What foods can my child eat after the stomach flu?
Once your child has stopped vomiting, they can start to eat foods again. The best foods after the stomach flu are the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. "These foods are very easy to digest," says Dr. Rojas. "Children can also have crackers, or grilled or boiled chicken.".
What should I Feed my child when they have diarrhea?
Go easy on foods such as high-sugar treats and sweets, spicy dishes, or fried food as they could could potentially exacerbate diarrhea. Instead of focusing on exactly what your child eats when they’re sick, worry more about keeping them hydrated.
Should you feed a child with a stomach bug?
But there are better ways to help feed a child who is in the midst of a stomach bug. And once the unpleasant symptoms subside, certain foods can help ease your child back to their pre-stomach bug eating habits. When the first signs of a stomach virus come about, your first instinct may be to feed them.
What are the treatments for toddler stomach flu?
One of the best treatments for toddler stomach flu is to modify the diet 1 ⭐ . . The most common symptoms include an upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and fatigue. If your child develops blood or mucus in his stools, call your doctor immediately. This may be a sign of a more serious condition.
What can I feed a baby with a stomach virus?
Your doctor may recommend that you give your child bland foods for the first 24 hours. Bland foods include bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, saltine crackers and unsweetened cereals. If your child does well with these foods, you can add other foods over the next 48 hours.
How can I help my baby with stomach flu?
If your child has a stomach bug, the most important thing is to keep her hydrated with breast milk, formula, or water, depending on her age. She may also need a pediatric electrolyte solution. Once she can keep fluids down, returning to a normal diet will give her the nutrients her body needs to get better.
Can you give baby milk with stomach bug?
AVOID: butter, oily, fried foods, NO juice. Eat or drink less milk and milk products for a few days. A common error is to give as much fluid at one time as your child wants rather than gradually increasing the amount. This almost always leads to continued vomiting.
How long does the stomach flu last in babies?
The sickness usually passes in about 10 days without medication. The first few days tend to be the worst, but you can take steps to help your child get through it.
Should I feed baby after vomiting?
Offer your baby a feeding after they've stopped throwing up. If your baby is hungry and takes to the bottle or breast after vomiting, go right ahead and feed them. Liquid feeding after vomiting can sometimes even help settle your baby's nausea. Start with small amounts of milk and wait to see if they vomit again.
What is the quickest way to get rid of a stomach bug?
Lifestyle and home remediesLet your stomach settle. Stop eating solid foods for a few hours.Try sucking on ice chips or taking small sips of water often. ... Ease back into eating. ... Avoid certain foods and substances until you feel better. ... Get plenty of rest. ... Try anti-diarrhea medications.
What can I give my baby for upset stomach and vomiting?
Formula Fed Babies - Give Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) for 8 Hours:If vomits once, give half the regular amount every 1 to 2 hours.If vomits more than once, offer ORS for 8 hours. ... ORS is a special fluid that can help your child stay hydrated. ... Spoon or syringe feed small amounts.More items...•
How do I know if my baby is dehydrated?
How can I tell if my child is dehydrated?Dry tongue and dry lips.No tears when crying.Fewer than six wet diapers per day (for infants), and no wet diapers or urination for eight hours (in toddlers).Sunken soft spot on infant's head.Sunken eyes.Dry and wrinkled skin.Deep, rapid breathing.More items...•
Can I give my 1 year old milk after vomiting?
As your child begins to take liquids, gradually increase the amount. If they still vomit, wait 30 to 60 minutes and start again. Do not force your child to drink or wake them up to drink if they are sleeping. Do not give any kind of milk or yogurt drinks until the vomiting has stopped for 8 hours.
Is Pedialyte OK for babies?
For infants less than 1 year old, always use an oral electrolyte solution (such as Pedialyte or Kao Lectrolyte).
What can I give my baby for upset stomach and vomiting?
Formula Fed Babies - Give Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) for 8 Hours:If vomits once, give half the regular amount every 1 to 2 hours.If vomits more than once, offer ORS for 8 hours. ... ORS is a special fluid that can help your child stay hydrated. ... Spoon or syringe feed small amounts.More items...•
How do I know if my baby has stomach bug?
If your child has the stomach flu, they may have hard-to-miss signs and symptoms like: diarrhea (usually watery and sometimes explosive) stomach pain and cramps. fever (usually mild and sometimes nonexistent)
When should I take my child to the ER for stomach flu?
