Providing food to a vomiting toddler can be a difficult task, but it is required to help him/her recover. Even if the toddler throws up most of the food and liquids given, he/she can gain some nutrition. Always keep the toddler properly nourished even if he/she is sick will ensure that he/she will not develop serious dehydration.
What to do for vomiting?
Always bear in mind that vomiting can be an indication of certain health issues. If the child only vomits once or twice, excessive crying or motion sickness might be the trigger. Nevertheless, if the toddler throws up repeatedly, the causes might be bacterial or viral, food poisoning, food allergy or another form of infection such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection or ear infection. In case you suspect that the cause can be managed at home such as the flu virus, always make sure that you will keep the toddler properly nourished and hydrated.
Measures to perform for a vomiting toddler
You have to introduce the toddler to food and beverages in steps when he/she is vomiting. During the initial stage of sickness where the toddler is throwing up every 5 to 30 minutes, you should not provide anything to the child other than small sips of water in room temperature since all liquids and foods will only be thrown up.
Once the vomiting subsides to once in an hour or so, this is the time to introduce liquid sustenance to the toddler. Once the toddler has stopped vomiting, you can start to feed him/her simple, easy to digest solids. By enrolling in a first aid course, you can learn to properly manage vomiting.
Liquids
When providing a vomiting toddler with liquids, it is recommended to stick with simple beverages. You can initially start with water and then move on to an oral rehydration solution, white grape juice and sports drinks. Children who are still being breastfed can be given breast milk as well. It is important to note that parents must avoid giving soda and most types of juices since they contain high amounts of sugar that will only aggravate the dehydration.
Solids
Once the child is well enough to consume solids, it is best to start with vegetable stock or light chicken. At this point, bland foods such as unbuttered toast, dry cereal, saltine crackers, rice, fruit, dry cereal and applesauce. It is important to stay away from fatty or fried fruits since they can irritate the stomach.
Important considerations to bear in mind
In some cases, feeding the child while vomiting will only make things worse. Once you suspect that the toddler has eaten something such as cleaning products or medication, bring him/her to the emergency room right away. Similarly, if you suspect that a health issues is serious, go to the hospital.
In case the vomiting could not be controlled within a few hours and the child shows signs of dehydration such as listlessness, sunken eyes and rapid heartbeat, he/she would require the administration of intravenous fluids at the hospital.