Vomiting may be due to a number of causes such as the child eating something that does not agree with him or over-eating, emotional upset or as a result of car or sea travel. Sickness frequently follows infections of the bowel (food poisoning ) but can also occur following infection elsewhere in the body, such as with tonsillitis or ear infection. Following a vomiting attack a child will usually appear pale and may feel quite cold but these symptoms settle quite quickly.

Travel sickness : Many children are prone to this condition. It is important to bear in mind that, in these cases, prevention is much more effective than cure. A wide range of suitable pills exists against travel sickness such as antihistamine preparations like Avamine and Dramamine. These should be given out half an hour before the journey starts and repeated every two hours as required in the appropriate dose. They all tend to make the child a little sleepy which can be an advantage.

Treatment of vomiting

The child should not be given any food for six to eight hours, but small quantities of clear fluid should be given every one to two hours or more frequently. As the vomiting settles, light food such as toast, cream crackers, etc. should be introduced before gradually getting back to a normal diet.