My Baby Has Norovirus (Stomach Bug)
The short answer
Norovirus, commonly called the stomach bug or stomach flu, causes sudden vomiting, watery diarrhea, and sometimes fever and stomach cramps. It is extremely contagious and is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children. The illness usually lasts one to three days, and the primary concern is preventing dehydration through frequent small sips of fluids or oral rehydration solution.
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By Age
What to expect by age
0-6 months
Norovirus in very young babies can be serious because they dehydrate quickly. Symptoms typically begin suddenly with forceful vomiting followed by watery diarrhea. Breastfed babies have some protection through antibodies in breast milk, but can still get infected. Continue breastfeeding frequently in small amounts. If your baby is formula fed, offer small, frequent feeds. Contact your pediatrician if your baby under six months develops vomiting and diarrhea.
6-12 months
Babies in this age range are increasingly exposed to norovirus through daycare, play groups, and touching contaminated surfaces. The illness typically starts with vomiting that lasts one to two days, followed by diarrhea that may continue for a few more days. Offer breast milk, formula, or an oral rehydration solution in small amounts every few minutes. Avoid giving plain water as the sole fluid replacement, as babies also need electrolytes.
12-24 months
Toddlers with norovirus may vomit frequently for the first 12 to 24 hours, then transition to diarrhea. They may refuse food, which is fine temporarily as long as they are drinking fluids. Start with small sips of oral rehydration solution every five minutes and gradually increase as tolerated. Once vomiting subsides, offer bland foods in small amounts. The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is no longer specifically recommended, but these foods are easy on the stomach.
24-36 months
Older toddlers can usually communicate that they feel nauseated or have a stomach ache, which helps with management. Norovirus at this age is unpleasant but usually resolves within one to three days. Keep your child home from daycare until at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve, as they remain contagious. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, as alcohol-based sanitizers are less effective against norovirus.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your child has one to three days of vomiting and diarrhea but is able to keep some fluids down and has adequate wet diapers
- Your child's appetite is poor during the illness but they are gradually improving and starting to eat again
- Your child has mild stomach cramps that resolve as the illness passes
- Your child is tired and clingy during the illness but is alert when awake and becoming more active each day
- Vomiting or diarrhea persists beyond three days without improvement
- Your child has a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius) that is not responding to fever-reducing medication
- Your baby shows signs of dehydration: fewer than six wet diapers in 24 hours, no tears when crying, dry cracked lips, sunken eyes or fontanelle, or extreme drowsiness
- Your child cannot keep any fluids down for more than eight hours, vomit contains blood or green bile, or your child seems confused or unusually difficult to wake
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
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Related Digestive Concerns
My Baby's Belly Looks Swollen
A rounded, slightly protruding belly is completely normal in babies and toddlers due to immature abdominal muscles and their proportionally larger organs. However, if the belly becomes suddenly swollen, feels hard and tight, or is accompanied by pain, vomiting, or changes in bowel movements, it needs medical evaluation as it could signal gas buildup, constipation, or rarely, something more serious.
My Baby Has an Anal Fissure (Blood When Pooping)
A small streak of bright red blood on the surface of your baby's stool or on the diaper is most commonly caused by an anal fissure, which is a tiny tear in the skin around the anus from passing hard stool. Anal fissures are very common in babies and toddlers and usually heal on their own with simple measures like keeping stools soft. While this is rarely serious, any blood in your baby's stool should be mentioned to your pediatrician.
Tummy Massage for Baby Gas
Gentle abdominal massage can help relieve gas and discomfort in babies by encouraging gas to move through the intestines. The technique involves gentle clockwise circular motions on the belly (following the direction of the digestive tract), the "I Love U" stroke pattern, and gentle knee-to-tummy movements. Massage also provides comforting touch that can soothe a fussy baby.
Silent Reflux in Baby
Silent reflux occurs when stomach acid rises into the esophagus and throat but is swallowed back down rather than spit up. Babies with silent reflux may be fussy during or after feeds, arch their back, have hoarse crying, or refuse to eat, but without visible spitting up. It can be harder to diagnose than typical reflux because there is no obvious spit-up.
Bicycle Legs Technique for Gas
Bicycle legs is a simple, effective technique for helping babies pass trapped gas. Gently moving your baby's legs in a cycling motion pushes against the abdomen and helps gas move through the intestines. Combined with gentle belly massage and tummy time, it is one of the best non-medical approaches to gas relief in infants.
Dark Blood in Baby's Stool
Dark or black blood in stool (melena) is different from bright red blood and may indicate bleeding from the upper digestive tract (stomach or upper intestine). In newborns, black stools in the first few days (meconium) are normal. Beyond the first week, dark, tarry, or coffee-ground-like material in stool needs prompt medical evaluation. Some dark-colored foods and iron supplements can also darken stools without being blood.