Toddlers vomit for a many reasons, most of which aren't serious. The most common cause of vomiting in toddlers is gastroenteritis, also called "stomach flu," which may happen due to a virus in the gastrointestinal tract, according to KidsHealth from the Nemours Foundation. However, less serious causes of vomiting can cause problems such as dehydration and some cases of vomiting are more serious. As a result, you should keep your doctor's number readily available and take steps to keep your toddler as safe and comfortable as possible in the mean time.
Step 1
Observe your toddler's vomiting. If he vomits once, he may have overeaten at his last meal or he might have cried so fervently that he upset his stomach, notes BabyCenter.com. In these cases, you have no reason to worry. If he's in the car when he gets sick, he may have motion sickness. However, if he continues vomiting, he may have an infection or he might have unintentionally consumed a poisonous substance.
Step 2
Call your pediatrician if you are concerned about your toddler's vomiting frequency or any other symptoms. Your toddler may need medical intervention if she: has vomited for over 24 hours, has a fever, shows signs of dehydration such as crying without tears and decreased urination, seems fatigued, has small amounts of blood in her vomit or has a fever of more than 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit, according to BabyCenter.com.
Step 3
Ask your pediatrician about medication. If your toddler continues to vomit, he won't be able to keep down any oral medication. The pediatrician may recommend giving your toddler acetaminophen rectally to bring down a fever or suggest a rectally-administered anti-nausea medicine to suppress your child's vomiting, according to children's health website AskDrSears.com.
Step 4
Give your toddler clear liquids when she's stopped vomiting for a couple of hours. Start with 2 tsp. to 2 tbsp. of clear liquids such as water, ice chips or oral electrolyte solutions every 15 minutes. If your toddler vomits again, start all over again with a smaller amount of fluid until she can keep it down.
Step 5
Feed him some bland foods once he has stopped vomiting for about eight hours. Start gradually and let your child tell you when he is hungry enough for food. Foods he might be able to keep down include: saltine crackers, broths, toast, rice and mashed potatoes, suggests Nemours. If he vomits up his food, go back to giving him clear fluids until he stops vomiting again. Resume his regular diet if he has stopped vomiting for 24 hours, but wait at least two days before you let him have any dairy.
Things You'll Need
- Clear fluids
- Bland foods
