What Food Should I Give to My Child After a Stomach Bug?

It's easy to feel helpless when your child is sick. Medicine and comfort are necessary, but a new routine following an ailment may also be required. Stomach bugs are common ailments among children. While maintaining your child's hydration and stopping her vomiting are proper first steps, learning what foods you should give your child after a stomach bug is equally important.

  1. Infants (Six Months and Younger)

    • Once your infant has made it eight hours without vomiting, it's time to begin re-introducing food. For infants six months and younger, this will most likely only include baby formula. The reintroduction of formula should begin with small amounts of it, approximately one-half to one ounce at more frequent than normal intervals. Should your infant be eating a baby cereal, reintroduce the cereal in smaller amounts as well. Gradually work your way up to normal feedings.

    Older Infants (Six Months to One Year)

    • With infants between the ages of six months to one year old, wait until your child has gone at least eight hours without vomiting before re-introducing food. Re-introduce formula by feeding approximately your child one to two ounces at more frequent feedings. You may also add very small amounts of soft bland foods such as bananas, infant cereals, crackers or baby food. Gradually work your way up to normal feeding routines.

    Children (One Year and Older)

    • Follow the same eight-hour rule if child is one year old or older, then begin re-introducing food after a stomach virus. Start with soft and bland foods in small amounts. Foods such as saltine crackers, toast, soups or broths, mashed potatoes, and rice are all good choices. If your child has tolerated small, bland meals for at least 24 hours, he may return to his regular diet. As for liquids, start with water in small amounts and work up to fruit juices. Avoid milk products for two to three days after the virus subsides.

    B.R.A.T. Diet

    • Doctors will often prescribe the B.R.A.T. diet for both children and adults following a bout with a stomach virus. This diet consists of a limited amount of soft and bland foods that will help to firm stools and replace vital nutrients lost during illness, including bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, crackers, boiled potatoes and clear broths. Dairy foods and foods high in sugar and fat should be avoided until the stomach has completely healed.

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