Vomiting and Diarrhea: What to Feed and When to Worry
The stomach bug has hit your house. Between laundry loads, you're wondering: what can they actually keep down — and when should I worry? Here's the modern, evidence-based playbook.
Phase 1: Active vomiting — fluids only, tiny and frequent
When vomiting is active, pause solid food. Offer oral rehydration solution (Pedialyte), 1–2 teaspoons every few minutes by spoon or syringe. If it stays down for an hour or two, gradually increase. Most viral vomiting stops within 24 hours.
Phase 2: Vomiting eases — restart food (yes, really)
Once vomiting settles, feed them. Small, frequent, bland: toast, rice, bananas, applesauce, crackers, oatmeal, plain pasta. The strict BRAT-diet-only era is over — those foods are fine, but return to a normal diet as tolerated. Kids recover faster when they keep eating.
- Keep breastfeeding or formula-feeding. Don't dilute formula, don't stop nursing — offer more often.
- Avoid: sugary drinks, soda, sports drinks, undiluted juice (sugar worsens diarrhea), greasy or spicy foods until settled.
- Skip anti-diarrhea medicines in children unless a doctor says otherwise.
Diarrhea can linger — that's normal
Vomiting usually quits in a day; diarrhea can run 5–7 days. Annoying, not dangerous — as long as fluids go in and urine comes out. Track wet diapers and drinking; that's your scoreboard.
Red flags: when a stomach bug needs a doctor
- Green (bilious) or bloody vomit; bloody or black stool
- Severe or worsening belly pain, rigid tender belly
- Signs of dehydration: no tears, dry mouth, no urine 8+ hours, lethargy, sunken eyes
- Can't keep any fluids down
- High fever with severe abdominal pain
- Baby under 6 months with vomiting/diarrhea or poor feeding
More in our full vomiting & diarrhea guide and dehydration guide.
Frequently asked questions
Should I withhold food during a stomach bug?
Only during active vomiting — then fluids only, tiny and frequent. Once vomiting eases, restart bland foods in small amounts; children recover faster when they keep eating.
Is the BRAT diet still recommended?
BRAT foods are fine, but a strict BRAT-only diet is outdated. Return to a normal balanced diet as tolerated.
How long does stomach virus diarrhea last in kids?
Often 5–7 days. Call the doctor if diarrhea lasts beyond a week, vomiting beyond 24–48 hours, or you see any red flags.
Reviewed by Ali Ozcan, MD, MBA
Board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician and creator of ER4Kids. This guide reflects the same trusted, evidence-based guidance Dr. Ozcan provides to families in the emergency department.
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