Vomiting is quite common in childhood, usually as part of gastroenteritis (stomach flu). Vomiting usually lasts one to three days, and may be accompanied by fever and diarrhea. The main concern with vomiting is that children are more susceptible to dehydration than adults. It is much easier to prevent dehydration than to treat it; treating it sometimes involves a stay in the hospital for intravenous fluids. To prevent this from happening, keep your child from getting dehydrated in the first place. If your child has thrown up more than one or two times, it is best to stop giving any milk or solid foods. Wait about an hour, then start offering very small amounts of clear liquid (Pedialyte®, Gatorade, apple or white grape juice, or flat coke or 7-Up) every 15 to 20 minutes for the next few hours.
Once your child has been able to keep that fluid down without vomiting, then start offering larger amounts, about two ounces. Do not offer milk or food until your child can keep down clear liquids, even if your child is complaining about being hungry – if you do, your child will likely throw it and all the clear liquids up. Do not continue an all clear liquid diet for more than 24 hours without consulting the doctor. If your child has dark green or dark yellow vomit (bile), call the office. See the section on diarrhea for signs of dehydration.
Once your child has been able to keep that fluid down without vomiting, then start offering larger amounts, about two ounces. Do not offer milk or food until your child can keep down clear liquids, even if your child is complaining about being hungry – if you do, your child will likely throw it and all the clear liquids up. Do not continue an all clear liquid diet for more than 24 hours without consulting the doctor. If your child has dark green or dark yellow vomit (bile), call the office. See the section on diarrhea for signs of dehydration.
