Vomiting and Diarrhea In Small Children Under 6 Months

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Vomiting (throwing up) and diarrhea (frequent, watery bowel movements) are common problems in small children. Diarrhea can be dangerous if not treated properly. It drains water and salts from your child. If these are not replaced quickly, then your child can become dehydrated and may need to be hospitalized.

The following suggestions for home treatment are to protect your child by preventing dehydration.

Give your child an oral rehydration solution (ORS) such as Gastrolyte™, Pedialyte™, or Lytren™. These preparations contain the proper balance of water, salts (electrolytes) and sugar. These are available at any drug store.

If breast feeding If NOT breast feeding

for
diarrhea
continue to breast feed on demand and offer one of the
oral rehydrtion solutions such as Gastrolyte™, Pedialyte™
or Lytren™, 30-90 ml (1-3 oz) every hour.

if
your child is vomiting
give nothing by mouth for 30 minutes then feed smaller
amounts more frequently, then start breast milk on demand
or give one of the oral rehydration solutions such as Gastrolyte™,
Pedialyte™ or Lytren™, 15 ml (1 tablespoon) every
10-15 minutes to give 30-90 ml (1-3 oz) every hour.

for
diarrhea
continue your infant’s usual diet and give one of the
oral rehydration solution such as Gastrolyte™, Pedialyte™
or Lytren™ 30-90 ml (1-3 oz) every hour.

if
your child is vomiting
give nothing by mouth for 30 minutes then feed smaller
amounts more frequently, then start breast milk on demand
or give one of the oral rehydration solutions such as Gastrolyte™,
Pedialyte™ or Lytren™ 15 ml (1 tablespoon) every
10-15 minutes, to give 30-90 ml (1-3 oz) every hour.

If
your child refuses ORS by the cup or bottle, give this solution
using a medicine dropper or small spoon. If your child vomits
again, try again in 30 minutes.

Recovery (6-24 hours):

Keep giving the oral rehydration until the diarrhea is less often. When vomiting stops, start the child’s usual diet (formula or whole milk or food) in frequent feedinbs. Stools may increase at first.

It may take 7 to 10 days or longer for stools to become completely formed. This is part of the healing of the bowel.

Do not give over-the-counter medications to stop diarrhea. These will stop the body from getting rid of the infection.

Yes
No
Oral rehydration
solutions that have the right balance of water, salts and sugar.
 Soda, Kool-Aid,
Gatorade, fruit juice, Jello, sweetened tea, broth or rice water.
They are
available at drugstores. Be sure to mix Gastrolyte™ according
to the directions.		 These all
have the wrong amounts of water, sugar and salts and may
make the diarrhea worse!

When to Get Help:

  • if your child has diarrhea for 48 hours, and is less than 3 months of age
  • if your child is still vomiting after 4-6 hours
  • if there is a fever – temperature greater than 38.5 degrees C or 101.5 degrees F for longer than 2 days
  • if the diarrhea becomes much more frequent
  • if there is blood in the diarrhea or the stools are black
  • if the child appears sicker or dehydrated (lethargic, no tears when crying, small amount of urine (less than 4 wet diapers in 24 hours), inside of mouth is dry or sticky, eyes are sunken, sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on the infant’s head, or grayish skin)
If
the diarrhea or cramping lasts more than 5-7 days, then your
doctor may suggest lactose-free milk until the diarrhea improves.

Careful
handwashing after toileting or changing diapers will help
prevent the spread of infection to others.