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.".
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 should you eat after a stomach bug?
In the past, experts suggested eating bland foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce and toast after a stomach bug. Today, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children go back to their normal diets after they're hydrated. Think: slow and steady.
What can I give my Child for an upset stomach?
Give toddlers and older kids small sips of water and clear drinks like ginger ale. You can also try clear broths, as well as oral rehydration solutions for babies and small children. You can get these from your local pharmacy without a prescription. Try giving your child light, bland foods that will be easy on the stomach.
What can a child eat after a sickness bug?
When your child stops vomiting, you can offer small amounts of solid foods, such as toast, crackers, rice, or mashed potatoes. Yogurt, fruits, vegetables, and lean meat, like chicken, are also OK. A child who isn't throwing up can eat a regular diet, if they feel up to it. It may take time for them to feel like eating.
What foods are good for kids with stomach bug?
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. Most children can return to their usual diet about 3 days after the diarrhea stops.
What foods soothe a stomach virus?
Foods to eat include clear broths, crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, rice and chicken. Avoid certain foods until you feel better. These foods include dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, processed foods, and fatty, spicy or highly seasoned foods. Be cautious with medications.
How do you reintroduce food after a stomach bug?
The goal is to reintroduce bland foods that are easy for your stomach to digest. The most recommended foods to eat after the stomach flu, food poisoning or a regular stomach ache are part of what's known as the BRAT diet. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
How long does stomach bug last in kids?
Viral infections are the usual cause of gastroenteritis. Bacteria can sometimes bring it on. 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.
Can you put butter on toast for BRAT diet?
Toast. Toast, aka the T in the BRAT diet, is very easily digested and will not make your tummy rumble any more than necessary. Toast also refrains from causing acid reflux. Make sure not to top your toast with peanut butter, avocado or very much butter, however — the key is to keep it bland and easy to digest.
Is it best to starve a stomach bug?
How is it treated? The most important thing to do is to rest the stomach and intestine. You can do this by not eating solid food for a while and drinking only clear liquids. As your symptoms go away, you can start eating soft bland foods that are easy to digest.
Are eggs good for an upset stomach?
Boiled, poached, or scrambled eggs are easy to prepare, eat, and digest. They are often suitable for people who are recovering from a stomach virus or nausea. The white contains less fat and is easier to digest, but many people with digestive problems can also tolerate the yolk.
Is pasta good for an upset stomach?
Bland carbs “White rice, pasta, crackers, and oat brans don't need a lot of work to breakdown so they're really easy to digest,” Ganjhu explains. Plus, these foods are inoffensive in taste and smell which makes them easy and soothing to eat, even when it's hard to stomach much else.
When can I resume a normal diet after stomach flu?
As you feel better, return to a normal, healthy diet. The BRAT diet doesn't provide all the nutrients of a healthy diet. You should be able to start eating a more regular diet, including fruits and vegetables, within about 24 to 48 hours after vomiting or having diarrhea.
Is peanut butter OK for BRAT diet?
Eat BRAT diet foods Liquids: cranberry, apple and grape juice, tea (without caffeine), water. Snacks: canned peaches, pears, sweet potatoes, crackers, cream of wheat, eggs, gelatin, oatmeal, creamy peanut butter.
Is yogurt good for stomach flu?
As important as the foods you should have to help you recover from your stomach virus, are the foods you should avoid. Mayo Clinic suggests avoiding caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, fatty or highly seasoned food and dairy. As yogurt is a dairy product, it's generally not recommended for stomach flu recovery.
What can help settle 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.
Should you feed a child with a sickness bug?
Children who are vomiting should keep taking small sips of clear fluid, such as water or clear broth. Fruit juice and fizzy drinks should be avoided until they're feeling better. If they're not dehydrated and haven't lost their appetite, it's fine for your child to eat solid foods as normal.
What can you give a child for upset stomach and vomiting?
Home remedies for your child's upset stomachpopsicles.broth.ginger ale.nonsugary electrolyte beverages (such as Pedialyte)
What do you feed a child with norovirus?
Stick to clear foods like ice pops and Jell-O®; bland and easily-digested snacks like dry cereal, crackers, bread, pasta and pretzels; or the traditional BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Encourage lots of rest.
