Sick Toddler - Santa Clara,CA

Could be a lingering virus, could be a second illness on top of an already compromised immune system from the first one. Could be aggravated by some allergies with post-nasal drip which can upset the stomach. Could be any of a number of immune system weaknesses (which most of us have unless we do something concrete to strengthen it) - most of these center in the digestive system.

Hydration is really important. Throwing up causes a loss of fluids of course, but low blood sugar from constant vomiting can itself cause nausea. Think of pregnant women with morning sickness - they get sick precisely because they have been sick. The balance of sugars and salt and water gets all messed up and the whole thing is just an ongoing cycle. Your son may be trapped in a similar "hamster wheel" of going nowhere.

I hydrate adults and kids with a highly absorbable drink (great for sports but great for everyone including kids and pregnant and nursing women) that gets into the cells and isn't just eliminated through urination. I use the regular drink but I also have people freeze it into popsicles which is a good way for sick kids and pregnant women to suck on it slowly but constantly. I also strengthen the immune systems. You could also try something available in the supermarkets although I find they aren't as reliable because they haven't gone through the testing required to get a patent.

Also, what's on the bland diet? There could be something in there that's throwing things off. Just because it seems bland and not spicy doesn't mean it's easy to digest. And if you're giving him anything that has emulsifiers in it (such as in many liquids to keep them from separating), that's a huge problem for a lot of people. That's one of the big problems with those heavily advertised protein shakes and drinks like Boost and Ensure - just a nightmare for most people to manage, especially those who are elderly or who have been sick.

Sometimes the bug doesn't completely leave, and keeps coming back. Have you given him probiotics?

Our pediatritian once told us that once a gut gets irritated it sometimes stays irritated for a long time after the initial source of irritation has resolved itself.
Go much slower on returning to regular foods.
Stay on bland diet for a week then only add one normal food back in per week.
Most important thing is to stay hydrated and keep electrolytes balanced.

Some stomach viruses do take a long time to get out of the system. But I would be recording everythiing he takes in - all foods, all liquids. You need to be sure he is not dehydrating because kids his age dehydrate VERY quickly and before you realize it's happening; and dehydration can damage his kidneys and more.

Call the doctor's office now and ask them: How many wet diapers should he be having in each 8-hour period? How much liquid should he take in? If he vomits more than X times over a period of Y hours is it time to get him rehydrated at an urgent care center or a hospital? These are the kinds of things our dr. told us when our daughter was vomiting frequently at age two and a half and we did end up taking her for IV rehydration. Information is your friend here - get your doctor to tell you all this.

I would take him in to the dr. today just to have the dr. examine him for hydration - the dr. can do nothing about a virus BUT can see if he appears dehydrated. Your son can be playing and energetic and still in the start of dehydration IF he isn't keeping down enough liquid.

It could be another illness and just crappy timing following the first one. Just watch to make sure he's peeing so that you'll know that he's getting enough fluids. Switch him back to the bland diet and then start adding in foods a little at a time. It could be a food allergy causing the vomiting.

could be an allergy , usually the first sign of an allergy in children is an upset tummy ie..they throw up. sit down and spend the next 24 hours writing down everything the kid eats, then see if and when the kid throws up, chances are good, the last thing the kid ate before getting sick, was what made the kid throw up..this is how we discovered our daughter was allergic to red food dye, though thankfully she seems to have outgrown it K. h.