Vomiting in Children
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms that can be caused by many different illnesses. Usually, it is a stomach or intestinal virus that can produce fever, stomachaches, vomiting and diarrhea. During these symptoms, the most important thing is to make sure you child can take in and hold down fluids. Solid foods are not important.
For vomiting, we recommend:
- Give nothing by mouth for 1-2 hours after the last episode of vomiting.
- Start with one teaspoon of clear liquid every 20 minutes for 1 hour, one tablespoon every 20 minutes for 2nd hour, and an inch of fluid in a small cup every 20 minutes for the 3rd hour. If tolerated, you may offer gradually increasing amounts. If there is no improvement (if the child continues to vomit even the one teaspoon of liquid several times), contact the doctor for further advice.
- Clear Fluid Recommendations: For children less than 1 year old, we would recommend Pedialyte (available in drug stores and supermarkets). If breastfeeding, breastmilk should be offered first. Older children may use flat, room temperature, caffeine-free sodas (e.g. Sprite or ginger ale), G2 gatorade, or Pedialyte.
- Do not use milk, juice or plain water.
- Continue only clear liquids for 12-24 hours (includes soup broth, jello and popsicles); then add a bland diet of bananas, rice, applesauce, plain baked potato, plain pasta, toast and crackers.
- Milk products and other heavier foods may be introduced gradually after the third day.
- If at any point during advancement of the diet your child vomits again, wait 1-2 hours and go back to step 1.