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.
What is the division of responsibility in feeding?
In a nutshell, it means that parents are responsible for what , when and where food is served, and kids are in charge of if and how much food is served. 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. If they would like to eat their crackers and cheese snuggled up with you on the couch while you watch cartoons, let it happen. If your child asks for a popsicle out of the blue–let them have it.
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).
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).
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.
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.
Myth: Water is best for hydration
Fact: It doesn’t contain electrolytes needed by the body to sustain what’s lost during the time you were vomiting or having loose bowel.
Myth: Coke can settle the stomach from cramping
Fact: Cherry soup or syrup from fruit cocktails can be the best one not the coke. Gatorade or pedialyte is best for kids.
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.
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 ...
What to feed a child with stomach flu?
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.
Why do kids lose electrolytes?
Kids lose electrolytes when they vomit or have diarrhea. This can lead to low sodium in the blood, a dangerous situation. A rehydration solution, like Pedialyte, replenishes fluids and electrolytes. Broth can also be helpful.
How long does it take for a child to recover from diarrhea?
With the right rest and rehydration, your child should make a full recovery in just a few days. Dr. Rojas says they can even return to school once the diarrhea has stopped and they have not had a fever for 24 hours.
Can stomach flu cause diarrhea?
Unfortunately for little ones, the stomach flu can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
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.
What Should I Feed My Child After Vomiting
After it has been 4-6 hours since the last time your little one upchucked and they are keeping down fluids, you can start trying to feed them these recommended foods:
How Long Does The Stomach Viral Flu Last In A Child
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.
Recovery
It’s never easy seeing your little one suffer, but remember to take care of yourself too by sanitizing everything. You won’t be much good if you catch the virus too. I’ve made that mistake before and it’s not pretty.
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.
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.
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 to help a baby with stomach flu?
Let the stomach settle. Avoid feeding your baby or child solid food for a few hours. Give older children frozen juice treats (popsicles) or ice chips. This helps to prevent dehydration.
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 to hydrate a baby?
Drinking milk may help hydrate your baby; it’s OK if they throw up some or all of it right after. Try using as syringe to give babies small amounts of liquids if they don’t want to nurse or bottle feed. Give toddlers and older kids small sips of water and clear drinks like ginger ale.
How long does it take for a child to vomit?
Part may be an easy gag reflex. With most viruses that cause the “stomach flu,” as the infection moves through the stomach and intestines, vomiting stops after about 24 hours. But not always.
How to keep a child from getting stomach bug?
Hand washing and keeping things clean are your best defenses from getting ill with a stomach bug. Not surprisingly, this is particularly true after touching or supporting your child and when preparing food and eating. Some viruses will survive on surfaces for days. And some viruses like Norovirus can even survive hand sanitizer. You have to use soap and water to kill it. But even with ridiculous, meticulous attention to hygiene, every parent knows that when the vomit is flying, it’s hard to lasso every single errant particle. So simply commit to do your best. Change the sheets and clean up areas of vomit immediately after supporting your child. Soapy warm water is your friend. Wash surfaces immediately, use hot water for the wash, and use high heat in the dryer.
How to avoid spreading infection?
With some highly infectious viruses that cause vomiting, even 10 viral particles can cause illness. So in addition to soap and water, consider using a dilute bleach solution to clean hard surfaces.
How long does it take for a baby to vomit after eating?
If you advance liquids too quickly or children eat more solids than they are ready for, even after the first meal 1 to 2 days into eating again, they may have a vomit encore. If you have one of those, start back where you started (sips of clear liquids) and go very slow advancing their diet.
How long does it take to vomit with gastroenteritis?
24 hours (or so): In general, most pediatricians will tell you that vomiting doesn’t exceed 24 hours with typical gastroenteritis. Occasionally it can.
What is the best disinfectant for a child?
Remember that vomiting is a protection reaction of your child’s body to clear infection. Soap, water, and bleach: William Osler said, “Soap and water and common sense are the best disinfectants .”. Cleaning your home to avoid spreading infection is a must. You don’t need expensive products, just vigilance.
How long does diarrhea last with viral gastroenteritis?
Then there is resilience. Children do very well recovering from typical viral gastroenteritis, although diarrhea can last for days .
