A stomach illness can disrupt feeds quickly. These scenarios focus on ordinary feeding decisions and clear reasons to get help.

Keep formula at the normal strength

Continue breast or bottle feeds; smaller, more frequent feeds may help. Do not dilute formula to treat diarrhoea.

THE POINT TO REMEMBER

Weaker formula is not the recommended response to a stomach bug.

Sources: NHS · Diarrhoea and vomiting ↗

Get help when fluids will not stay down

Repeated vomiting with inability to keep fluids down needs urgent advice. Watch feeding and wet nappies as well.

THE POINT TO REMEMBER

Inability to retain fluids raises concern about dehydration.

Sources: NHS · Diarrhoea and vomiting ↗

Treat green vomit as an emergency sign

Yellow-green or green vomit in a child requires emergency assessment rather than routine observation at home.

THE POINT TO REMEMBER

Green vomit is an emergency warning sign in NHS guidance.

Sources: NHS · Diarrhoea and vomiting ↗

Read it. Try it. Come back to why.

Original reflection: imagine handing over care to another adult. What would you tell them about feeds, wet nappies, and the last episode of vomiting?

Practise all 3 questions →