Vomiting and diarrhea (frequent, watery stools) are common symptoms in children that are usually caused by a viral infection.
Children can have both vomiting and diarrhea at the same time, or just one of the two.
The virus that causes these symptoms is extremely contagious.
Most children improve on their own and do not require any special care. The most important thing is that your child stays hydrated.
Key Points
Vomiting and diarrhea are very common in children and can occur at any time of year.
A viral infection is the most common cause.
The best way to care for your child is to keep them comfortable – keep fevers under control and encourage them to drink and eat.
Antibiotics are rarely used to treat these symptoms
Symptoms
General:
Cramping pain in the area of the belly button
Heat
Decreased energy and sleeping more
Loss of appetite
Vomiting:
Frequent vomiting, especially after eating or drinking
Feeling nauseous or gagging
Mild stomach pains, particularly just before or after vomiting
Diarrhea:
Large, watery stools occur frequently.
Mild stomach cramps, especially right before they stool and usually improved after a bowel movement
Dehydration:
Mild:
Normal activity level and behavior
Moist mouth (inside of cheeks, saliva)
Tears with crying
Peeing smaller amounts but at least this often:
3 to 5 months – wet diaper every 3 hours
6 to 23 months – wet diaper every 6 hours
24 months and older – wet diaper every 8 hours
Moderate:
Decreased activity level – playing less and wanting to sleep more
Moist mouth (inside of cheeks, saliva)
Less tears when crying
Peeing less often:
3 to 5 months – dry diaper for more than 3 hours
6 to 23 months – dry diaper for more than 6 hours
24 months and older – no pee in more than 8 hours
Severe:
Pale, cool skin
Very sleepy, hard to wake up and not responding normally
Dry mouth, lips and tongue
No tears when crying
Peeing less often:
3 to 5 months – dry diaper for more than 3 hours
6 to 23 months – dry diaper for more than 6 hours
24 months and older – no pee in more than 8 hours
Treatment
Hand washing is the most effective approach to prevent the spread of vomiting and diarrhea. The most crucial thing to do after activities like changing diapers or going to the bathroom, as well as before handling or preparing food, is to wash your hands.
Hydration
Make sure your youngster is getting enough water at all times. Continue to feed your child breast milk or formula if he or she is 3 to 12 months old. Water, milk, or diluted fruit juice may be given to your child if he or she is over the age of 12 months (1 part juice to 2 parts water). You can serve 60 to 90mL (2 to 3 ounces) of water with meals if your kid is under 12 months old and drinks from a cup.
Make sure that the amount of water your baby drinks does not replace the amount of milk he or she consumes. You can also serve the same amount of liquids with meals if your child is older than 12 months.
Even if your child is vomiting, continue to give them fluids for 3 to 4 minutes after they have vomited. If they keep vomiting, give them smaller amounts of fluids more frequently than before.
Foods
• Continue to feed your child their regular diet, in smaller amounts. If less than 6 months old, your child should only consume breast milk or formula
• If your child is 6 to 12 months old, normal foods include breastmilk and formula, as well as infant cereal, toast, cereals, rice, pasta, potatoes, crackers, lean meat, egg yolk, yoghurt, fruits, and vegetables. A mix of breastmilk/formula with the foods above often helps the child get better sooner
• If your child is over 12 months old, normal foods to give include soup, bread, toast, cereals, rice, pasta, crackers, potatoes, lean meat, milk, eggs, cheese, yoghurt, fruit, and vegetables
• Do not give your child high sugar foods or fatty/greasy foods, such as candy, jell-o, French fries, or gravy
Medicine
• Continue to give any medication your child normally takes. Speak with your doctor if your child can not keep down these prescription medications
• Vomiting and diarrhea are usually caused by viruses, therefore antibiotics are not needed. They will not help your child get better, and may actually harm your child
Please Note
The content provided on these pages is not intended to replace medical advice . if you have concerns about the health of your child , contact your health directly . if your child has an emergency department or call 911 .