Quick Home Remedies for Child Vomiting

Is your child vomiting? And you’re feeling lost, not knowing what caused it or what to do?

We’ve got you!

In this article, we've compiled a list of home remedies for vomiting, including potential causes, self-care measures, and when to seek medical attention.

Home remedies for vomiting in children

Rest and hydration

One of the first things you can do to prevent vomiting in the first place is to ensure your child is well-rested and sufficiently hydrated. Now, while encouraging your little one to take a rest when they're tired but are still busy playing is a challenge, keeping them hydrated is a bit easier.

At this age, you can start teaching them to recognize when they feel thirsty and to drink water whenever they experience this sensation. You can also help them develop a habit of hydrating by encouraging them to drink water before, during, and after physical activity.

Training them to always bring a tumbler with them will also serve as a helpful reminder to drink their water. Staying hydrated and well-rested is essential in preventing vomiting before it starts and is beneficial for overall health.

If they are already vomiting, even swallowing water can be hard, so encourage your kid to take small sips of water instead. Avoid soda or anything fizzy, powdered juices, and sugary sports drinks. Electrolyte drinks and oral hydration solutions are also great alternatives to water.

Having your child eat solid food after bouts of vomiting is NOT encouraged. Instead, here’s what you can do:

You can encourage them to take in small sips of clear broth or vegetable soup about 20 to 30 minutes after they have stopped vomiting to help with hydration. They may be able to swallow after vomiting, so a few sips every 15 minutes are sufficient.

If your kid vomits again, start over and wait another 20 to 30 minutes before attempting to get them to sip anything.

You can start encouraging your child to take in more liquids, such as an entire bowl of broth or a glass of water, tea, or an electrolyte drink, about 3 to 4 hours after vomiting. Vomiting expels liquids from your child's body, so it's essential to replenish what they have lost.

If your child hasn’t been throwing up for the past 8 hours, you can start giving them bland, easily digestible solid food that will be gentle on their stomach, such as:

• Lugaw
• Oatmeal
• Toast
• Cereal
• Crackers
• Mashed potatoes
• Lean meat without seasonings
• Non-acidic fruits like bananas or melons

After a full 24 hours of your little one being vomit-free, you can get them back to their regular diet!

Home remedies for vomiting in young children

Offer tea

Here are some teas that might help with vomiting:

Ginger tea and honey

Ginger naturally helps alleviate nausea and vomiting, but your child may dislike its taste. Adding honey can make it sweeter and easier for them to drink, eliminating the need for added sugar.

Honey also has antibacterial properties that could help if your little one is suffering from a stomach infection.

To prepare, grate a small piece of ginger and squeeze out the juice. Then add warm water and honey and have your child sip it slowly.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea helps alleviate vomiting spells by relaxing the digestive muscles and is beneficial in managing nausea, motion sickness, gas, and indigestion.

Peppermint tea

You may have already heard that mint teas are beneficial for nausea and vomiting. Peppermint tea helps with pain and relaxes the muscles in the digestive tract.

Peppermint tea is popular, which means it's readily available for when your child suddenly falls ill.

And if you have trouble finding the tea kind, having your child sniff peppermint oil can help in a pinch, providing them with similar benefits to drinking the tea version.

Give them treats

If your kid is refusing liquids, giving them ice chips is a good alternative. In a pinch, allowing them to have popsicles or gelatin snacks will also be better than nothing.

Make them wear loose clothing

You know how, after eating a big meal, you feel the need to loosen your high-waist pants or unbuckle your belt? The culprit of your child’s vomiting might be tight clothing around their stomach. And even if this isn’t the case, their upset stomach would still benefit from having enough room to breathe.

Loose, comfortable clothing will also help them feel more relaxed and at ease, as they won't have to worry about moving around in them.

Distract them

If you’re on the road and your little one is vomiting due to motion sickness, give them something else to focus on. Encourage them to read road signs and billboards or play I Spy!

Discourage screen time, as reading words on their devices might be the cause of their motion sickness.

If they are throwing up because they are sick, have them engage in a relaxing activity that requires minimal physical movement, such as reading, watching their favorite shows, or coloring.

Common causes of vomiting in young children

• Viruses
• Food poisoning
• Food allergies
• Stomach infections
• Infection in other parts of the body
• Motion sickness
• Gastroenteritis
• Common flu
• COVID-19
• Urinary tract infection

Children, with their still-growing stomachs and digestive systems, are more prone to infections, bacteria, and viruses. Pair this with them still not having their own personal hygiene routines down and developing immune systems, and you’ve got kids that are just more prone to sickness and the vomiting that comes with it. Vomiting in children isn’t always an emergency.

However, throwing up is sometimes a symptom of a more serious, underlying medical condition. And there are times when you do need to get them to the doctor.

When to get your child medical attention

Shows signs of dehydration such as:

• Dry mouth or dry lips
• Sunken eyes
• Not peeing as much
• No tears when they cry
• Being extra cranky
• Rapid breathing
• Dizziness
• Has fever, a rash, diarrhea, a headache, severe stomach pain, and acts confused
• Has been vomiting for more than 8 hours
• Has muscle stiffness
• Refuses to drink liquids
• Gets weak and their condition continues to worsen
• Vomits bile or blood
• You suspect they have appendicitis
• You are just very worried

Medical emergencies

Suppose you suspect your little one consumed poison, is suffering from appendicitis or meningitis, or is suffering from an allergic reaction. In that case, you need to take them to the nearest hospital IMMEDIATELY.

Poison control

If you suspect your child consumed poison or something harmful, you need to contact the National Poison Management and Control Center IMMEDIATELY through their 24-HOUR HOTLINE:

PLDT: (02) 8524 1078
GLOBE: 0966 718 9904

Symptoms of poisoning in children include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Seizures
• Breathing difficulties

In the case of poisoning, DO NOT attempt to make your child puke some more unless a medical professional specifically instructs you to.

Allergic reaction

Allergic reactions progress fast and can be life-threatening very quickly. Severe allergic reactions can lead to anaphylaxis, a condition that blocks the airways and prevents breathing.

You should call an ambulance for an emergency that progresses this fast.

Philippine Red Cross Emergency Hotline: 143
Lifeline Ambulance: 16911

Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• A rash
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the throat
• Wheezing
• Passing out

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an EMERGENCY. A burst appendix is a matter of life and death. If you suspect this is the case, take your child IMMEDIATELY to the nearest hospital.

Symptoms of appendicitis:

• Have worsening tummy pain
• Lose their appetite
• Vomit
• Feel uncomfortable when sitting upright or standing up
• Experience pain when moving — they may try to keep very still

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection that affects the brain, making it a matter of life and death. Call an ambulance or take them to the hospital.

Symptoms of meningitis:

• Vomiting
• Fever
• Headache
• A stiff neck
• Avoidance of bright lights (photophobia)
• Distinctive skin rash
• Crying a lot
• Being irritable

Read here for first aid techniques every parent should know.