The Barfing Protocol
My kids are prone to barfing. They’re not only susceptible to whatever stomach virus might be running around, but if they skip dinner (which they periodically do, in protest of my healthy, whole-food meals) their blood sugar drops so far that they throw up the first thing they eat in the morning.
After the latest virus visited now-3yo Guppy and 5yo Drake, I joked I was an expert at the barfing protocol. “What’s that?” someone asked. I learned what to do from the handbook my pediatrician gave at the first visit. Once I got the hang of it, I appreciated how effective it was–it limits the duration of the bout to about 6 or 8 hours. Those 6 to 8 hours are yucky ones, but much better than if they’d lasted 12 to 24, which is common when fluids and food are given too soon.
1. Wait ONE HOUR after vomiting before offering fluids. Sooner, and it will come right back up.
2. Start with small, frequent sips of clear liquids, no more than 1 ounce every 30 to 60 minutes. It’s tempting to give kids as much as they want; this will only lead to further vomiting. As hard as it is, limit the amount and speed of what they drink as best you can. I set a timer in the kitchen, so the kids can count down. It lessens (somewhat) the whining, pleading, and arguing. Give water, Pedialyte, Gatorade, white-grape juice, lemon-lime soda or ginger ale. Growing up, my parents would give us Jello water–one packet in twice the amount of water called for. Try to avoid things sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, though, as it’s been shown to contain mercury.
3. Once vomiting has stopped for 3 or 4 hours, you can increase the amount of fluids.
4. After 8 hours, you may begin a bland diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, crackers, clear soups. Continue to serve tummy friendly foods for 24 hours after last vomiting.