Diet For Vomiting, With or Without Diarrhea (Child Under 2 Years)

When your child is vomiting

To treat vomiting and prevent too much fluid loss (dehydration), give your child small amounts of fluids often. To do this:

• Start with an oral rehydration solution (ORS). You can buy this at drugstores and most grocery stores. No prescription is needed. Give your child 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2.5 to 5 mL) every 1 to 2 minutes. Even if vomiting occurs, keep giving this solution as directed. A lot of the fluid will still be absorbed.

• As your child starts to vomit less often, give larger amounts of ORS. Wait for a longer time in between these doses. Keep doing this until your child is making urine and doesn’t want to drink.

• Your child may be thirsty and want to drink faster. If your child is still vomiting, give fluids only at the prescribed rate. You should not fill the stomach with each feeding. This will cause more vomiting.

• Don't give your child plain water, milk, formula, or other liquids until vomiting stops. Don't give your child juices with high fructose. They can irritate the stomach and cause your child to keep vomiting.  

• If your child keeps vomiting often for more than 2 hours after trying this method, call your child’s healthcare provider.

After vomiting stops

If your child has not vomited in 2 hours, you can start to give other fluids.

If your child is breastfed or bottle fed:

• Give normal breast or formula feedings.

• Keep doing this unless the healthcare provider gives you other instructions.

If your child is on solid food (over 1 year old):

• After 2 hours with no vomiting, start to give small amounts of milk or formula and other fluids. Increase the amount as long as your child does not vomit.

• Give your child other clear liquids, such as ice pops and gelatin water. To make gelatin water, put 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of flavored gelatin into 4 ounces of water.

• After 12 to 24 hours with no vomiting, slowly go back to a normal diet if your child can handle it.