Vomiting and diarrhea in kids: symptoms, treatment and concerns

Vomiting and diarrhea are common in children, and together they’re sometimes called gastroenteritis by your doctor or the “stomach flu” by others. 

This isn’t the real “flu” that’s caused by the influenza virus. 

Most of the time, vomiting and diarrhea is caused by a virus, which may also bring a fever, and will resolve on its own. 

In most cases, you can treat your child at home.

The biggest concern with vomiting and diarrhea in infants and children is the risk of dehydration. 

It’s fine if your child doesn’t want to eat during this time, but they need to keep drinking fluids, and fevers can often worsen dehydration. 

Some symptoms of dehydration include:

• Mild dehydration
  • Thirst and a slightly dry mouth
• Moderate or severe dehydration  
  • Decreased urination (more than six to eight hours between wet diapers or urine output)
  • No tears when crying
  • Dry mouth
  • Eyes that appear to be sunken

What to do when your child is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea?

Keep your child hydrated but be sure to take it slow. 

In gastroenteritis, passage through the stomach and upper intestine is slowed down. 

When your child gulps a large amount of fluid because they’re  thirsty, the fluid often stays in the stomach for a longer time and can cause nausea and vomiting.

The “trick” behind oral rehydration is to give your child very small amounts of fluid very frequently. 

This small amount is absorbed by the stomach lining and doesn’t lead to nausea.

You can almost always avoid a trip to the emergency room using this method.

For infants breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed them.

If your baby is vomiting, however, you may need to breastfeed more frequently. Start by breastfeeding every 30 minutes for only five minutes. 

If your baby does well with that schedule for two to three hours, resume normal feeding. 

If your baby doesn’t want to take breast milk, give five milliliters of Pedialyte or an oral rehydration solution every five minutes for a couple of hours, which is easiest to give with a syringe. 

If your baby tolerates this, try breastfeeding again but for only five minutes at a time.

If your infant takes formula, try giving five milliliters of Pedialyte or oral rehydration solution every five minutes for two to three hours, and give it with a syringe.

If your baby does well with that, restart regular formula, initially giving small amounts at a time.

You can also try mixing Pedialyte with formula if your baby tolerates this better.

And don’t forget about skin care: wash your baby’s bottom often in the sink or tub to clean it well and allow your baby’s bottom to air dry completely as well. 

Then, apply a barrier cream (Vaseline, Desitin, A&D, etc.) to your baby’s bottom with every diaper change to protect the skin.

Give your child one teaspoon (five milliliters) of fluid every five minutes in a small cup or syringe. 

If you give your child a cup of fluid and tell them to “sip,” so they don’t drink too much too fast. 

Give them clear liquids only, like Pedialyte or an oral rehydration solution, which contain the appropriate number of electrolytes (salts) to keep their sugar and salt levels in a normal range.

If your child doesn’t like the taste, mix it with a small amount of juice or drink flavoring.

You can also give sports drinks to older children, dilute them with water as the high sugar content can worsen diarrhea. 

You can also give occasional popsicles or Jell-O if your child will eat them.

If your child vomits, take a break for 30 minutes and start again. 

Once eight hours without vomiting has passed, they can slowly return to a regular (bland) diet. 

Avoid high fat foods right away. 

If your child has a fever and can’t keep down Tylenol or Motrin, you can use a rectal suppository, such as Feverall.

Call your pediatrician or seek medical attention right away if you’re worried or if:

• Your infant is under three months of age and has a fever or has vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Your child has signs of dehydration: no urine in over eight hours, no tears, dry mouth, etc.
• Your child has been vomiting for more than 48 hours
• Your child is vomiting blood
• Your child’s stools contain blood
• Your child is acting confused or is difficult to wake
• Your child is immunocompromised or has other chronic health problems