If your child experiences any of the following, be sure to call his or her physician:Fever.Severe vomiting.Severe diarrhea (more than eight stools per day)Dehydration, as shown by weakness, dry lips or infrequent urination.Blood in the stool or vomit.Abdominal pain in one spot.Yellowing of the skin/eyes.More items...•
What to do if a toddler has stomach flu?
It could be the stomach flu (gastroenteritis). If your child has a stomach bug, the most important thing is to keep her hydrated with breast milk, formula, or water, depending on her age. She may also need a pediatric electrolyte solution.
How did my child get stomach flu?
Virus: Viral gastroenteritis is very contagious. Your baby or child may have eaten or touched something contaminated with the virus. Or he may have shared a cup or utensils with someone who has the virus. (It's possible to have the virus without showing symptoms.)
How can I help protect my child against gastroenteritis?
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after every diaper change and bathroom visit, and before preparing food . Hand sanitizer won't kill the germs. It's also a good idea to wash your child's hands often throughout the day.
How do I keep gastroenteritis from spreading to the rest of my family?
Keep in mind that people with gastroenteritis can spread germs to others for days or even weeks after they feel better, so continue to wash hands with warm, soapy water – especially after going to the bathroom.
What is stomach flu?
Stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, is an inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. If your baby, toddler, or young child has gastroenteritis, she may have diarrhea , vomiting , abdominal pain , fever, chills, and achiness. Her symptoms may be mild or severe, and they may last for just a few hours or for days, depending on the cause.
How should I keep my baby or toddler hydrated?
Offer your baby frequent breast or bottle feedings, and your toddler or young child plenty of water.
How many bouts of gastroenteritis do children get a year?
Viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States (after upper respiratory infections such as colds ). Children average one or two bouts of this stomach bug each year.
What to eat after stomach flu?
While many still stick to the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) after the stomach flu, doctors now recommend reducing sugar intake and implementing small amounts of the child’s regular diet.
How long does the stomach flu last in children?
Typically the stomach flu lasts 24-48 hours in children, but some children have symptoms for up to 10 days. If your child suffers from symptoms past 48 hours, contact a medical professional as they are at risk for dehydration.
How often should I give my child fluids?
What I recommend is giving small amounts of fluid every 15-20 minutes or so, which gives the lining of the gut time to absorb it (and doesn’t over-fill your child’s queezy stomach).
Why do you have to let your child have a peanut butter sandwich?
But, when your child is sick–because nutrition and hydration are so paramount–the Division of Responsibility can take a back seat until they’re well. This means, if they would prefer a peanut butter sandwich to the casserole that was served for dinner, let them have the sandwich.
How to keep kids hydrated?
The bottom line is to make sure that your kids stay hydrated and nourished with a variety of foods that they want to eat, don’t rely on the BRAT diet, and make sure that you’re keeping up with hand-washing (to prevent the spread of illness!). If you’re concerned that your child’s illness is prolonged, or they are showing any signs of a more serious health problem (dehydration, blood in their stool, etc.) contact their health care provider right away for further guidance.
What happens when a child gets sick?
When your child gets sick with a stomach bug, life gets derailed. All of a sudden, schedules get rearranged, work gets missed, laundry piles up, survival mode kicks in, and all of your focus is directed to comforting and taking care of your little one (and making sure that siblings and YOU don’t get sick too).
Can you feed a baby on demand?
For babies under the age of one who are breastfeeding, continue to feed on demand, and for formula-fed babies, continue to feed formula (and prepare as per usual–not diluted). For breastfed babies over the age of one, you can also feed on demand during sickness.
Can kids eat spaghetti?
Great! They feel like soup or spaghetti–let them have it! The truth is, children can eat a variety of foods that they would normally eat when they’re sick. Try offering smaller amounts (so that they don’t get overwhelmed and turned off), and focus on maximizing nutrition when they DO have an appetite.
Can a child eat a brat diet?
But the point is, it’s not necessary (or recommended) to limit your child to only BRAT diet foods. It’s better to let your child eat whatever nutritious foods they want to or will eat.
How to know if a toddler is dehydrated?
Dehydration is a potential risk in children recovering from stomach viruses. Because infants can develop dehydration more quickly, you must watch them closely for the signs. Call your pediatrician or go to the hospital if your infant is still vomiting every five to 30 minutes after eight hours. Seek medical attention if your toddler is in the acute stage for 12 hours, or 16 hours for older children. Signs of dehydration include concentrated or no urine, dry lips, no tears and fussiness or listlessness. If your child becomes dehydrated, he may need hospitalization to receive intravenous fluids.
Is stomach flu a virus?
