Diet for Vomiting and Diarrhea (Child)
Vomiting and diarrhea are common in children. When this happens, a child can quickly become dehydrated. This means they lose too much water and minerals from their body. This can be serious. It can even be life-threatening. The body fluids must be replaced. This is done by giving small amounts of liquids often.
You may be told to give your child an oral rehydration solution. This drink can replace lost minerals called electrolytes. It can be used along with breast or bottle feedings. It may reduce vomiting and diarrhea. You can buy oral rehydration solution at grocery stores and drugstores. You don't need a prescription.
If a child has severe dehydration or vomiting, they may need to go to a hospital. They will then have IV (intravenous) fluids.
Giving liquids and food
For oral rehydration solution:
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Only use oral rehydration solution bought in a store. Don't make your own solution. This is very important. A homemade solution may not have the right amounts of ingredients that are needed.
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If vomiting or diarrhea gets better after 2 to 3 hours, you can stop the oral rehydration solution or as advised by your doctor. You can then give your child other clear liquids, such as water. They can suck on ice cubes. Don't give fluids with a lot of sugar. Don’t give juice or soda.
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Slowly increase the amount of clear liquids. You can alternate them with oral rehydration solution.
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If your child is a baby and you're breastfeeding, do so unless your doctor tells you to stop. If you feed formula to your baby, give oral rehydration solution in small amounts. Do this for a few hours. When the vomiting eases, you may restart the formula.
For solid foods:
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If desired and tolerated, your child may eat solid food.
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Your child can start solid food 12 to 24 hours after diarrhea or vomiting has stopped. Continue to give plenty of clear liquids.
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Don’t force your child to eat. Don’t feed your child large amounts at a time, even if they're hungry. This can make your child feel worse. You can give your child more food over time if they can tolerate it.
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If your child's symptoms come back, go back to a simple, soft diet and clear liquids.
Foods you can give include:
As your child feels better, you can try giving them lean meats and yogurt.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child’s doctor as advised. If a stool sample was taken or cultures were done, call for the results as instructed.
Call 911
Call 911 if your child has any of these signs or symptoms:
When to get medical care
Contact the doctor right away if your child has any of these:
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Belly (abdominal) pain that gets worse or is severe
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Constant lower right belly pain
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Repeated vomiting after the first 2 hours on liquids
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Occasional vomiting for more than 24 hours
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More than 8 diarrhea stools within 8 hours
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Severe diarrhea for more than 24 hours
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Blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
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Bloody stool or stool that looks black and tarry
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Drinking less fluid than usual or refusing to eat for more than a few hours in infants and for more than 8 hours in older children
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Dark urine or no urine for 4 to 6 hours in babies and young children, or 6 for 8 hours in older children, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, or dry mouth
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Fussiness or crying that can't be soothed
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Unusual drowsiness
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Severe headache or a headache when the child wakes up
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New rash
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Diarrhea that lasts more than 1 week on antibiotics
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A child age 2 or older who has a fever for more than 3 days
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Fever:
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Newborn to 3 months old. Temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
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Older infant or child. Fever higher than 102°F (39°C) once, or fever higher than 101°F (38.4°C) for more than 3 days
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Child of any age. Repeated fevers above 104°F (40°C)
Online Medical Reviewer:
Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Robyn Zercher FNP
Date Last Reviewed:
6/1/2025
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