The biggest danger from gastroenteritis is dehydration. Due to the vomiting and diarrhea, your child's body loses more fluids than it takes in. So the most important thing you can do is keep your child hydrate. Water is good, but in some cases, it may not be enough. It won't replace the important electrolytes (salt, sugars, and minerals) your child's body loses when it's dehydrated.
Drinks that do replace salt and minerals are called electrolyte solutions or oral rehydration solutions. You can buy them at your local drugstore. They can even be bottle fed to infants. Some sports drinks promise to replace electrolytes as well. They have a lot of sugar but are OK for most school-age children and teenagers.
Keep children away from milk. It can make stomach problems worse. Doctors recommend clear fluids. If you're the parent of a young baby, talk with your doctor about breastfeeding or formula. Drinks that have a lot of acid (orange juice) or caffeine can also cause belly problems and discomfort. Too much of even the right kind of liquid can make vomiting worse if given too rapidly, so take it slow at first and make sure it doesn’t make the problem worse. Try 1 teaspoon every 4 to 5 minutes.
