Get clear, parent-friendly steps for how to care for child vomiting and diarrhea at home, including when to give fluids, what to feed next, and when symptoms may need medical care.
Tell us what is happening with your child’s vomiting and diarrhea, and we’ll help you focus on hydration, home care, feeding, and signs that mean it’s time to call a doctor.
When a child has vomiting with diarrhea, the main goal is to prevent dehydration while letting the stomach settle. Start with small, frequent sips of fluid rather than large drinks. If vomiting just happened, wait a short time, then try tiny amounts again. Keep an eye on energy level, urination, tears, and mouth moisture. Many children improve with careful home care, but ongoing vomiting, worsening diarrhea, or trouble keeping fluids down can mean they need medical advice.
Offer very small sips every few minutes instead of a full cup at once. This is often the best way to keep child hydrated with vomiting and diarrhea.
An oral rehydration solution is usually the best choice for vomiting and diarrhea in kids. Avoid sugary drinks if they seem to make diarrhea worse.
Call your child’s doctor if you notice very little urine, no tears, dry mouth, unusual sleepiness, or your child cannot keep fluids down.
If your child vomits, pause briefly, then restart with tiny sips. Knowing when to give fluids for vomiting and diarrhea in kids can make home care more successful.
Once fluids stay down, slowly increase the amount. If your child is hungry, offer simple foods in small portions rather than pushing a full meal.
Good options after vomiting and diarrhea may include crackers, toast, rice, applesauce, bananas, noodles, or other bland foods your child tolerates well.
If your child continues vomiting repeatedly and cannot keep even small sips down, home care may not be enough.
Frequent diarrhea can quickly lead to fluid loss, especially in babies and toddlers. Extra caution is needed for younger children.
If you are not sure what to give at home, whether symptoms fit a stomach bug, or when to call a doctor, getting personalized guidance can help you decide next steps.
Focus on hydration first. Give small, frequent sips of an oral rehydration solution, restart slowly after vomiting, and offer simple foods once fluids stay down. Watch closely for signs of dehydration or worsening symptoms.
Once your child is keeping fluids down, offer small amounts of bland, easy-to-digest foods such as toast, crackers, rice, applesauce, bananas, or noodles. Avoid forcing food if your child is not ready.
Use tiny sips every few minutes rather than large drinks. Oral rehydration solution is often the best option. If your child vomits again, wait a short time and restart with even smaller amounts.
Call if your child shows signs of dehydration, cannot keep fluids down, has worsening sleepiness, severe belly pain, blood in vomit or stool, or if you are worried symptoms are getting worse instead of better.
Answer a few questions to receive personalized guidance on home care, fluids, feeding, and when it may be time to contact a doctor.
Answer a Few QuestionsExplore more assessments in this topic group.
See related assessments across this category.
Find more parenting assessments by category and topic.
Home Care For Vomiting
Home Care For Vomiting
Home Care For Vomiting
Home Care For Vomiting