Managing Gastro at Home: Fluids, Food and When to Get Help

Most people with gastro can recover at home. The most important thing is to keep up your fluids, because diarrhoea and vomiting can cause dehydration quickly. Small, frequent sips of an oral rehydration solution are usually the best place to start, and you can return to normal food as soon as you feel ready.

This practical guide covers fluids, food, caring for children and babies, and the signs that mean it’s time to get help. If you’d like to know more about what causes gastro and how to stop it spreading through your household, read our companion article, Gastroenteritis: symptoms, causes and how to stop it spreading.

Step 1: Keep up your fluids

Replacing lost fluid is the main treatment for gastro. Some tips:

• Sip little and often. If you’re vomiting, try a few mouthfuls every 5 to 10 minutes rather than a full glass at once. Gulping can bring on more vomiting.
• Use an oral rehydration solution if you can. These are available from pharmacies and supermarkets as powders, ready-made drinks or icy poles. They contain the right balance of water, salts and sugar to replace what your body has lost. Make up powders exactly as the packet says.
• Water is fine for adults with mild symptoms, along with other clear fluids.
• Avoid undiluted sugary drinks, such as soft drinks, cordial, sports drinks and fruit juice. Too much sugar can make diarrhoea worse. If a child won’t drink anything else, healthdirect suggests diluting juice (1 part juice to 4 parts water).
• Avoid alcohol and limit caffeine until you’ve recovered.

A good sign that you’re drinking enough is passing pale urine regularly.

Step 2: Eat when you’re ready

You don’t need to stop eating. Once vomiting has settled and you feel hungry, start with small amounts of plain food, such as:

• toast, crackers or plain bread
• rice, pasta or noodles
• bananas
• plain potato
• yoghurt, if it agrees with you

You may have heard of the “BRAT diet” (bananas, rice, apple and toast). These foods are gentle, but there’s no need to stick to them strictly or for long. Getting back to a normal, balanced diet within a day or two helps your gut recover. Fatty, fried, spicy or very sugary foods may be harder to manage for a few days.

Step 3: Rest and manage symptoms

• Rest as much as you need to. Gastro can leave you feeling washed out for a few days.
• Your pharmacist can advise on simple pain and fever relief that suits you.
• Over-the-counter anti-diarrhoea medicines are sometimes used by adults, but they aren’t suitable for children and shouldn’t be used if you have a fever or blood in your poo. Check with a pharmacist or doctor first.
• Probiotics are popular, but the evidence that they help gastro is limited. Ask your pharmacist if you’re thinking of trying them.

While you’re unwell, stay home and wash your hands well with soap and water to avoid passing the infection on.

Caring for a child with gastro

Children become dehydrated more quickly than adults, so fluids are especially important.

• Offer small amounts often. Try a few mouthfuls of oral rehydration solution every few minutes. A medicine syringe, a spoon or oral rehydration icy poles can help with a child who won’t drink from a cup.
• Breastfed babies should keep breastfeeding. Offer feeds more often. Your doctor may also suggest oral rehydration solution between feeds.
• Formula-fed babies can usually continue their normal formula. Ask your doctor before changing or diluting formula, and for advice on giving oral rehydration solution.
• Older children can go back to their normal food when they’re hungry.
• Keep track of wet nappies or trips to the toilet. Fewer wet nappies than usual is an early sign of dehydration.

Keep children home from childcare or school until 48 hours after their last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.

When children and babies need a doctor

Take your child to a doctor if they:

• are under 6 months old (healthdirect advises babies this young with suspected gastro should always be seen by a doctor)
• are vomiting most of what they drink, or refusing to drink
• are having fewer wet nappies than usual
• have a fever, especially if they’re under 3 years old
• have blood in their poo
• have stomach pain that is getting worse
• have had diarrhoea for more than a few days
• have another medical condition

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. You know your child best. For more on sick babies, read Common health issues in babies.

When adults should see a GP

See a doctor if:

• you can’t keep fluids down for more than a day
• you’re dizzy, very thirsty or passing very little urine
• you have a fever or blood in your poo
• your symptoms aren’t improving after a few days
• you’re pregnant, older, or have a condition such as diabetes, heart or kidney disease, or a weakened immune system
• you take regular medicines and are unsure whether to keep taking them while you’re unwell (some blood pressure, diabetes and kidney medicines may need adjusting during dehydration, so ask your doctor or pharmacist)
• you’ve recently been overseas

When to get urgent help

Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department if you or your child:

• is very drowsy, floppy, confused or hard to wake
• has not passed urine, or has had very few wet nappies, for many hours
• has cold, pale or blotchy hands and feet, or is breathing fast
• has severe or constant stomach pain
• is vomiting green fluid or blood, or has a lot of blood in their poo
• is a baby under 3 months with a fever of 38°C or higher

How Teldoc can help

If you’re not sure whether you or your child needs to be seen, our AHPRA-registered GPs can help by phone or video, 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm (Sydney time). Most patients are seen within 15 minutes. Your doctor can:

• talk through symptoms and check for signs of dehydration
• advise on fluids, food and what to watch for
• prescribe treatment if clinically appropriate, with an eScript sent to your phone
• arrange tests through our pathology referrals if needed
• provide a medical certificate or a carer’s leave certificate
• tell you if you or your child need to be seen in person

General consultations are $55 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and public holidays. Consultations for babies under 12 months are bulk billed with a valid Medicare card. See our fees page, or find out more about our online gastro consultations and help with nausea and vomiting.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best drink for gastro?

An oral rehydration solution from a pharmacy or supermarket is best, especially for children, older people and anyone with more than mild symptoms. Adults with mild gastro can usually manage with water and other clear fluids. Avoid undiluted soft drinks, cordial, sports drinks and juice.

Should I stop eating if I have gastro?

No. Once vomiting settles, start with small amounts of plain food and return to your normal diet as soon as you feel able. Breastfed babies should keep breastfeeding throughout.

How long does gastro last?

Vomiting usually settles within a day or two. Diarrhoea usually lasts a few days but can continue for up to 10 days. See a doctor if symptoms aren’t improving or you’re worried about dehydration.

When should I take my child to the doctor for gastro?

See a doctor if your child is under 6 months, is refusing to drink or vomiting most fluids, has fewer wet nappies, has a fever, blood in their poo, or worsening tummy pain. Call 000 if they are very drowsy, floppy or hard to wake.

Can I use anti-diarrhoea medicine for gastro?

These medicines aren’t suitable for children and shouldn’t be used if you have a fever or blood in your poo. Adults should check with a pharmacist or doctor before using them.

Sources and further reading: healthdirect: Gastroenteritis; healthdirect: Dehydration; healthdirect: Diarrhoea.

This article is general health information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your own doctor. If you’re worried about your health, speak to a GP. In an emergency, call 000.

Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan (MBBS, FRACGP), September 2026