Nausea and Vomiting in Children

Nausea is the feeling of having an upset stomach or having to vomit. As nausea gets worse, it can lead to vomiting. Vomiting occurs when stomach contents are thrown up and out the mouth.

Vomiting can make your child feel weak and cause him or her to become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause your child to be tired and thirsty, have a dry mouth, and urinate less frequently.

It is important to treat your child’s nausea and vomiting as told by your child’s health care provider.

Follow these instructions at home:

Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about how to care for your child at home.

Eating and drinking

Follow these recommendations as told by your child’s health care provider:

• Give your child an oral rehydration solution (ORS), if directed. This is a drink that is sold at pharmacies and retail stores.
• Encourage your child to drink clear fluids, such as water, low-calorie popsicles, and diluted fruit juice. Have your child drink slowly and in small amounts. Gradually increase the amount.
• Continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed your young child. Do this in small amounts and frequently. Gradually increase the amount. Do not give extra water to your infant.
• Encourage your child to eat soft foods in small amounts every 3–4 hours, if your child is eating solid food. Continue your child’s regular diet, but avoid spicy or fatty foods, such as french fries or pizza.
• Avoid giving your child fluids that contain a lot of sugar or caffeine, such as sports drinks and soda.

General instructions

• Make sure that you and your child wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Make sure that all people in your household wash their hands well and often.
• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Watch your child’s condition for any changes.
• Have your child breathe slowly and deeply while nauseated.
• Do not let your child lie down or bend over immediately after he or she eats.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child has a fever.
• Your child will not drink fluids or cannot keep fluids down.
• Your child’s nausea does not go away after two days.
• Your child feels lightheaded or dizzy.
• Your child has a headache.
• Your child has muscle cramps.

Get help right away if:

• You notice signs of dehydration in your child who is one year or younger, such as:
  • A sunken soft spot on his or her head.
  • No wet diapers in six hours.
  • Increased fussiness.
• You notice signs of dehydration in your child who is one year or older, such as:
  • No urine in 8–12 hours.
  • Cracked lips.
  • Not making tears while crying.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • Sleepiness.
  • Weakness.
• Your child’s vomiting lasts more than 24 hours.
• Your child’s vomit is bright red or looks like black coffee grounds.
• Your child has bloody or black stools or stools that look like tar.
• Your child has a severe headache, a stiff neck, or both.
• Your child has pain in the abdomen.
• Your child has difficulty breathing or is breathing very quickly.
• Your child’s heart is beating very quickly.
• Your child feels cold and clammy.
• Your child seems confused.
• Your child has pain when he or she urinates.
• Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.