Patient Education / For nurses / Patient handout
Patient handout · Gastrointestinal / Nutrition

Vomiting and Diarrhea in Children: Preventing Dehydration

Vomiting and diarrhea make a child lose water and salts fast. Small sips of the right drink, given often, keep your child from drying out (dehydration).

⬇ Download PDFPrint this handout

Give the right drink

  • Use oral rehydration solution from the store (Pedialyte).
  • Do not use juice, soda, sports drinks, or broth.
  • Do not give a baby only plain water.

Give small sips often

  • Give 1 teaspoon (5 mL) every 1 to 2 minutes with a spoon or syringe.
  • Slowly give more as your child keeps it down.
  • If your child vomits, wait 10 minutes. Then start again, slowly.
  • Your child's goal: ____________.

Keep feeding

  • Keep breastfeeding, more often than usual.
  • Mix formula the usual way. Do not add extra water.
  • Return to regular food once your child drinks well.

Watch for dehydration

  • Count wet diapers or bathroom trips.
  • Watch for a dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes, or a sunken soft spot on a baby's head.

Stay safe

  • Do not give diarrhea medicine unless your provider says so.
  • Never give bismuth (Pepto-Bismol) to children.
  • Wash your hands after every diaper change.

Call your provider today if you have

  • A baby with no wet diaper in 8 hours, or an older child with no urine in 12 hours
  • A child with a dry mouth, no tears, or sunken eyes
  • A child who vomits up all drinks, or vomits for more than 24 hours
  • A baby under 3 months who vomits. With a fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, call right away.
  • Green vomit, or blood in vomit or stool: call right away

Call 911 or your local emergency number if you have

  • A child who is very sleepy, limp, or hard to wake
  • A child with cold, blotchy, blue, or gray skin
  • A child who breathes very fast or has a seizure

This handout supports, not replaces, advice from your own nurse or doctor.

For nurses and nursing students: the teaching guide behind this handout →