When your child has gastroenteritis, commonly called stomach flu, it is no fun. Vomiting and diarrhea are uncomfortable for her and messy for you to clean up. But worse than that, they can lead to dehydration, which when severe enough might require hospitalization. Follow these dietary guidelines when your child is recovering from the flu, but stay in close contact with her pediatrician to ensure her health and safety.
Until Vomiting Stops
If your child is still vomiting, his stomach needs to rest. Do not feed him anything. One exception: Breastfed babies may continue nursing. According to the Children's Medical Group of Wisconsin, give your child 1 to 2 oz. of clear liquid every 30 minutes. If your child is less than 12 months old, give him an electrolyte solution only. If your child is older than this, you also can give him gelatin, ice pops, apple juice, sports drinks, caffeine-free white soda and broth. Do not offer sugar-free products to your child during the stomach flu. If diarrhea is present, dilute juice with equal parts water.
When Vomiting Subsides
Once your child has stopped vomiting, start slowly reintroducing solid food. Begin with bland foods, such as toast, rice, bananas and potatoes. Results of a study conducted in Bangladesh indicate green bananas can be helpful in managing diarrhea in children. Yogurt also might be beneficial to a child struggling with diarrhea. Proceed slowly, and if any food upsets your child's stomach, remove it from her diet until a later time.
Prohibited Foods
When your child is recovering from the stomach flu, he should avoid certain foods. Overly sugary foods can worsen diarrhea. Also postpone reintroduction of dairy products. Do not give your child fatty foods, such as french fries, as they can irritate his tender stomach. Spicy foods and extremely rich foods also should be avoided.
Dehydration
The greatest concern with the stomach flu is dehydration. As your child is recovering, make sure she gets adequate hydration. Watch for the signs of dehydration. If your child has no tears when crying, has a dry mouth or is listless or drowsy, contact her doctor immediately. If your baby does not have a wet diaper for eight hours or an older child has not urinated in the past 12 hours, contact the doctor as well.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Viral Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) -- Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- BabyCenter: Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)
- Children's Medical Group: Vomiting and Diarrhea -- Home Care and Diet Instructions
- "Gastroenterology"; Clinical Studies in Persistent Diarrhea: Dietary Management with Green Banana or Pectin in Bangladeshi Children; G.H. Rabani, et al; September 2001
