What Are the Treatments for Vomiting in a Child?

Many different things can cause a child to develop nausea and vomiting. Typically, vomiting is caused by a virus commonly referred to as a "stomach virus" and medically known as gastroenteritis. When your child is vomiting, the most important thing to do is to ensure that he doesn't become dehydrated. This is because vomiting can cause the body to lose fluids, salts and minerals, which can lead to a potentially dangerous imbalance.

Avoid Solid Food

• Do not give your child solid foods or dairy products until he has not vomited for six to eight hours. After six to eight hours has passed, introduce solid foods slowly. Kidshealth.com recommends that you start with bland foods such as Jello, toast and applesauce. If that goes well, try crackers, rice, cereal and fruit. They also suggest that you not introduce any other solid foods back into the diet until it has been an additional six hours since your child has vomited.

Give Fluids

• To prevent dehydration when a child is vomiting, you do need to give fluids. That being said, if your child is vomiting, you don't want to add fuel to the fire by giving him too much fluid. Kidshealth.com suggests that you offer your child small amounts of fluid in the form of an electrolyte replacement drink. You can also try flat ginger ale, flat lemon-lime soda, clear broth, ice chips, ice pops, water or diluted juice. Only allow him to drink 1 to 2 tablespoons every 15 minutes, after it is has been about 20 minutes since he last vomited.

  If the sips of fluid cause him to vomit, wait another 20 to 30 minutes before attempting to offer fluids again. When three to four hours have passed since your child last vomited, you can gradually increase the amount of fluids you allow him to drink.

Call the Doctor

• If your child experiences bouts of vomiting for 24 hours, the Mayo Clinic recommends that you contact your physician for advice. If the child has a dry mouth, sunken eyes and a decreased amount of urination, he may be dehydrated and should see a physician.

  According to Kidshealth.com, you should also contact your doctor if your child cannot keep clear fluids down; vomits material that looks like coffee, is green or has blood in it; has a hard or bloated abdomen; pain in abdomen; swollen, painful or red scrotum; or is excessively irritable.

Push Rest

• Kids don't always rest when they are sick. If your child is nauseated or vomiting, too much activity may exacerbate the problem. Try to encourage him to stay lying down, even if that means providing him with activities and toys he can use in bed.