Q:My son is being tested for toddler diarrhoea.What can we do to help him?

A:Toddler diarrhoea is the most common cause of persistent diarrhoea in 1-5 year olds.The poo is often smelly,contains undigested food and can be watery,and children can do up to 10 poos a day.Apart from the inconvenience,diarrhoea is usually harmless and can be improved with diet changes.
   Tots with diarrhoea often have a low fat diet.While this is good for adults,children need fat.Try swapping to full fat cow's milk and full fat yogurt and cheese.Stick with the normal amount of vegetables and some fruits,and offer wholemeal bread to boost his fibre intake.Apple juice can be culprit,so cut this out for a while,along with other fruit juices.Avoid fruit squash and fizzy drinks,as the extra sugar won't help.Stick to milk and plenty of water for drinks.