When to Reintroduce Food After Vomiting
When Can I Feed My Child After Vomiting? What Ontario Parents Need to Know
Your child just finished vomiting and you're wondering when it's safe to offer food again. The general rule is to wait at least 1 to 2 hours after the last vomit before trying any food, and even then, start very small and simple.
What's happening in their body?
When your child vomits, their stomach and digestive system need time to settle down. Think of it like a washing machine that's been spinning too fast and needs to stop completely before you can open the door safely.
Vomiting can happen for lots of reasons in kids. Sometimes it's a stomach bug, sometimes they ate too much too fast, or maybe they're fighting off a cold and the mucus is making them queasy. Whatever the cause, their stomach lining is irritated and sensitive right now.
The good news? Most kids bounce back from vomiting episodes pretty quickly once you give their system a chance to rest.
Starting with fluids first
Before you even think about food, focus on keeping your child hydrated. After vomiting stops, wait about 15 to 30 minutes, then offer small sips of clear fluids every few minutes.
Good options include water, clear broths, or oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte. Avoid fruit juices, milk, or anything too sweet, as these can irritate the stomach more.
If your child keeps fluids down for an hour or two without vomiting, that's your green light to consider food.
The best first foods
When you're ready to try food, start with tiny amounts of bland, easy-to-digest options. The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is a classic choice, but don't feel limited to just these four foods.
Other gentle options include plain crackers, plain pasta, or small pieces of cooked chicken. Think boring and simple. This isn't the time for their favorite pizza or anything greasy, spicy, or high in fiber.
Start with just a few bites and wait 20 to 30 minutes. If those stay down, you can gradually offer a bit more.
When to worry
Head to the emergency room if your child shows signs of severe dehydration like no tears when crying, no wet diapers for 6 hours (or no urination for 8 hours in older kids), extreme lethargy, or a sunken soft spot in babies.
You should also seek immediate care if there's blood in the vomit, severe abdominal pain, or if your child seems confused or unusually drowsy.
Call your doctor or text Arlo if vomiting continues for more than 24 hours in children over 2 (or 12 hours in babies and toddlers), if your child can't keep fluids down for several hours, or if you're seeing signs of mild dehydration like decreased urination or increased fussiness.
The takeaway
Recovery from vomiting is usually just a matter of time and patience. Trust your instincts about when your child seems ready for food again, and don't rush the process.
You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!
References - [Caring for Kids: Vomiting and diarrhea](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions/vomitinganddiarrhea)
- [AboutKidsHealth: Vomiting](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=746&language=english)
- [Ontario.ca: When to seek emergency care for children](https://www.ontario.ca/page/when-seek-emergency-care-children)