Vomiting in Infants and Children: Potential Causes, Home Care Tips, & When To Call a Doctor

Vomiting in infants and children is a common symptom that can stem from a variety of causes. Outside of being uncomfortable, vomiting in children is usually not a cause for concern. That said, it is important for parents and caregivers to understand the potential causes of vomiting in children, the home care strategies available, and when to seek medical attention. This article shares tips for parents on how to manage vomiting in children and when to call a doctor. 

Potential Causes Of Vomiting In Infants And Children

Vomiting is quite common in children, with many going through at least one bout of vomiting per year. Vomiting can result from a wide range of factors, many of which are benign and self-limiting. Some potential causes of throwing up in kids include:

1. Viral Infections: Viral gastroenteritis (often called the stomach flu) is a common cause of vomiting in children and is often accompanied by diarrhea and fever (1).
2. Bacterial Infections and Parasites: Bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, or Campylobacter — or even parasites from contaminated food or water — can cause food poisoning, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps (2).
3. Food Sensitivities or Allergies: Some children may vomit due to a reaction to certain foods, either from allergies (e.g., peanuts, dairy) or food intolerances. Sensory issues related to food textures can also cause vomiting in some children (3).
4. Motion Sickness: Car rides, plane travel, or other forms of motion can overwhelm a child’s inner ear balance system, leading to nausea and vomiting (4).
5. Respiratory Infections: Illnesses such as colds, flu, or even ear infections can trigger vomiting in children, often due to mucus drainage or coughing fits (5).
6. Head Injury: Vomiting after a head injury can indicate a concussion or more serious brain injury (6). Call a doctor if vomiting occurs after a head injury or if your child seems drowsy or confused, or if they exhibit any unusual behavior.
7. Migraines: Vomiting can occur with migraines in children (7), often accompanied by severe headache, light sensitivity, or dizziness. Call a doctor if the vomiting is persistent or the symptoms are severe and interfering with daily life.
8. Overfeeding or Reflux: In infants, overfeeding or gastroesophageal reflux (GER) can cause spitting up or vomiting, especially in babies under six months old (8).
9. Other Illnesses: Vomiting may occur as part of illnesses such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) (9) or strep throat (10). 
10. Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome: Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome involves recurrent episodes of severe vomiting that occur in predictable cycles, often with symptom-free periods in between (11). 
11. Rare but Serious Conditions:
    • Pyloric Stenosis: A condition in infants under 2 months causing projectile vomiting and requiring immediate medical attention (12).
    • Appendicitis: Vomiting with severe abdominal pain, particularly in the lower right quadrant, may indicate appendicitis (13).

Caring For Vomiting Infants And Children

In the absence of the warning symptoms listed below, vomiting is often self-limiting and can usually be managed with home care. The most important part of managing vomiting at home is avoiding dehydration. Below are some tips for caring for your vomiting child at home.

Keeping a Vomiting Child Hydrated

Vomiting leads to fluid loss, which can quickly cause dehydration in young children. Generally, if a child has diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating, it is a good idea to start using an electrolyte drink right away, before symptoms of dehydration appear. Mild to severe dehydration is a medical emergency.

• Maintaining Hydration in Infants: Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding in small frequent amounts. Wait about 20 minutes after an episode of vomiting to try feeding again. If your infant cannot keep breast milk or formula down for more than a few hours, vomiting is accompanied by frequent watery diarrhea, and/or you notice signs of dehydration — such as a sunken fontanelle, lethargy, dark urine or no urine in over 8 hours — it is time for your baby to be seen by a doctor. 
• Maintaining Hydration in Children: Offer small sips of water, herbal tea, diluted juices, or hydration drinks every 5–10 minutes. Popsicles can also help keep your child hydrated in a way that feels soothing and easy on the stomach. If your child cannot keep any liquids down for more than 8 hours, has persistent vomiting combined with diarrhea, or shows signs of dehydration — such as no urination in over 8 hours, dry lips, or extreme lethargy — seek medical attention.

To learn more about dehydration in kids and to get my homemade electrolyte drink recipe, see: Signs of Dehydration in Kids & Infants Plus Dr. Green Mom’s Homemade Electrolyte Drink Recipe

Soothing Your Child’s Upset Stomach

An upset stomach can make a child feel miserable. And while this is often a time to lean into the comforting thought of “this too shall pass,” there are definitely some home care tips that can provide comfort and help things pass more quickly.

Note: These remedies should only be used when age-appropriate. For young infants, the best approach to mild tummy upset is usually breast milk or formula for hydration, infant-safe herbal remedies, and skin-to-skin snuggles. 

1. Ginger: Ginger has natural anti-nausea properties (14) that can help calm the stomach. Offer ginger tea (cooled to a safe temperature) or herbal remedies that contain ginger. 
2. Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal may help bind irritants in the stomach (15). A capsule of activated charcoal can be opened and added into a drink of choice for children aged 1+. Be aware that activated charcoal can cause vomit to appear black. 
3. Herbal Remedies: Herbs like fennel (16) or chamomile (17) can provide gentle relief for occasional nausea and cramping.
4. Homeopathics: Remedies like Nux vomica or Ipecacuanha are commonly used to ease nausea and vomiting in children. Learn more about homeopathic remedies here: How To Use Homeopathic Remedies – A Quick-Start Guide For Families
5. Popsicles: Hydrating and soothing, popsicles can help keep your child hydrated while also easing occasional nausea. I recommend homemade popsicles over commercial versions that tend to be high in sugar. Get my favorite recipes here: Dr. Green Mom’s Healthy & Hydrating Popsicle Recipes
6. Rest: Resting in a dimly lit, cool, and quiet space can help reduce malaise. 
7. Cool Washcloth: A cool, damp washcloth applied to the forehead, back of the neck, or wrists can help reduce discomfort and soothe your child.
8. Essential Oils: Child-appropriate essential oils for commonly used occasional nausea include lavender, spearmint (or peppermint for older kids and adults), and ginger. These can be used in a diffuser or diluted with a carrier oil and applied to the soles of the feet or wrists. 

