I am writing this to help other parents out there to know what they should do when their child vomits. Most of the time, parents and/or caregivers of the child try to replace the amount that was vomitted with a fluid & electrolyte replacement immediately after the child has vomitted. WRONG!!!
Read on ... Just 2 days ago, Lance, my 1 year old, vomitted his dinner. I believe we overfed him. His last food intake was about 8 in the evening of Tuesday, 20 Nov. '07. After a couple of hours, he asked for milk (about 5 ounces) and then after another 3 hours, he asked for milk again (another 5 ounces). By 3am, he vomitted all that he ate and drank. The vomitus have not been digested.
It was a good thing that I talked to a friend of mine just recently whose grandchild was hospitalized due to vomitting and diarrhea. She clearly told me her mistake ... she gave her grandchild fluids immediately after vomiting which was WRONG ... She said that the hospital personnel told her that she should have waited about 3-4 hours before giving her some fluids. And, that was what I did with Lance when he vomitted. I waited it out ...
Now, here's the information you need. I got this from my childcare book (Caring For Your Baby And Young Child - Birth to Age 5):
Since many common childhood illnesses can cause vomiting, you should expect your child to have this problem several times during these early years. Usually, IT ENDS QUICKLY WITHOUT TREATMENT, but this doesn't make it any easier for you to watch.
FIRST OF All, there's a DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REAL VOMITING and just SPITTING UP.
VOMITING is the forceful throwing up of stomach contents through the mouth. SPITTING UP (most commonly seen in infants under 1 year of age) is the easy flow of stomach contents out of the mouth, frequently with a burp.
HERE'S WHAT TO DO:
In most cases, vomiting will stop without specific medical treatment. You should never use OVER-THE-COUNTER or prescription remedies unless they've been specifically prescribed by your pediatrician.
1. When your infant or young child is vomiting, keep her lying on her stomach or side as much as possible. This will minimize the chances of vomit being inhaled into the upper airway and lungs.
2. For the 1st 24 hours, keep your child OFF SOLID FOODS. Liquids not only help to prevent dehydration, but also are less likely than solid foods to stimulate further vomiting. Encourage her to suck or drink clear fluids such as:
- water
- sugar water (half teaspoon [2.5cc] sugar in 4 oz. [120ml] of water)
- popsicles
- gelatin water (1 tsp [5cc] of flavored gelatin in 4 oz. [120ml] of water)
- electrolyte solution
- chicken noodle soup (about 1-2oz [30-60cc])
3. GUIDELINE FOR GIVING FLUIDS AFTER YOUR CHILD HAS VOMITTED:
- WAIT for 2-3 hours after the last vomitting episode, and then give 1-2 oz of cool water every 30 mins - 1 hour for 4 feedings;
- If she retains this, give 2 oz of electrolyte solution alternated with 2 oz of clear liquids every 30 mins;
- If this is retained for 2 feedings, add half strength formula or milk (depending upon age), and continue increasing the quantity slowly to 3-4 oz every 3-4 hours.
- Example. After retaining the electrolyte solution alternated with clear liquids, next fluid to be given after 30 mins is 2oz. formula or milk that is half the normal dilution (If the normal dilution is 2oz:2scoops; then you give 2oz:1scoop), if this is retained give 3oz (still half the normal dilution) after 3-4 hours, then if still (-) vomiting, give 4oz (still half the normal dilution) after 3-4 hours till she reaches about 6oz or whatever is her normal quantity milk intake.
- Eventually normalize the dilution when she has retained the half strength formula or milk that was given at a normal quantity.
4. After 12-24 hours with (-) vomiting, gradually return your child to her normal diet, but continue to give her plenty of clear fluids.
5. In most cases, your child will just need to stay at home and receive a liquid diet for 12-24 hours. Your pediatrician usually won't prescribe a drug to treat the vomiting.
6. If SHE CAN'T RETAIN ANY CLEAR LIQUIDS or the symptoms become more severe, notify your pediatrician. She will examine your child and may order blood and urine tests or x-rays to make a diagnosis. Occasionally, hospital care may be necessary.
7. Occasionally, infections outside the gastro-intestinal tract will cause vomiting and such conditions MAY REQUIRE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT, so BE ALERT for the following TROUBLE SIGNS whatever your child's age: (NOTIFY YOUR PEDIATRICIAN ASAP)
- blood or bile (a green-colored material) in the vomitus
- severe abdominal pain
- strenuous, repeated vomiting
- swollen abdomen
- lethargy or severe irritability
- convulsions
- signs or symptoms of dehydration, including dry mouth, absent tears, depression of the "soft spot," and decreased urination
- inability to drink adequate amounts of fluid
- vomiting continuing beyond 12-24 hours
