- Knowledgebase: Vomiting and Diarrhea Questions
- Questions about the management of Vomiting and Diarrhea.
- 3. If my child has vomiting or diarrhea, what should I do for this? - Top
- Most cases of vomiting and diarrhea in children are due to viruses and are self-limited. In those cases there are no medications to kill the virus and our goal is to get them through the illness without complications, the main one being dehydration. The injured gastrointestinal system should be pampered with easy to digest items but provided with adequate calories and fluids. The first 6 to 12 hours should be clear fluids (preferably with sugar and electrolytes such as Pedialyte) in small, frequent volumes. We generally recommend as little as 1 teaspoon to 1 ounce per hour until this is tolerated, then a gradual increase in volume. After that solids can be introduced slowly, also in small volumes initially. Easy to digest items with adequate nutritional value for the GI system to heal itself include: toast, bananas, rice, applesauce, pears, noodles, baked potatoes. Dairy products which are difficult to digest should be avoided for 48 - 72 hours.
If your child continues to vomit, has reduced urine or no urine for 10 - 12 hours, or is lethargic, you should contact your physician.
- Updated: March 22, 2001
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