My 22 month old son woke up a couple hours after bedtime last night throwing up. He threw up several times during the night, and has not kept anything down today. Like he had some water and it immediately came back up and splashed on the floor. Other than the puking, he seems happy and normal though. He's only ever thrown up once before and it was an isolated incident, so this is a first. Does this sound like a basic kind of stomach bug or should I take him to the doctor? I hate to spend the time and money for them to tell me to let him rest and give him fluids, but it's also new for us so not sure how concerned I should be.
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It depends on whether he can keep any liquids down. I'd give him a half hour and then start him on sips of water. If he starts to get dehydrated it could be a problem. But if starts to be able to drink and doesn't throw up, after a couple hours I'd feed him easy to digest foods. If he develops a fever after a couple days I'd call the doctor because he could have an ear infection.
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We've dealt with this twice in the past month. I called the nurse line and they didn't think it was necessary for me to come in.
They told me to monitor his temperature, give him small sips of water, pedialyte, or pedialyte popsicles. Key thing is to not overwhelm his tummy.
Dr told me 4-8 hrs of clear fluids, then 24 hrs of clear fluids + simple breads (graham crackers, saltines, puffs, cheerios). Then we introduced fruit purees / applesauce, and we also did simple cut fruit with no peel.
If he gets a temp that can't be controlled with meds, then obviously bring to the Dr.
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@ShootingStar: @DesertDreams88: so far he hasn't kept any liquid down but that's probably not helped by the fact that he won't drink juice so it's just plain water. Thank you for the tips, they're very helpful!
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@Jennibenni: Make sure it's literally sips, we were told to get out the measuring spoons and do a teaspoon at a time, taking a couple minute break between each teaspoon.
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Gatorade stays down better than water if he'll do it. Or Pedialite popsicles.
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@MrsSRS: He won't drink juice or Gatorade and just wants "wawa" but Popsicles are helping!
I think it is a stomach bug because he's also having some diarrhea. So next question for everyone is, is stomach bug a treat at home or a doctors office illness?
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My vote is treat at home as long as there are no signs of dangerous dehydration. Probably fine for a day or two if some popsicle is staying down. The doctor won't really do anything unless a child is dehydrated enough to need iv fluids.
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I'd offer water in a medicine syringe or cup. A teaspoon every 20 minutes.
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We dealt with this a couple months ago, it took down 3 out of the 4 of us in the house (pregnant me survived - yay!)
DS was the first to get it, quit eating mid-day Saturday, threw up Saturday night a few times, didn't eat Sunday except for some fruit, took him to the dr. Monday morning and by mid-day he was fine.Dr. said it was just a bug going around, we just picked up some Pedialyte to help with fluids. He really acted fine other than puking and not wanting to eat.
So I wouldn't take him in unless he starts to get really dehydrated.
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@josina: Good to know, I would definitely be more inclined to take him in but he's in good spirits.@MrsSRS: Thank you!
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@Jennibenni: if he just wants Popsicles you could by the pedialyte ones so they're even more hydrating.
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@Miss Ariel: we have pedialyte ones but he won't eat them. Actually I tried one and I think they taste like saltwater so I guess that's why.
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12 comments