What causes vomiting?

When your child throws up, it is often caused by a virus. Your child may also have watery bowel movements (diarrhea). Most of the time, vomiting stops in 6 to 24 hours. The diarrhea may keep going for a day or 2 more.

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How can I take care of my child?

1. Give clear fluids for 8 hours.Give 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of clear fluid every 10 minutes. After 4 hours, double the amount each hour.

   • For babies under 1 year old. Give your baby a clear fluid drink like Pedialyte or Kao Lectrolyte. These drinks help give your baby important minerals that can be lost when throwing up and sick.

   • For babies over 1 year old. The best clear fluid is water or ice chips.

   • For children over 2 years old. Give your child water or ice chips. You can also give your child flat, lemon-lime soda. Make a drink of half water and half soda.

2. Give bland foods 8 hours after your child stops throwing up.

   • Babies who eat sold food can have applesauce, strained bananas and rice cereal.

   • Other children can have saltine crackers, bland soups and mashed potatoes, or honey on white bread.

   • Give the bland foods for 24 hours.

3. Do not give medicine your child doesn't need. Do not give any medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

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Call your child's doctor right away if:

• Your child shows signs of not getting enough fluids:

  • Your child does not urinate (pee) in 8 hours.

  • Your child has a very dry mouth.

  • Your child has no tears when he cries.

• Your child starts to act very sick.

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Call your doctor during office hours if:

• Your child is under age 2 and throws up for more than 24 hours.

• Your child is over age 2 and throws up for more that 48 hours.

• You have other concerns or questions.

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Published by McKesson Clinical Reference Systems

Copyright © 1986-2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC.

All rights reserved.

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