How to Handle Vomiting and Diarrhea
A child with vomiting and diarrhea should always be seen in our office to evaluate the source of illness. However, if it is determined that your child is vomiting and having diarrhea due to a virus and she/he is safe to go home, there is a method of frequent small doses of fluids. This method will help acclimate your child’s gastrointestinal system to regular foods again. The purpose of this method is to break the vomiting cycle.
- Wait an hour and a half after the last vomiting episode
- Obtain Pedialyte® (the best rehydration fluid) and begin giving fluid as follows
- One teaspoon every 20 minutes for an hour then
- Two teaspoons every 20 minutes for the second hour then
- Three teaspoons every 20 minutes for the third hour then
- Four teaspoons every 20 minutes for the fourth hour then
- Five teaspoons every 20 minutes for the fifth hour then
- Six teaspoons every 20 minutes for the sixth hour - Wait at least three hours
- Give 3 ounces of Pedialyte at once
- Give 1 ½ ounce of formula with 1 ½ ounces of Pedialyte®
- Wait three hours
- Try 3 ounces of full formula
- Wait three hours
- Start small amounts of bland foods (rice, plain pasta, crackers) which will also help solidify the stool
- Do not return to their regular diet until at least two days after this re-feeding process has started.