A Parents Take on Rehydration After Vomiting

Sadly, it is flu season.  Especially the stomach bug.  Here’s the cycle.  Your child throws up.  You give them water.  They throw up again.  You take them to the doctor or the ER.  Things improve a bit.  Then the whole cycle starts again.  Virus, mixed with dehydration, can become a non-stop cycle of badness.

The doctors cannot do anything about viruses.  But, your child is still sick.

Here are a couple of reputable websites, talking about it:

Kids Health

Healthy Children.org

Scott and White Health Care

• Okay..so what do these sites not tell you?  As a 7 year vet of the flu, as well as a person who has been blessed with a great pediatrician, here’s what I’ve learned.
• If you’re in the cycle, you have to give the kid 30 mins before doing anything.  They will feel better.  You’ll want to rehydrate.  However, their stomachs won’t be ready for water.  It could upset it further.  Give them at least a 30 minute break.
• Even a three year old can take a gatorade/water mix.  Start really small..like a teaspoon (we use the little plastic glasses they give you with prescription meds).  Then a table spoon.  Then two table spoons.  We work our way back up.  The “shots” of 50/50 (gatoraide/water) can go every five minutes.  We use the stove timer.  It is annoying, but it has worked for us a dozen times over the last few years.
• If you go to an ER before trying the steps above, they will do a version of it.  Do the step above first.
• Ice cubes are like water.  Not tasty.  Very cold.  Overall, they’ve upset my kids’ stomachs.  I steer clear.  Gatorade (a flavor they like) and water mix seems to work the best.
• Aspirin is your enemy..it just makes matters worse
• The BRAT diet, once you get rehydrated is boring, but so worth sticking with until you are sure, really sure, you and your child are in the clear.
• You also should track their urination and tears for if things worsen.  I suggest writing them down, so you can remember.

Though personally not a medicine doctor, these steps are versions of the progression outlined by physicians. 

If you’re suffering through the flu, I am sorry.  Hopefully, these tips will help.