Your baby was vomiting (throwing up) and stayed in the hospital for treatment and testing. The health care team gave your baby fluids (either by mouth or through an intravenous line, or IV) to replace the losses from vomiting. They also checked your baby for different causes of vomiting. Your baby is no longer vomiting and is drinking well. No serious cause of the vomiting was found. You can now care for your baby at home. 

• Continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby as usual. They may not quite be back to taking their normal amount, but you will know they are getting enough liquids if:
  • They have a wet diaper every 4 to 6 hours.
  • Their mouth is moist.
  • They have tears when they cry.
• Do NOT give your baby:
  • Plain water, sports drinks, soda, or full-strength (undiluted) juice
  • Diluted (watered-down) formula
• If your baby already eats solids, you can continue to give them their usual diet. They may not eat as much as before they got sick, so you may need to give smaller amounts at first.
• Give any medicines as prescribed by your health care provider.
• Keep your baby out of childcare until they have their energy back and have had no vomiting, diarrhea, or fever for at least 24 hours.

Your baby:

• Starts vomiting again.
• 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.
• Is crying a lot and can't be calmed down.
• Seems to have belly pain or other pain.

Your baby:

• Is vomiting repeatedly
• Isn't drinking at all or has signs of dehydration, such as a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, or a soft spot on the head, more than 4–6 hours without a wet diaper, darker than usual pee, or crying with little or no tears
• Is 3 months or younger and has a rectal (taken in the bottom) temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Has vomit that's bright green, red, or brown
• Has forceful vomiting
• Is very tired and hard to wake up

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

Why do babies vomit? Vomiting usually happens in babies from an infection caused by a virus (a type of germ). The infection may also cause diarrhea and fever. Vomiting also can happen from formula or food allergies, gastroesophageal reflux (when liquids from the stomach flow backward up into the mouth), or, very rarely, a blockage in the intestines.

Is spitting up the same as vomiting? No. Spitting up happens when there is an easy flow of liquid out of a baby's mouth, often with a burp. Spitting up doesn't cause discomfort. Vomiting happens when a baby throws up liquid or solids forcefully. Vomiting is uncomfortable and often happens a few times.