Baby gastroenteritis: the stomach bug, feeding through it, and recovery

Q: Should I stop breastfeeding during a stomach bug?

No. Continue breastfeeding through gastroenteritis. NHS and WHO both recommend this. Breastmilk provides antibodies that help your baby fight the infection and is an excellent source of fluid and nutrition. Feed more frequently if your baby is vomiting.

Q: Can babies have rehydration sachets?

Oral rehydration sachets (such as Dioralyte) can be given on medical advice. In most mild cases of gastroenteritis, breastmilk or formula is sufficient. If your GP or 111 advises ORS, use the infant formulation and follow the instructions carefully for your baby's weight.

Q: How long does gastroenteritis last in babies?

Vomiting usually lasts one to two days. Diarrhoea can continue for five to seven days, and loose stools may linger for a week or two after the acute illness. This is normal and does not mean there is a persistent infection.

Q: What can I feed my baby with gastroenteritis?

Continue breastmilk or formula. If your baby is eating solids, offer bland, easy foods they usually enjoy. There is no need to restrict to specific foods. Appetite often reduces during illness, which is normal. Small, frequent amounts work better than large feeds.

Q: Is gastroenteritis contagious from babies to adults?

Yes. It spreads very easily through contaminated hands, surfaces and nappy contents. Thorough handwashing with soap and water (not just hand gel) is the most effective protection. Adults can catch both rotavirus and norovirus from infected babies.

0–3 years · Health · Updated July 2026 · All articles

A stomach bug in a baby is one of those illnesses that tends to arrive fast and feel alarming. The vomiting, the diarrhoea, the worry about whether they are drinking enough: it is a lot to handle, especially in the middle of the night. The good news is that most cases of gastroenteritis in babies resolve on their own within a week, and what you do at home, particularly around feeding, makes a real difference to how your baby copes.

What is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. In babies it is most often caused by viruses, particularly rotavirus and norovirus, though bacterial infections from contaminated food or water can also be responsible. It is extremely common: most babies have at least one episode in their first two years of life, according to NHS figures. The body fights it off, and the immune system comes out stronger for it.

How the illness unfolds

Gastroenteritis typically starts with vomiting, which is often sudden and can be severe in the first 24 hours. Diarrhoea then follows, sometimes overlapping with the vomiting phase. A low fever is common and is simply the immune system doing its job. The vomiting usually settles within one to two days, but the diarrhoea can last five to seven days, or even a little longer in younger babies. This is a normal timeline and does not mean your baby is getting worse. Knowing what to expect helps you stay calm and watch for the signs that actually matter.

Feeding through the illness

This is the area where parents feel most uncertain, and the most important message is simple: do not stop feeding.

If you are breastfeeding, continue to feed on demand and offer the breast more frequently if your baby is vomiting. Breastmilk provides antibodies that actively help your baby fight the infection, as well as fluid and calories they need to recover.
If your baby is formula-fed, continue formula but offer smaller amounts more often rather than full-size feeds. This is gentler on a queasy stomach.
If your baby is eating solids, offer small amounts of foods they usually like and enjoy. There is no need to restrict to specific bland foods. Appetite will be reduced and that is completely normal during illness.

Stopping feeds entirely is not recommended and can worsen dehydration, which is the main risk of this illness. Small and frequent is the approach that works.

Fluids and rehydration

Keeping your baby hydrated is the most important thing you can do. In babies under 12 months, breastmilk or formula should be your primary fluid. In older babies and toddlers, water can be offered freely between feeds. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS such as Dioralyte) may be recommended by your GP or 111 for babies who are showing early signs of dehydration, and they work by replacing the salts and sugars the body loses through vomiting and diarrhoea.

Avoid sports drinks, fruit juice, and undiluted squash. These are high in sugar and can actually make diarrhoea worse rather than helping.

