Home Up Appointments Refill Rx Ask a Nurse

Vomiting

Children vomit with many illnesses. Most of them are due to viruses and will resolve on its own. If your child begins to vomit, keep him without intake for 2 hours, then offer clear liquids (without carbonation) at room temperature, in small amounts (1/2 to 1 ounce). Very gradually increase the amount of fluid the child takes. It is not unusual for the vomiting to last 6-24 hours. After 8 hours without vomiting you can start your child with bland foods like crackers, toast, Cheerios, etc. and gradually return to a normal diet as tolerated.

Clear fluids are:

  1. PedialyteŽ : Obtainable at pharmacies and grocers
  2. Gatorade : Dilute with water to ˝ strength
  3. Water: this should never be the sole liquid
  4. Ice chips
  5. Popsicles
  6. Clear apple juice: dilute half and half with water
  7. Flat soda pop: Ginger ale, 7-Up, Coca-Cola: dilute to half strength with water
  • You may not be able to stop the vomiting with clear fluids, but the goal is to prevent dehydration. If signs of dehydration develop (see below), call our office immediately. Medicines are rarely beneficial and often irritating to an upset stomach.
  • No citrus juices, no milk

Call our office immediately if:

  • Signs of dehydration occur:

    No tears when crying

    Your child's urine output has diminished significantly.

    Inside of mouth is dry and sticky to touch

    Eyes are sunken and the skin around the eyes is dark

    Significantly decreased activity or difficult to wake up or increased irritablility

  • Abdominal pain does not settle, persists for more than 4 hours
  • Vomiting lasts longer than 12 hours and child is under 6 months of age
  • Vomiting lasts longer than 24 hours and child is over 6 months of age