What to Do About Nausea
Helping your child feel better when they're feeling queasy
Understanding Nausea
Nausea or feeling sick to the stomach often happens before kids throw up (vomit). Young kids may not know that they feel nauseated, so they may say they have a stomachache or don't feel good.
Good news: Nausea is rarely serious and tends to go away after a child throws up or an illness has run its course.
How Can I Care for My Child With Nausea?
Diet & Food Tips
- ✓Serve a balanced diet, but don't force kids to eat
- ✓Encourage small amounts — Kids should eat and drink slowly
- ✓Avoid activity right after meals — Let food settle
If regular food makes nausea worse, try:
✅ Good Choices:
- • Plain toast
- • Crackers
- • Rice
- • Mashed potatoes
❌ Avoid:
- • Greasy foods
- • Fried foods
- • Sugary foods
Preventing Dehydration
Give plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration. This is especially important if your child has been vomiting.
✅ Good Drink Options:
- • Water
- • Watered-down juice
- • Soup
- • Ice pops
- • Gelatin
❌ Drinks to Avoid:
- • Carbonated drinks (soda)
- • Caffeinated beverages
- • Some coffees
- • Some teas
Rest & Comfort
- •Kids who feel nauseated often don't have much energy and want to just rest
- •It's a good idea to have a basin or bucket nearby in case they vomit
Important: Give nausea medicine only if your doctor says it's OK.
When Should I Call the Doctor for Nausea?
Call your doctor if your child has nausea and:
Also Call the Doctor If:
- •The nausea lasts for more than a week
- •The nausea comes back again after getting better
What Else Should I Know?
Learning what can cause nausea can help you be prepared if it happens.
Common Causes of Nausea:
Remember
Understanding the potential causes helps you know when nausea is likely just temporary and when it might need medical attention. Most cases of nausea in children resolve on their own once the underlying cause (like a stomach virus) runs its course.
📋 Quick Reference Guide
Do's
- ✓ Let child rest
- ✓ Offer small sips of fluids
- ✓ Serve bland foods
- ✓ Keep basin nearby
- ✓ Monitor symptoms
Don'ts
- ✗ Force eating
- ✗ Give greasy foods
- ✗ Offer carbonated drinks
- ✗ Give medicine without doctor OK
- ✗ Allow activity after eating
Watch For
- ⚠️ Repeated vomiting
- ⚠️ Severe pain
- ⚠️ Fever
- ⚠️ Dehydration signs
- ⚠️ Lasting symptoms