Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for your child's nausea and vomiting. Nausea is feeling sick to the stomach. Vomiting is throwing up.
Nausea and vomiting are usually caused by a virus. The virus spreads easily from person to person.
Your child might also have a belly ache or diarrhea (loose bowel movements). Their symptoms will likely go away without treatment in a few days.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Offer your child fluids, starting with small amounts:
•Children under 1 year old – Give them 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of breast milk or formula every 5 to 15 minutes, using a spoon or syringe. If your baby is not vomiting after 4 hours, slowly increase this amount over the next 4 hours. Then, if they still do not vomit, you can go back to normal feeding.
•Children over 1 year old – Have them sip small amounts of an oral electrolyte solution. If your child won't drink that, try a sports drink or juice mixed with the same amount of water. Older children can slowly increase how much they drink as they feel ready. Give younger children 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) every 5 minutes. Increase this slowly if your child is not vomiting after 2 hours.
If your child vomits after drinking, wait 30 minutes and try again. If they can keep these small amounts down without vomiting, gradually increase the amount. If they do not vomit after 2 to 3 hours, you can go back to normal feeding.
●Avoid giving your child solid foods for a few hours if they have been vomiting. If they are hungry and can drink fluids, offer foods that have a lot of fluid in them. Good examples are soup, gelatin, and ice pops. If this goes well, offer soft, bland foods if they feel ready. Good foods to eat are lean meats, noodles, rice, oatmeal, whole-grain crackers, soup, soft vegetables, and fruits. Avoid foods and drinks with a lot of sugar.
●Do not give your child over-the-counter medicines to ease diarrhea or vomiting.
●Wash your and your child's hands often. This helps prevent spreading the infection. Always wash hands before eating and after changing diapers. Help your child wash their hands after they use the toilet.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•You cannot wake your child.
•Your child passes out, seems very sleepy, or is breathing fast and has 1 or more of these symptoms of severe fluid loss:
-Their skin is mottled and cool, and their hands and feet are blue.
-They do not urinate for 24 hours.
-Their eyes are sunken.
-The soft spot on their head is sunken (for babies).
●Return to the ED if:
•Your child cannot keep any fluids down, has not drank anything in many hours, and has 1 or more of the following:
-Your child is not as alert as usual, is very sleepy, or is much less active.
-Your child is crying all the time.
-Your baby has not had a wet diaper for 4 to 6 hours.
-Your older child has not urinated in the past 6 to 8 hours.
-Your child's skin is cool.
•Your child has a severe belly ache.
•Your child has pain in the right lower part of their belly.
•Your child's vomit looks green.
•Your child has blood in their vomit or bowel movements.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your child cannot keep fluids down.
●Your child is having trouble eating normally.
●Your child has a dry mouth.
●Your child has few or no tears when they cry.
●Your child's urine is dark.
●Your child is less active than normal.
●Your child has diarrhea for longer than a few days.
●Your child vomits for longer than 24 hours.
●Your child has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that lasts more than 2 to 3 days.
●Your child has new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Nausea and vomiting in babies and children (The Basics)
Patient education: Diarrhea in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Nausea and vomiting in infants and children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Acute diarrhea in children (Beyond the Basics)