This is an inaccurate term, however, because the illness is not caused by the influenza virus. The Norwalk virus, also called norovirus, is a highly contagious bug that produces gastrointestinal symptoms. Illnesses that cause intense vomiting that lasts for 12 to 24 hours usually are not viruses at all but more likely are cases of food poisoning.
What to give toddlers for stomach flu?
Liquids are an essential aspect of your toddler’s diet during the stomach flu 1 2. Excessive vomiting and diarrhea can cause your toddler to become dehydrated, Baby Center warns 2. Give your child increased liquids, such as water, sports drinks and child-oriented electrolyte-infused beverages. You can also use ice pops to help maintain the proper amount of liquid in your child’s diet. Stay away from excessive amounts of fruit juice and do not give your child soda; both contain large amounts of sugar, which can worsen diarrhea.
How long does stomach flu last in toddlers?
The infection typically causes symptoms in toddlers for one to two days and is highly contagious. One of the best treatments for toddler stomach flu is to modify the diet 1 2.
Is fever common with stomach flu?
A fever is not common with the stomach flu; call the pediatrician if your child runs a fever with a stomach flu 1 2.
Can you give a toddler ice pops?
You can also use ice pops to help maintain the proper amount of liquid in your child’s diet. Stay away from excessive amounts of fruit juice and do not give your child soda; both contain large amounts of sugar, which can worsen diarrhea. Liquids are an essential aspect of your toddler’s diet during the stomach flu 1.
What do you feed a child with the stomach flu?
The best foods after the stomach flu are the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
How to treat stomach flu in kids?
The best ways to treat the stomach flu in kids are hydration and rest. "For hydration, use a rehydration solution that's available in any store and over the counter," says Dr. Rojas. "Start with small sips and increase gradually, so they don't vomit it up.". Water alone may not be enough to rehydrate kids safely, especially younger children.
How long does the stomach flu last in kids?
A stomach flu usually lasts between one and three days. Vomiting typically lasts for less than 24 hours.
What is the stomach flu?
The stomach flu, also called viral gastroenteritis, is not to be confused with the flu caused by the influenza virus. The stomach flu is caused by viruses, such as norovirus and rotavirus, that irritate and infect the digestive system. It can be a common illness among kids, who may not be as good at washing their hands as adults ...
Can apple juice cause diarrhea?
Certain drinks, like apple juice or carbonated beverages, can make vomiting or diarrhea worse, so it's best to stick to rehydration solution or plain water. If your child has nausea or vomiting again, it's best to stop the food until their stomach can settle.
Can antibiotics help with stomach flu?
Because the stomach flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help. "Usually we just need to let the virus run its own course," says Dr. Rojas. "Trying to take medications can prolong symptoms and make them worse.".
Can you eat spicy food after vomiting?
Children should avoid greasy, heavy or spicy foods for a few days after they experience vomiting. Avoiding dairy could also be beneficial due to a transient lactose intolerance after stomach flu, though infants should still breastfeed or have formula if able to tolerate.
How to stop a child from getting the stomach flu?
You can at least prevent it from happening as often. The best way to prevent the stomach flu is wash your hands — and wash them again. Teach your child how to wash their hands properly and to wash them often.
How to help a toddler with a swollen stomach?
Try giving your child light, bland foods that will be easy on the stomach. Try crackers, Jell-O, bananas, toast, or rice. However, don’t insist that your child has to eat if they don’t want to. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Now is the time to pop in a favorite movie or reread beloved books.
How often does the stomach flu happen?
the stomach flu every year. It also leads to about a million visits to the pediatrician every year in the United States. These viruses act fast — your child may get sick only a day or two after catching one. The stomach flu is also very contagious.
What is the stomach flu?
The stomach flu goes straight — and mercilessly — for the intestines. The stomach flu is usually caused by one of three viruses: norovirus. rotavirus. adenovirus. The norovirus is the most common cause of the stomach flu in kids under the age of 5 years. This virus gives up to 21 million people.
What happens if one child has a stomach infection?
Other kinds of gastrointestinal infections are caused by bacteria. This includes food poisoning, which has slightly different symptoms than the stomach flu.
How long does it take for a baby to have diarrhea?
Your baby or child may have cycles of vomiting and diarrhea for about 24 hours. If your child has the stomach flu, they may have hard-to-miss signs and symptoms like: diarrhea (usually watery and sometimes explosive) stomach pain and cramps. fever (usually mild and sometimes nonexistent) chills. nausea. vomiting. poor appetite.
How old should a baby be to take pain medication?
You can give babies over the age of 6 months pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Ask your pediatrician about the exact dosage. Too much pain relief medication can make babies ill.
