Download the entire Caring for Children document in PDF format here.
- Asthma
- Bronchiolitis
- Chickenpox
- Colic
- Common Cold
- Constipation
- Cough
- Croup
- Diaper Rash
- Diarrhea
- Ear Infections
- Eye Infections
- Fever in Children
- Fifth Disease
- Fluoride
- Head Injuries
- Head Lice
- Immunizations
- Lead Poisonings
- Lyme Disease
- Nosebleeds
- Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
- Poisonings
- Scabies
- Sensitive Skin or Eczema
- Sore Throat/Strep Throat
- Thrush
- Vomiting
Caring for Children: Vomiting
The most common cause of vomiting in children is a viral infection of the intestinal tract. This vomiting usually lasts one to two days and may be accompanied by diarrhea and/or crampy abdominal pain. The goal of treatment is to maintain adequate water and salt balance in the body while the virus runs its course. Clear liquids are absorbed rapidly from the intestinal tract and are therefore recommended in the management of vomiting. Children under one year of age are more at risk for dehydration and salt imbalance problems. Formula fed infants should be offered a commercial oral rehydration solution such as Pedialyte or Infalyte. Breast fed infants can continue to breast feed. Older children may take any clear fluid such as water, fruit juice, Kool-aid, or soft drinks. Bubbles should be removed from soft drinks because they inflate the stomach and can worsen vomiting.
- Rest the stomach for twenty to thirty minutes after vomiting.
- Start slowly with clear liquids: 1/2 ounce every ten minutes. When the child has not vomited for two hours, gradually allow her to take larger amounts. After six to eight hours of not vomiting, you may offer bland, starchy foods. A common error is to allow as much fluid as the child wants rather than frequent small amounts. This frequently leads to continued vomiting.
- Medications should be avoided if possible. Call the office if your child is vomiting and normally takes a prescription medication. No medicine has been shown to stop the vomiting caused by an intestinal virus. Many "anti-vomiting" medications or suppositories have potentially serious side effects and should not be used unless prescribed by a physician.
Rarely, vomiting is an early sign of a more serious problem such as appendicitis, hepatitis (liver illness), meningitis (brain infection), and poisoning, intestinal blockage or urinary tract infection.
Contact the pediatrician if:
- Your child appears very ill. (Not very responsive to your voice, repeatedly refuses to drink, stiff neck, yellow color to eyes or skin.)
- There is blood in the vomitus. Fresh blood is red. Old blood looks like coffee grounds.
- There is a possibility of poisoning with medications, plants or foods.
- Abdominal pain is severe or persistent.
- There are signs of dehydration (listlessness, decreased urine output, no tears).
- The vomiting persists despite following the above recommendations.
- You have other concerns.
