Gastroenteritis (also called the "stomach flu") is an infection that causes vomiting (throwing up) and diarrhea (loose or watery poop). Many babies also have a fever with this infection.

Babies who have gastroenteritis lose a lot of fluid in their poop or vomit. This can lead to dehydration (not having enough water in the body).

To help prevent dehydration, make any diet changes and give breast milk, formula, and/or an oral electrolyte solution (such as Pedialyte®, Enfalyte®, or a store brand) as recommended by your healthcare provider. You can buy the oral electrolyte solution at drugstores or supermarkets without a prescription.

Here's how to care for your baby.

Feeding your baby:

• Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding your baby as usual unless they are vomiting repeatedly. If they want to feed more often or take more breast milk or formula, that's OK.
• If your baby doesn't seem interested in feeding, try breastfeeding or giving formula more often but for shorter amounts of time (5–10 minutes every 1–2 hours). You can also give formula or pumped breast milk with an oral syringe, a medicine cup, or a kitchen teaspoon. You can slowly go back to your usual feeding schedule as long as your baby isn't vomiting.
• Your healthcare provider may want you to give your baby an oral electrolyte solution in addition to their regular feeding. Use a bottle, a small cup, a spoon, or a syringe to give as directed by your healthcare provider.
• If your baby is eating solid foods, continue to offer their regular foods. As long as your baby is drinking, it's OK if they don't want solid foods at first.
• Make any changes to your baby's diet that your healthcare provider recommends.

If your baby is vomiting repeatedly, don't give them breast milk, formula, or solid foods. Give an oral electrolyte solution instead:

1. Start giving the oral electrolyte solution right away. Even if your baby just vomited, you should still start the oral electrolyte solution.
2. Give your baby 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 ml) of the oral electrolyte solution every few minutes. You can use an oral syringe, a medicine cup, or a kitchen teaspoon.
3. After 1 hour, if your baby is not vomiting, increase the amount a little bit and give 3–4 teaspoons (15–20 ml).
4. Continue to give this amount every few minutes for the next hour or two.
5. If your child vomits again, go back to #1 and start this process over.

Call your healthcare provider about what to do next. They may want to check your baby again.

Other important information:

• You will know your baby is getting enough liquids if:
  • They have a wet diaper every 4–6 hours.
  • Their mouth is moist.
  • They have tears when they cry.
• Give any medicines your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not give your baby medicines for nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so.
• If your baby is uncomfortable from fever, and your healthcare provider says it's OK, you can give acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often. Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.
• Don't give your child aspirin. It can cause Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
• If your baby already eats solids and hasn't vomited in 8 hours, offer small amounts of bland foods, such as cereal, crackers, applesauce, or bananas. If your baby drinks juice, start with watered-down juice at first. After 24 hours without vomiting, slowly go back to your baby's regular diet.
• Do NOT give your baby:
  • Plain water, sports drinks, soda, or full-strength (undiluted) juice
  • Diluted (watered-down) formula
• Keep your baby out of childcare until they have no vomiting, diarrhea, or fever for at least 24 hours.
• Wash your hands well and often. Viruses that cause gastroenteritis are contagious (spread from person-to-person).

Your baby:

• Starts vomiting again and again.
• Has diarrhea that gets worse or that lasts more than two days.
• Isn't back to their regular diet of breast milk, formula, or solid foods within 3–4 days.
• Is over 3 months old and has a fever. If your baby is 3 months or younger and has a rectal (taken in the bottom) temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, take them to the ER.
• Has black poop or poop with streaks of blood or mucus in it.
• Is crying a lot and can't be calmed down.
• Seems to have belly pain or other pain.
• Seems to be getting sicker.

Your baby:

• Isn't drinking at all or has signs of dehydration, such as a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, less pee or darker pee than usual, little or no tears when crying, or unusual sleepiness
• Is 3 months or younger and has a rectal (taken in the bottom) temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Is vomiting again and again, has vomit that's bright green, red, or brown, or has forceful vomiting
• Is crying a lot and can't be calmed down
• Seems to have belly pain or other pain

You know your baby best. If your baby seems very sick or has symptoms that worry you, call your healthcare provider or take your baby to the ER.

What causes gastroenteritis? Gastroenteritis happens when a germ (virus, bacterium, or parasite) infects the stomach or intestines. Viruses are the most common cause of gastroenteritis in kids.

How do oral electrolyte solutions help keep a baby hydrated? These solutions contain a balanced mix of water, electrolytes (sodium, chloride, and potassium), and sugars (glucose). They replace the liquids and electrolytes that a baby loses through diarrhea or vomiting. This helps prevent or treat dehydration and keeps the body's electrolytes balanced.

Does my baby need an antibiotic? Since viruses are the usual cause of gastroenteritis in babies, an antibiotic won't help your baby. Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria, not viruses.

How can we prevent gastroenteritis from spreading? To help prevent the spread of gastroenteritis:

• Have everyone in your family wash their hands well and often. They should wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer if soap and water aren't available. This is especially important after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, and before preparing or eating food.
• Clean tabletops, doorknobs, and other hard surfaces with a cleaner that kills viruses.
• Keep your baby out of childcare until 24 hours have passed with no vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. Also keep your baby out of swimming pools until 1 week after the diarrhea stops.