Natick Pediatrics, PC

Dear Dr. Lindeman,
What should I do when my son vomits?

There are many reasons why a child/infant vomits:

Viral infection of the intestines ("stomach bug" or "stomach flu") often accompanied by diarrhea
Normal spitting up in an infant
Vomiting induced forceful coughing (disturbing to watch, but completely normal)

In general, vomiting disturbs parents more than the vomiting child.

Vomiting from any cause is often mistakenly referred to as "projectile". To a pediatrician, vomiting is not "projectile" unless the infant/child's vomit travels at least 6 feet! This may indicate an intestinal blockage that requires urgent attention.
Vomiting illnesses usually resolve by 24-48 hours.

Home Treatment

Fluids: A child can easily go a day or two without eating, but no child can go even a day without drinking! Offer a vomiting child small amounts of clear fluid frequently.
Diluted juices, Pedialyte, or even water (for children older than 12 months) are good choices. In fact, even though experts caution against using milk/formula, it is better that the child drink milk and throw it up, than to refuse juice or Pedialyte and become dehydrated. As long as fluid goes in, even though it comes "right back up", enough is absorbed to avoid dehydration.
Start small: Start with a teaspoon every 10 minutes. Double the amount every hour. For breast-fed babies, water or Pedialyte given by bottle, medicine dropper, or even spoons may be best.
Do not give any medicine designed to slow down or stop vomiting. This will only lengthen the time the child is sick.

If you believe your child has eaten a medicine, plant, or household poison that may have caused the vomiting call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-682-9211.

Call us immediately at 508-655-9699 if

Your child does not pass urine for 12 hours
Your child does not make tears when crying
There is blood in the vomit that does not appear to come from a nosebleed
Your child has stomach pain that lasts longer than 4 hours
Your child becomes confused or difficult to awaken
Your child begins acting very sick

Call during call-hour at 508-655-9699 if

The vomiting continues for longer than 12 hours in a child less than 6 months old, longer than 24 hours in a child less than 2 years old, or more than 48 hours in older children.
You have other concerns or questions

Lincoln Medical Building
61 Lincoln Street, Suite 210
Framingham, MA 01702

(508) 655-9699
(508) 655-2984 fax

Updated: 10/17/02

Dear Dr. Lindeman,
What should I do when my son vomits?

There are many reasons why a child/infant vomits:

Viral infection of the intestines ("stomach bug" or "stomach flu") often accompanied by diarrhea
Normal spitting up in an infant
Vomiting induced forceful coughing (disturbing to watch, but completely normal)

In general, vomiting disturbs parents more than the vomiting child.

Vomiting from any cause is often mistakenly referred to as "projectile". To a pediatrician, vomiting is not "projectile" unless the infant/child's vomit travels at least 6 feet! This may indicate an intestinal blockage that requires urgent attention.
Vomiting illnesses usually resolve by 24-48 hours.

Home Treatment

Fluids: A child can easily go a day or two without eating, but no child can go even a day without drinking! Offer a vomiting child small amounts of clear fluid frequently.
Diluted juices, Pedialyte, or even water (for children older than 12 months) are good choices. In fact, even though experts caution against using milk/formula, it is better that the child drink milk and throw it up, than to refuse juice or Pedialyte and become dehydrated. As long as fluid goes in, even though it comes "right back up", enough is absorbed to avoid dehydration.
Start small: Start with a teaspoon every 10 minutes. Double the amount every hour. For breast-fed babies, water or Pedialyte given by bottle, medicine dropper, or even spoons may be best.
Do not give any medicine designed to slow down or stop vomiting. This will only lengthen the time the child is sick.

If you believe your child has eaten a medicine, plant, or household poison that may have caused the vomiting call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-682-9211.

Call us immediately at 508-655-9699 if

Your child does not pass urine for 12 hours
Your child does not make tears when crying
There is blood in the vomit that does not appear to come from a nosebleed
Your child has stomach pain that lasts longer than 4 hours
Your child becomes confused or difficult to awaken
Your child begins acting very sick

Call during call-hour at 508-655-9699 if

The vomiting continues for longer than 12 hours in a child less than 6 months old, longer than 24 hours in a child less than 2 years old, or more than 48 hours in older children.
You have other concerns or questions

Natick Pediatrics, PC
Lincoln Medical Building
61 Lincoln Street, Suite 210
Framingham, MA 01702

(508) 655-9699
(508) 655-2984 fax

Updated: 10/17/02