Most often, diarrhea and vomiting can be treated at home with careful management.
Vomiting:
- Do not offer any fluids until there is no vomiting for 2 hours. Offering fluids immediately after vomiting will only induce more vomiting.
- Offer only clear fluids, such as Pedialyte, flat Giner Ale or 1/2 strength Gatorade. If you are breast feeding, you may continue.
- Offer only small sips, 1 tablespoon or 1/2 ounce, every 15 minutes. If your child does not vomit after 2 hours, then increase to 2 tablespoons every 15 minutes for two hours. You may slowly increase the total amount of fluids to 2-4 ounces over a few hours. If the vomiting resumes, stop again until there is no vomiting for 2 hours and repeat again from the beginning.
- You may slowly return to a regular diet over the course of 24-28 hours.
- If the vomiting persists, or your child shows signs of dehydration (dry, sunken eyes, no urine, or lethargy), then please call the office.
Diarrhea:
- You may offer clear fluids such as Pedialyte, flat Giner Ale or 1/2 strength Gatorade. DO not offer fruit juices, dairy or full strength Gatorade.
- You may offer a BRAT Diet (Bananas - Rice - Applesauce - Toast) as well as chicken soup, bagel, cheerios and starchy foods.
- Diarrhea, and the accompanying abdominal cramping, may persist even as the illness resolves. Continue the diet until the diarrhea clears. As long as your child appears comfortable, there is no reason to be concerned.
If there are any concerns, please call the office.