When your child is vomiting, potential dehydration is a parent's primary concern, states the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP. Dehydration takes place when your child loses more liquid than she's able to take in, preventing her body from functioning normally. To replenish fluids lost from vomiting, your child needs adequate fluids to avoid a potentially serious or life-threatening condition.
Dehydration and Your Child
Children of all ages can get dehydrated during a rough bout with the virus, bacteria or parasite that causes vomiting and diarrhea. However, babies can become dehydrated extremely quickly, according to the AAFP. Most of the time, your child's doctor won't prescribe a medication for vomiting, states the American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP, nor is medication needed for the diarrhea that often accompanies a stomach bug. These may prevent your child's body from ridding itself of an infection, stresses the AAFP. Usually your child simply needs plenty of rest and relaxation at home, receiving a liquid diet for the first 12 to 24 hours while symptoms subside; however, if you think your child needs medication, contact his pediatrician for advice.
Preventing Dehydration in Children
Make sure a child over the age of 2 receives plenty of water or other clear liquids, advises the AAFP. Appropriate fluids may include chicken broth, apple juice, ginger ale or a sports drink. Plain water can be problematic, according to the AAFP, as it can lower the amount of salt or sugar in your child's blood.
Toddlers and Dehydration
If your child is under the age of 2 and you're concerned that vomiting may cause dehydration, the AAFP suggests asking her pediatrician if an oral rehydration solution, or ORS, is beneficial. According to the Mayo Clinic, an ORS contains water and salts in just the right amounts to make up for the fluids and electrolytes your child has lost. ORS can be purchased at markets and drugstores without a prescription and may be in powdered, liquid or popsicle form. Brands mentioned by the AAFP include Pedialyte, Rice-Lyte and Rehydralyte.
Dehydration in Babies
The AAFP stresses the importance of continued breast-feedings and bottle feedings to make sure that your baby gets adequate nutrition. Breast-feedings may be supplemented with ORS, according to the AAFP. If you're formula-feeding your infant, your baby's doctor may suggest alternating ORS and formula feedings for the first 12 to 24 hours to head off dehydration.
Other Tips
Your child should start back on "safe" solids after around 12 to 24 hours, according to the AAFP. Start with bland, tummy-friendly foods such as bananas, rice, toast, applesauce and cereals without added sugar. Foods to avoid including sugary or fatty foods, such as ice cream, pudding or anything fried. If your child's vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea, it may be best to avoid dairy foods for three to seven days. However, most children get back into regular eating habits three days after vomiting and diarrhea pass, reports the AAFP.
Severe Dehydration
If your vomiting child cannot hold down any liquids at all, contact a doctor immediately, cautions the AAP. Be on the lookout for signs of life-threatening dehydration. Severely dehydrated children may be extremely thirsty and complain of a dry mouth. Other symptoms of severe dehydration include fever, sunken eyes, lack of sweating, little or no urination, a fast heartbeat and, in the most extreme cases, delirium or unconsciousness, according to the Mayo Clinic.