What not to give

A few things that parents sometimes reach for are not appropriate for babies and young children:

Anti-diarrhoea medicines such as loperamide are not safe for babies or children under 12 years and should never be given
Sports drinks or fruit juices as a main rehydration fluid, as the sugar content worsens diarrhoea
Cow's milk as a primary rehydration fluid, though it is fine as part of your baby's normal diet as they recover

Infant paracetamol or ibuprofen can be given for fever or discomfort according to your baby's age and weight, but they will not shorten the illness itself. Always follow the dosing instructions on the packaging.

Preventing spread: hygiene in the home

Gastroenteritis is highly contagious and spreads easily in households with babies. A few habits make a significant difference:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after every nappy change and before preparing any food; alcohol hand gels are less effective against norovirus than soap and water
Wash soiled clothing and bedding on the highest temperature that is safe for the fabric
Infected babies and children should stay away from nursery for 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea
Adults who are caring for a sick baby and then preparing food should be especially careful about hand hygiene, as they can easily pass the infection on

Rotavirus vaccine

The rotavirus vaccine is offered to all babies in the UK as part of the routine immunisation schedule. It is given as oral drops at eight weeks and 12 weeks. According to NHS data, it has significantly reduced hospital admissions for severe gastroenteritis in young babies since its introduction. If your baby has had both doses, they have meaningful protection against the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants, though it does not protect against all strains or other causes such as norovirus.

When to see a doctor

Most cases of gastroenteritis can be managed at home. Contact your GP or call 111 if:

Your baby is under three months and has vomiting or diarrhoea
You can see signs of dehydration: fewer wet nappies than usual, a sunken fontanelle (soft spot on the top of the head), no tears when crying, dry mouth, or your baby seeming unusually lethargic
There is blood in the diarrhoea
The diarrhoea is not improving after seven days
Your baby has a high fever (over 38°C in babies under three months, or over 39°C in older babies)
Your baby is not keeping any fluids down after six to eight hours

Call 999 or go to A&E if your baby shows signs of severe dehydration: extreme limpness, very sunken eyes and fontanelle, no urine output, or no response to you. These are emergencies.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stop breastfeeding during a stomach bug?

No. Continue breastfeeding through gastroenteritis. Both NHS and WHO recommend this clearly. Breastmilk provides antibodies that help your baby fight the infection, as well as fluid and nutrition that are hard to replace. Offer feeds more frequently if your baby is vomiting, to help replace lost fluids little and often.

Can babies have rehydration sachets?

Oral rehydration sachets such as Dioralyte can be given on medical advice. In most mild cases, breastmilk or formula is sufficient. If your GP or 111 advises ORS, use the infant formulation and follow the instructions carefully for your baby's weight. Do not guess the dose.

How long does gastroenteritis last in babies?

Vomiting usually settles within one to two days. Diarrhoea can continue for five to seven days, and loose or more frequent stools may linger for a week or two after the acute illness. This is a normal part of recovery and does not mean there is a persistent infection. If diarrhoea continues beyond two weeks, contact your GP.

What can I feed my baby with gastroenteritis?

Continue breastmilk or formula as your main fluid. If your baby is eating solids, offer small amounts of foods they usually enjoy. There is no need to restrict to specific foods or follow a bland diet. Appetite often reduces during illness, which is completely normal. Offer little and often rather than large amounts.

Is gastroenteritis contagious from babies to adults?

Yes, and it spreads very easily through contaminated hands, surfaces and nappy contents. Thorough handwashing with soap and water (not just hand gel, which is less effective against norovirus) is the best protection. Adults regularly exposed to a baby's nappies are at real risk of catching the infection themselves.

When does gastroenteritis need hospital?

Go to A&E or call 999 if your baby has signs of severe dehydration: a very dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes and fontanelle, very dark or no urine, extreme lethargy, or no response to you. Also go urgently if there is blood in the stool, or if your baby is under three months and deteriorating quickly. Call 111 if you are worried but your baby does not seem to be in immediate danger.

Track nappies, feeds and symptoms through every stomach bug

Cubby makes it easy to log what your baby is eating and how many wet nappies they are having, so you can spot dehydration before it gets serious and have the answers your doctor needs.

Start free