Your child may also have diarrhea. To learn more about managing diarrhea in kids, read this article: How to Treat Diarrhea in Infants and Kids

Mom Hacks for Vomiting Kids

Caring for vomiting kids is hard on us parents, too! Apart from the distress that comes with seeing your child feel unwell, it’s messy and often contagious! Here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way to make your family’s bout of stomach illness a little easier: 

• Layer bed sheets with waterproof protectors to make cleanup easier if vomiting recurs.
• Line a small trash can with a bag, a paper towel, and a glow stick to help make it easy to find at night.
• Cover the couch with towels and blankets for easier clean up. Towels can be thrown in the wash; the couch can’t! 
• Lot’s of hand washing! I like to keep a good moisturizing lotion nearby, because all the hand washing can be harsh for the skin.

To learn more about how you can support your sick child, read this article: How To Treat Viral Gastroenteritis (aka Stomach Flu) Naturally

When To Seek Medical Help For Vomiting In Children

While most vomiting resolves on its own, certain signs indicate the need for medical attention (18):

Frequent or Prolonged Vomiting:

• More than 2-3 episodes in 24 hours for infants
• Vomiting that lasts longer than 24 hours in young children

Dehydration Symptoms:

• Fewer than six wet diapers a day in infants
• No urination for eight hours in older children
• Dry lips, sunken eyes, or lethargy

Severe Symptoms:

• Vomit containing blood or vomit with a ground coffee appearance
• Severe abdominal pain or swelling
• High fever, stiff neck, or rash
• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in infants under 3 months
• Lethargy

Projectile Vomiting in Infants: This may signal pyloric stenosis and requires immediate medical attention.

Inability to Keep Fluids Down: Persistent vomiting that prevents hydration.

To learn more about dehydration in children, please read this article: Signs of Dehydration in Kids & Infants

Understanding The Difference Between Spit-Up And Vomiting In Infants

It can sometimes be hard for new parents to differentiate between spit-up and vomit in infants. Spit-up is common and typically harmless, involving small amounts of milk or formula that come up gently during or after feeding. It’s often caused by an immature digestive system or overfeeding and doesn’t usually distress the infant.

Vomiting, on the other hand, is a forceful expulsion of stomach contents, often with full-body contractions. It may be accompanied by crying, distress, or refusal to feed and could indicate an underlying issue if persistent or severe.

To learn more about this, read these articles: How to Manage Infant Reflux Without Using Antacids and Natural Treatments for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Kids

What To Do If You Suspect Your Child Is Vomiting Due To Food Sensitivities Or Allergies

If you think your child’s vomiting might be related to food sensitivities or allergies, it’s crucial to monitor for other symptoms, such as rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing. These signs could indicate a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention.

Identifying and eliminating potential triggers is the next step. Common triggers include dairy, soy, nuts, and gluten. Keeping a detailed food diary or conducting an elimination diet can help spot patterns that correlate with vomiting episodes. This can provide valuable insight into potential sensitivities or allergies. If patterns emerge, consult your pediatrician or an allergist for testing and guidance on managing your child’s diet.

To learn more about food allergies and sensitivities in children, read these articles: How to Conduct an Elimination Diet to Assess Food Sensitivities, Elimination Diet vs. Allergy Blood Test: Which Is Best For Assessing Food Sensitivities? and What Is FPIES (Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome)? How Is It Treated?

Tips for Recovering from a Stomach Illness

After vomiting stops, the focus should shift to replenishing fluids, restoring energy, and supporting gut health:

1. Rehydrate: Encourage plenty of fluid intake in the days following your child’s gastro-intestinal illness.
2. Reintroduce Foods Gradually: Start with bland, easy-to-digest foods before progressing back to a normal diet.
3. Rest the Digestive System: Avoid spicy and greasy foods, and consider avoiding dairy products temporarily if they seem to worsen symptoms.
4. Support Gut Health: Probiotic-rich foods or supplements, mucilaginous herbs, and gut-loving foods, like bone broth, can help restore the gut microbiome.

For more in depth information on restoring gut health after gastrointestinal illness, read this article: How To Treat Viral Gastroenteritis (aka Stomach Flu) Naturally

Summary

Vomiting in infants and children is a common symptom with a variety of causes, including viral and bacterial infections, food sensitivities, motion sickness, or conditions like reflux or appendicitis. While most cases resolve on their own, proper home care is essential for ensuring comfort and preventing dehydration. Hydration is especially key, with breastfeeding and formula feeding being the best way to maintain hydration in infants, and popsicles, electrolyte drinks, and herbal teas working well for older children. Other home care remedies for nausea and vomiting include herbs like ginger, fennel, and chamomile; homemade popsicles; homeopathy; and plenty of rest. 

Parents should watch for warning signs like persistent vomiting, dehydration, or severe symptoms, like projectile vomiting or abdominal pain which may require medical attention. 

Recovery post-vomiting focuses on rehydration, gentle nutrition, and gut health support. By staying attentive to symptoms and applying supportive care, parents can help their child recover comfortably and safely.

References: 

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