How long does diarrhea last in a baby?
Applies to age: 0–12 months
In short
Diarrhea usually stops within 5–7 days. Diarrhea lasting more than 7 days and worry about a baby under 12 months need an urgent medical assessment; vomiting or diarrhea is a reason to contact night and holiday care (NiŚOZ).
What is normal
All claims: international norm
- Diarrhea usually stops within 5–7 days (in adults and children).
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
diarrhoea usually stops within 5 to 7 days
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-14 · license [1]
- Diarrhea and vomiting are often caused by a stomach infection and usually stop within a few days.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
They're often caused by a stomach bug and should stop in a few days.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-14 · license [1]
ER / 112 (Poland)
Some claims: international norm
Immediate medical help needed: international norm
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain needs immediate medical help.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
have a sudden, severe tummy ache
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-14 · license [1]
- When life or health is at risk, call 112 (the emergency number in Poland) or 999 (the ambulance number in Poland).
Source: NFZ i Akademia NFZ – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Zadzwoń na 112 lub 999, jeśli zagrożone jest życie lub zdrowie.
NFZ i Akademia NFZ · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-14 · license [2]
See a doctor
Some claims: international norm
Urgent medical assessment needed: international norm
- Diarrhea lasting more than 7 days or vomiting lasting more than 2 days needs an urgent medical assessment.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
you or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-14 · license [1]
- Worry about a baby under 12 months with diarrhea or vomiting needs an urgent medical assessment.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
you're worried about a baby under 12 months
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-14 · license [1]
- Signs of dehydration in a child under 5 years, e.g. fewer wet diapers, need an urgent medical assessment.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
a child under 5 years has signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-14 · license [1]
- Refusing to nurse or take a bottle during illness needs an urgent medical assessment.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they're ill
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-14 · license [1]
- Bloody diarrhea or bleeding from the anus needs an urgent medical assessment.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-14 · license [1]
- Vomiting or diarrhea, especially in children, is a reason to see the doctor on duty at night and holiday care (NiŚOZ).
Source: NFZ i Akademia NFZ – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
pojawią się wymioty lub biegunka (szczególnie u dzieci i seniorów).
NFZ i Akademia NFZ · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-14 · license [2]
international norm “International norm” next to a section heading means its claims come from a non-Polish source, because no Polish source in our registry covers this topic. When this applies to only some of the claims, the foreign ones carry the same label next to their source.
Sources
- NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia)License: Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The summary is ours and is not attributed to the NHS.
- NFZ i Akademia NFZLicense: Treści NFZ – wykorzystanie ze wskazaniem źródła, bez obrotu komercyjnego. Source: NFZ i Akademia NFZ. Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original.