The BRAT diet is used to treat diarrhea in children who eat solid foods. Diarrhea in children and babies has many causes, including illness, infection, and food sensitivity. Diarrhea may be caused or worsened by what the child eats or drinks. Changing the diet may help.
BRAT stands for:
Bananas
Rice (or other starchy food)
Applesauce
Toast
These foods are low in fiber. Other foods like this are crackers, cooked cereals, and pasta.
In addition to these foods, give babies and children lots of clear fluids for the first 24 to 72 hours. Give babies under 1 year of age Kao Lectrolyte or Pedialyte. For children older than 1 year, give water, diluted Kool-Aid or diluted Gatorade as the main fluids. Fluid is very important because it is easy for a child with diarrhea to become dehydrated. Dehydration is very serious in babies and young children.
As stools become more formed, your child can return to a normal diet. Slowly begin adding other types of food. Foods high in fiber such as raw fruits and vegetables, should be added last.