What parents should know
Preventing dehydration
Offer frequent small amounts of oral rehydration solution and continue breastfeeding. If a child vomits, pause briefly and restart with smaller, more frequent sips. Avoid giving anti-diarrheal medicines unless a qualified clinician specifically recommends them.
- Frequent small sips
- Continue breastfeeding and suitable foods
- Track urine, vomiting and stool frequency
When a clinic review is useful
Assessment is important for persistent symptoms, repeated vomiting, blood in stool, significant abdominal pain, fever, poor intake or concerns about weight and nutrition. Babies and children with other health conditions may need earlier review.
Protecting the household
Handwashing, safe drinking water, clean food preparation and separate towels can reduce spread. Keep the child away from food preparation while diarrhea continues.
Home hydration checklist
Work through these points while caring for a child with diarrhea or vomiting at home. Tick items as you confirm them — nothing is saved.
This checklist is educational support for home care. It is not a dosing calculator and it cannot tell you whether a child is dehydrated. A child who cannot keep fluids down, passes very little urine, or becomes drowsy needs medical assessment without delay.
Seek urgent medical care now if
- • Very sleepy, confused, weak or difficult to wake
- • No urine for many hours, very dry mouth, sunken eyes or inability to drink
- • Blood in stool, green vomit, severe persistent pain or a swollen abdomen
- • Breathing difficulty, seizures or rapidly worsening illness
Do not wait for an online reply or routine clinic appointment when a child has emergency warning signs.
See all emergency red flagsThis information is for general parent education and does not replace examination, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified medical professional. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency department rather than waiting for a clinic or online appointment.