Diarrhoea & Vomiting

Vomiting and diarrhoea can cause your child to lose a lot of fluids. This can be very dangerous, especially in hot weather, or if they have a fever.

Diarrhoea

This is when your child’s stool becomes much waterier and more frequent than usual. There may be mucus or blood in the stool and it may be very smelly.

Vomiting

Almost all babies bring up a bit of milk without distress. This is normal. But if your baby is suddenly vomiting a lot more, or it occurs frequently over an hour or two, it could be something more serious. The vomiting may accompany other signs of illness, like fever or diarrhoea.

Tips for babies under six months

• Do not try to manage it yourself – contact your doctor right away.
• Continue to breastfeed (small, frequent feeding is recommended).
• If you are bottle feeding, stop giving formula. Instead, offer oral rehydration fluids or 50ml of boiled water, cooled to room temperature, every hour until you can see your doctor.

Tips for babies over six months

• Continue to breastfeed. You may also offer 50– 100ml of clear fluids in between breastfeeding.
• If you are bottle feeding, stop giving formula for 12–24 hours. Give clear fluids instead. When the vomiting and diarrhoea settles, or after 24 hours, recommence with the usual formula.
• If your baby is on solids, stop for 24 hours, then slowly re-introduce them, starting with rice, pasta, potato, toast or bread, or baby rice cereal. The aim is to return to a normal diet within two to three days of the illness settling.
• Do not give medicine unless instructed by your doctor.
• Give oral rehydration solution (electrolyte solution) which you can get at your pharmacy, either in liquid form or as sachets of powder that you mix with water. This helps to replenish important minerals such as sugar and salts.
• If oral rehydration fluid is not available, fluids such as clear (without pulp), unsweetened fruit juice or cordial may be used with caution.