Vomiting / Throwing Up- Home Suggestions

Important feeding advice for children of all ages

If your child vomits/throw ups once, give him/her a 2 hour break from food and fluids to allow the stomach to settle. If he/she vomits again, you must take action to avoid dehydration. Remember the key to caring for a vomiting/throwing up child is to give small amounts of liquid often. This will usually control the vomiting/throwing up. Use a medicine dropper, spoon or cup if it helps your child take the fluids. Give 1oz. every 20 to 30 minutes.

Many experts would advise that you immediately stop all food and fluids and give oral rehydration drinks such as Gastrolyte or Pedialyte until vomiting/throwing up stops. We agree that this is ideal to prevent dehydration, but many parents have found that the unpleasant taste of these liquids can make this difficult. You can add unsweetened drink crystals to help improve the taste. Some people make freeze-pops from this mixture for their kids to suck on when ill.

If the vomiting/throwing up and/or diarrhea is mild, we feel it is reasonable to start with clear fluids. This includes water, apple juice, pear juice, flattened ginger ale and popsicles. If there is diarrhea, make sure that you dilute the juices with an equal amount of water. If the vomiting/throwing up continues, then we suggest that you switch to the rehydration drinks. A clear fluid diet is only acceptable for 24 hours. After that period you should start using rehydration drinks.

If you are unable to get these fluids into your child and regular vomiting/throwing up and/or diarrhea continues for more than 4 hours, you should see a nurse/doctor. Children with both vomiting/throwing up and diarrhea must be watched closely for signs of dehydration (see above).

How much fluid should you give your child?

Age	1 Year and Under	1 - 2 Years	Over 2 Years
Amount	15 ml or 1 tbsp or 1/2 oz	30 ml or 2 tbsp or 1 oz	30-60 ml or 2-4 tbsp or 1-2 oz

After following these home suggestions, please answer the question below.

Is your child unable to drink fluids and has there been hourly vomiting/throwing up for more than4 hours?