How do I know if my child is dehydrated?

Watch for fewer wet nappies or peeing less, dark or strong-smelling pee, a dry mouth and lips, few or no tears when crying, sunken eyes, and being more tired or irritable than usual. In babies, a sunken soft spot on top of the head is another sign. A child who is very drowsy, hard to wake, has cold hands and feet or is breathing fast needs the ER now.

What should I give my child to drink when they are vomiting?

Small sips often work better than big drinks: a spoonful or a few sips every few minutes, building up as it stays down. Keep breastfeeding or bottle feeding, offering smaller feeds more often. Oral rehydration solution from a pharmacy replaces lost salts as well as water and is useful if your child shows signs of dehydration. Avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks, which can make diarrhoea worse.

How long does a stomach bug last in a child?

According to the NHS, vomiting usually stops within 1 or 2 days and diarrhoea within 5 to 7 days. Get your child checked if vomiting lasts more than 2 days or diarrhoea more than 7 days, or sooner if they show signs of dehydration or can't keep fluids down.

Can I give my child medicine to stop diarrhoea?

No. The NHS advises against giving medicines to stop diarrhoea, such as loperamide, to children under 12. Fluids are the treatment. Paracetamol can help if your child is uncomfortable; check the dose for their age. Don't give aspirin to anyone under 16.

When is vomiting in a child an emergency?

Call 911 or go to the ER for green or yellow-green vomit, vomiting blood or what looks like coffee grounds, a stiff neck or dislike of bright light, a sudden severe tummy ache, a swollen hard tummy, severe drowsiness, or signs of serious dehydration. Vomiting after a head injury, or if your child may have swallowed something poisonous, also needs the ER now.

When can my child go back to school or nursery?

The NHS advises staying off school or nursery until at least 2 days (48 hours) after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea, because stomach bugs spread very easily. Wash hands with soap and water often, and clean toilets, door handles and taps every day.

Child Vomiting and Diarrhoea: Dehydration Signs and When to Go In

One child picks it up at nursery, and two days later half the household is being sick. Viral stomach bugs such as rotavirus and norovirus spread fast through schools and nurseries, especially in winter when children spend more time indoors together. The World Health Organization lists rotavirus and norovirus among the most common causes of diarrhoea in children under 5. Most children recover at home, but babies and young children lose fluid faster than adults. This guide explains how to give fluids the right way, how to spot dehydration, and when to see a doctor or go to the ER.

How to tell if your child is dehydrated

Based on NHS guidance, these are the signs to watch. The table helps you judge how serious things are:

Level	What you notice	What to do
Probably fine	Playing between bouts, drinking, wet nappies or peeing as usual, tears when crying	Home care, small frequent fluids
Getting dehydrated	Fewer wet nappies, dark or strong-smelling pee, dry mouth and lips, fewer tears, more tired or irritable	Same-day check; oral rehydration solution
Serious dehydration	Very drowsy or hard to wake, sunken eyes or sunken soft spot, no pee for many hours, cold hands and feet, fast breathing	ER now

How to give fluids to a child who is vomiting

Little and often: a teaspoon or a few sips every few minutes, building up as it stays down. Gulping a whole cup often brings it straight back up.
Keep breast or bottle feeding, with smaller feeds more often. Don't water down formula.
Sips of water between feeds for babies on formula or solid food.
Oral rehydration solution from a pharmacy if there are signs of dehydration; it replaces salts as well as water. Make it up exactly as the instructions say.
Avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks — they can make diarrhoea worse.
Food: when they feel like eating, offer their usual food in small amounts, avoiding fatty or spicy food.

Don't give medicines that stop diarrhoea to children under 12, or aspirin to anyone under 16. Paracetamol can ease discomfort, at the right dose for their age.

When to see a doctor or go to the ER

Call 911 for

A child who is floppy, not responding as usual, or hard to wake.
Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.
Severe difficulty breathing, or lots of quick, short breaths.
A fit (seizure).

Go to the ER / come in now

Green or yellow-green vomit, or vomiting blood or what looks like coffee grounds.
A sudden, severe tummy ache, or a swollen, hard tummy.
A stiff neck or dislike of bright light, or a sudden severe headache.
Signs of serious dehydration: very drowsy, sunken eyes, no pee for many hours, cold hands and feet.
They may have swallowed something poisonous, or they're vomiting after a head injury.

Same-day urgent care or doctor

A baby under 12 months you're worried about, or one who has stopped feeding.
A child under 5 with signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies.
Signs of dehydration that continue despite oral rehydration solution.
Vomiting again and again, unable to keep fluids down.
Bloody diarrhoea, diarrhoea for more than 7 days, or vomiting for more than 2 days.
A fever with vomiting and diarrhoea, and a child who looks unwell.

Home care is usually fine

A child who is drinking, peeing nearly as usual and playing between bouts.
Vomiting that is easing within a day or two.

With a fever, see our guide to child fever and what temperature is too high. If pain is more prominent than the vomiting, especially low on the right side, our guide to stomach pain and when to go to the ER helps you tell the difference.

What happens when you come in

The doctor assesses how dehydrated your child is by examining them and asking about nappies and fluids, and looks for any other cause of the vomiting or pain. They may order tests, and the laboratory is on site. Most children go home with a clear fluid plan; if your child needs treatment or monitoring that isn't available here, the team will arrange the next step. Urgent care sees children as walk-ins around the clock. For adults, our guide to food poisoning and when to go to the ER covers the same symptoms.

How to stop it spreading at home

Wash hands with soap and water often, especially after the toilet or nappy changes and before preparing food.
Wash soiled clothes and bedding separately on a hot wash.
Clean toilets, door handles, taps and surfaces every day.
Don't share towels or cutlery.
Keep your child home until 2 days after the last vomiting or diarrhoea.
The rotavirus vaccine for babies protects against one of the most common causes — ask your paediatrician.

Can't keep fluids down?

If there are signs of dehydration, or your baby is under 1 and you're worried, come to Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman — walk-in urgent care and emergency care 24/7, with an on-site laboratory and an Arabic and English speaking team. If your child is floppy or not responding, call 911.

Call us 24/7: +962 79 247 1313

Sources

Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 — +962 79 247 1313.