Nausea in Children

Nausea is the feeling of having an upset stomach or having to vomit. Nausea on its own is not usually a serious concern, but it may be an early sign of a more serious medical problem.

As nausea gets worse, it can lead to vomiting. If vomiting develops, or if your child does not want to drink fluids, your child is at risk of becoming dehydrated. Dehydration can make your child tired and thirsty, cause him or her to have a dry mouth, and decrease how often he or she urinates. The main goals of treating your child’s nausea are:

• To limit repeated nausea episodes.
• To prevent vomiting and dehydration.

Follow these instructions at home:

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

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 do this often 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.
• Avoid giving your child fluids that contain a lot of sugar or caffeine, such as sports drinks and soda.
• Have your child eat small amounts of food at a time.
• Continue your child’s regular diet, but avoid spicy or fatty foods, such as french fries or pizza.

General instructions

• Have your child drink enough fluids to keep his or her urine pale yellow.
• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Have your child breathe slowly and deeply while nauseated.
• Watch your child’s condition for any changes.
• 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’s nausea does not get better after two days.
• Your child will not drink fluids or cannot keep fluids down.
• Your child feels light-headed or dizzy.
• Your child has a fever.

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 (fontanel) 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 starts to vomit, and the vomiting lasts more than 24 hours.
• Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.