Nausea and Vomiting in Children 4 Years and Older: Care Instructions

Overview

Most of the time, nausea and vomiting in children is not serious. It usually is caused by a mild stomach infection. A child with a stomach infection also may have other symptoms, such as diarrhea, fever, and belly cramps. With home treatment, the vomiting usually will stop within 12 hours. Diarrhea may last for a few days or more.

Younger children may not be able to tell you when they feel sick to their stomach or feel nauseated. In most cases, home treatment will help the nausea and vomiting.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Watch for and treat symptoms of dehydration, which means the body has lost too much water. Symptoms of dehydration include dry eyes and a dry mouth, passing only a little urine, and feeling thirstier than usual.
• Offer your child small sips of water. Let your child drink as much as they want.
• Ask your doctor if you need to use an oral rehydration solution (ORS) such as Pedialyte or Infalyte. These drinks contain a mix of salt, sugar, and minerals. You can buy them at drugstores or grocery stores. Avoid orange juice, grapefruit juice, tomato juice, and lemonade.
• Have your child rest until they feel better.
• Slowly start to offer your child regular foods after 8 hours with no vomiting.
  • Allow your child to eat small amounts of what they prefer.
  • Avoid high fat foods, spicy foods, and foods with a lot of sugar.
• Do not give your child over-the-counter antidiarrhea or upset-stomach medicines without talking to your doctor first. Pepto-Bismol or other medicines may contain salicylates, a form of aspirin. Do not give aspirin to children. Aspirin has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• Your child is very sick or is hard to wake up.

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• Your child is getting sicker.
• Your child has new or worse belly pain.
• Your child has symptoms of dehydration, which include:
  • Dry eyes and a dry mouth.
  • Passing only a little urine.
  • Feeling thirstier than usual.
• Your child vomits blood or what looks like coffee grounds.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• Your child does not get better as expected.