Make a rice or barley water formula by boiling 1/2 cup of brown rice or barley in 1 quart of spring water. Once the rice or barley is cooked, pour off the water and let your child drink it in small sips. This nourishing broth is widely used throughout the world.

If your child is vomiting in addition to having diarrhea, even a small sip of water may cause another upset. If vomiting occurs after your child takes water, wait one hour and then offer small chips of ice. If the vomiting reflex is not triggered by the ice, after an hour of calm has passed, offer more chips of ice or small sips of water. Or, as an alternative, try giving your child a teaspoon of Emetrol syrup or raw honey to settle her stomach.

Caution: Never give honey to a child less than one year old. Honey has been associated with infant botulism, which can be life threatening.

Do not offer your child food until she signals a readiness to eat. If your child is hungry, give her simple, easily digested foods.

Give your child slippery elm paste or umeboshi plum and kuzu root cream.

Give your child a Lactobacillus acidophilus or bifidus supplement.

Select and administer a suitable homeopathic remedy.

Prevention
To prevent bacteria and foreign substances from finding their way into your child's system, teach your child to wash her hands properly after going to the bathroom and before eating.

Try to eliminate any food allergies or sensitivities as a cause of diarrhea. Common allergens include citrus fruits, wheat, sugar, and dairy products.

If your child suffers repeated bouts of diarrhea, she may have a lactose intolerance. The absorption of lactose, or milk sugar, depends on the presence of the enzyme lactase. Most infants have adequate amounts of this enzyme, but older children and adults often don't produce enough of it to process lactose. As a result, they suffer from diarrhea, bloating, vague abdominal pain, gas, and indigestion when they consume dairy products. About 33 million people in the United States are lactose intolerant. The most effective treatment for this condition is to limit the intake of milk and dairy products, as well as processed food products that contain lactose as an ingredient.