is used to prepare food for children.

Parents can also take steps to lower a child’s risk of infectious diarrhea when traveling, a condition known as traveler’s diarrhea. Children may receive antibiotics in advance from their physician, depending on the location and duration of travel. In addition, traveler’s diarrhea can be avoided by taking the following actions:

• Eat only hot, well-cooked foods. Avoid food that has been left at room temperature for long periods of time. Meat or shellfish should be hot when served and consumed – do not consume raw or rare meat or fish. Avoid food sold by street vendors.
  
  
• Avoid accidental exposure to contaminated water. Use bottled water when traveling. Avoid ice and tap water, even when brushing teeth, to avoid possible contaminants in the water. Do not let shower water get into the ears or mouth.
  
  
• Choose hot drinks or those in sealed containers. Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, as well as boiled water drinks are safe.
  
  
• Avoid raw fruits or vegetables, unless they can be peeled. Fruits or vegetables may have been rinsed with contaminated water.
  
  
• Avoid unpasteurized products. Milk, orange juice or other products that have not been pasteurized (heated during processing to eliminate bacteria), may cause diarrhea.