What to do when toddlers vomit to prevent dehydration


Many newborns and infants bring up some food after a feed, which can be entirely normal, particularly if they are doing so with ease and are otherwise well. Also, you do not need to fret when your small child throws up more forcefully once or twice without showing any signs and symptoms of illness.

However, young children are at increased risk of losing too much fluid and becoming dehydrated if the vomiting persists, especially if they likewise have runny and frequent poos. The risk of dehydration is higher in newborns and in infants who don't drink enough fluid to replace the loss.

Persistent vomiting could be because of gastroenteritis - a contamination of the intestines (the gut), which in the UK is often caused by benign viruses or another bugs that are 'doing the rounds'. Symptoms include frequent runny or watery stools (called diarrhoea), abdominal cramps and often a fever.

Usually, gastroenteritis begins to improve by itself after a couple of days and need any particular treatment. However, the primary danger for your young child has become dehydrated, so you need to keep offering fluidbased feeds or water. Persistent vomiting can in rare cases indicate a more serious underlying condition. Here are a few potential causes to deal with in mind:

  1. Abdominal problems: If your newborn's or infant's vomit has a green or yellowish colour and she seems to be in pain with a tender abdomen, a more serious underlying condition may rarely be careful. See your doctor immediately for more assessment.
  2. Meningitis: Meningitis is really a rare condition caused by a viral or bacterial infection in that the skin around the brain becomes inflamed. Fever and vomiting are a couple of the main symptoms. If you suspect meningitis in your young child, consult your doctor urgently.
  3. Pyloric stenosis: In this rare condition, the bond between your baby's stomach and intestines is too narrow. An affected baby is generally less than two months old and seems to be constantly hungry. Vomiting larger amounts than is normal for a young baby after each feed is usual and sometimes the vomit arrives with considerable force. Consult your health visitor or doctor.

Signs and symptoms of dehydration

Dehydration is a lack of fluid in the body. Vomiting and diarrhoea can both cause dehydration and become warning symptoms that your child is in danger of lacking fluids. Reassuringly, most kids with diarrhoea and vomiting won't be dehydrated. However, check for an additional physical signs, which suggest that your young child might be struggling with dehydration and lacks fluids:


You can treat mild dehydration by giving your child more to drink, although not giving too little or too much fluid is essential. If you're concerned that your child is dehydrated, seek advice from your health visitor or doctor. Small children with more severe dehydration are at risk of becoming seriously ill.

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Note: This article was sent to us by: Emanuel Moreno at 03122011

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