He’s always got the trots

QMy 3-year-old son has two or three runny poos a day. My GP says it’s just toddler diarrhoea, but surely it’s not normal?

Arianna, Scarborough

ASo-called ‘toddler diarrhoea’ is normal, although it’s important to see your doctor to rule out other causes. No one’s sure why it happens – it could be that the child’s bowel simply isn’t able to cope with sugar, fibre and fluid.

It affects children aged 1-4 and usually stops by itself after that. It’s a nuisance, but isn’t serious and there’s no danger that it will affect his nutrition or growth.

There’s no treatment, although it might help to reduce sugar and fibre, not to overdo drinks, and to increase fat in food as this slows the bowel. A dietician will help.