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Original poster

What’s your vomit protocol?

75 replies

flowagurl · 07/03/2023 18:10

DS (1) has just been properly sick again. The first time was a few months ago and … I didn’t handle it well.

How does everyone keep calm. Do you hug the sick covered child first then clear up? Is there an order/ any tips. What if you’re out and about?

I just feel so awful. I was knelt on the floor facing him and he started to wretch so I was pushed him onto the floor in an attempt to damage control. He was probably really sad and unwell and I just feel awful I panicked.

OP posts:
fairylies · 07/03/2023 18:14

I carry mine away from the carpets lol and then I take his clothes off and clean whilst soothing him saying it's ok. I then get spare towels and place it underneath wherever he is sitting or lying down so it catches it. I don't take him out though if he is vomiting but if I have to, I will take spare clothes, towel and wet wipes with me.

Theunamedcat · 07/03/2023 18:16

Teach him to vomit in the toilet its easier in the long run

littleducks · 07/03/2023 18:18

A vomit protocol? Don't think I was ever so organised just used to instinctively hold my hands out to catch it then kind of wish I hadn't 🤔would steer to the bathroom and away from carpets

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Theunamedcat · 07/03/2023 18:18

I wouldn't have pushed him away I would have turned him to face away and positioned him over the toilet or a towel bath or bowl if he is facing you it will get on you guaranteed

illiterato · 07/03/2023 18:19

My low point was when dd vomited in a taxi and I caught it in my handbag. Fortunately our passports and my phone were in a zipped pocket and escaped armegeddon but everything else was ruined.

AliceMcK · 07/03/2023 18:19

there was another thread recently, here you go, hope I copied the link properly

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4753783-please-tell-me-your-sick-bug-protocol?page=3&reply=124379971

Theunamedcat · 07/03/2023 18:20

littleducks · 07/03/2023 18:18

A vomit protocol? Don't think I was ever so organised just used to instinctively hold my hands out to catch it then kind of wish I hadn't 🤔would steer to the bathroom and away from carpets

A lady in the supermarket did this the look of regret on her face! I handed her tissues and found babywipes and said at least it wasn't on the food in the trolley 😂🤢

ItsJustASimpleLine · 07/03/2023 18:20

Carry child to bathtub with sick bowl, check they're OK, clean vomit from anywhere that will stain and make sure it can't soak into anything then back to the bathroom to hose down child.

Then pjs, sick bowl and towels everywhere ready in case it happens again.

changer7654 · 07/03/2023 18:22

For a one year old I'd cuddle quickly then clean up.
My low point was when my toddler vomited on my face while we were lying down.

Notjustabrunette · 07/03/2023 18:23

first move child to the bathroom, remove all sick covered clothes, wipe down child, put on clean clothes - all done while making reassuring noises. Then give hug. Instruct child to aim any more sick into toilet. Clean up any sick covered area. Move child into nicer area with sick bowl to hand.
Had a sickness bug in the house last week. This worked a treat.

Inastatus · 07/03/2023 18:24

My toddler DD once vomited in a bucket of Lego in a hospital waiting room 🤢

ValBiro · 07/03/2023 18:25

Move quickly away from soft furnishings including carpets and dunk in the bath. If they are old enough give them a bowl. Cuddles can come later!

If you are alone - tend to child first and clearing up the mess once they are settled.

If there are two of you - one of you quickly gets cleaning before any stains/hard to remove odours can set in. Try not to be sick.

The other person carries on in the bathroom. Peel soiled clothes off sad child and add to inevitable washing machine pile. Warm shower over body to sluice. Lots of soothing words.

Once clean, wrap child in towels and place in line of view if you are on your own so you can clear up the mess.

If you are not on your own, hopefully this has been done by the other adult. They have probably had a bit of a harder job than you at this stage!

DO NOT GIVE CHILD A LARGE DRINK TO GUZZLE DOWN. They might beg, but almost guaranteed they will vomit again straight away. Give them very small amounts of water at 20min intervals using a teaspoon or Calpol syringe until you are sure they can hold it down.

Your washing machine will get a good work out.

You might want to tag team having a wash yourselves now, whilst one of you cuddles and soothes sad child.

OneFrenchEgg · 07/03/2023 18:27

Notjustabrunette · 07/03/2023 18:23

first move child to the bathroom, remove all sick covered clothes, wipe down child, put on clean clothes - all done while making reassuring noises. Then give hug. Instruct child to aim any more sick into toilet. Clean up any sick covered area. Move child into nicer area with sick bowl to hand.
Had a sickness bug in the house last week. This worked a treat.

This is mine. And they are teenagers 😂

KievsOutTheOven · 07/03/2023 18:27

It depends what child. My eldest gets it in the toilet 80% of the time. She’s also the sicky one. When she’s unwell she gets a sick bowl but never uses it. If she’s sick on herself, I run her to the shower and leave her to clean herself while I clean the house up. She’s 7 though.

If the baby (1) is sick it’s usually on me so I go to his change table, strip him, wipe him, lie him down safe and verbally reassure (even if he’s still crying) whilst I strip off and sponge myself down with baby wipes. Then I usually give him a hug, reassure him, then clean the house (half naked usually) before I get everyone ready again.

Dacadactyl · 07/03/2023 18:29

When they were smaller I'd grab them and run them to the nearest sink/toilet/bowl and get them to do it in there. Then after they'd finish, I'd look after then first and clean them up, making sure they were calm and under a blanket or something.

Then I'd start cleaning up, if DH hadn't already started. So that would mean picking the lumps off the carpet/floor, then flushing them down the loo. Then I'd get the carpet cleaning liquid with brush attached and clean the carpet with it.

Bandanadrama · 07/03/2023 18:34

My 12 yr old has never been sick, even as a baby. I don't know how I'd handle it.

AnnaMagnani · 07/03/2023 18:38

Teach them to be sick in the toilet.

My DM taught me to be sick in a bowl. I still remember the distress when I had noro for the first time as an adult, was sick in the bowl and realised that my mum wasn't there to clean up for me. Nothing like clearing up vomit when you feel like death.

NewNameForXmas · 07/03/2023 18:40

I caught vomit in my cleavage once... that was bad.

HeyBearILoveYou · 07/03/2023 18:45

This will be outing to anyone who knows me (hopefully anyway, I pray nobody else has experienced this level of vom trauma)

DSD, who was 4 at the time, once vomited on me, whilst I was peeing, in a service station toilet. My jeans and knickers were round my knees, and that's where she aimed - and got a perfect shot.

She then puked in my handbag, opened the door, and made her way outside to her older sister (11 at the time) where she did it again on the floor - leaving the door wide open as she did so.

Once empty, she was fine. Asked for a happy meal afterwards.

So. My vomit protocol post that incident is, frankly, if I don't have to catch it in my pants, display myself on the toilet to a room of strangers naked from the waist down and covered in puke, then proceed to sit in it, in skinny jeans for three hours afterwards, it's all good!

DinosApple · 07/03/2023 18:46

Prioritise child, so soothing noises, clean child up, hand child to other parent if available, or put them somewhere easily cleanable, on bed with old towels/bath that sort of thing.

Then tackle mess. I always found it easier if they were sick onto something, either their own clothes, me or bedding. That's easier to scrape off (boak) and bung in the machine.
As they get older they can aim for a bucket or the loo.

Top tip have an old bucket in the bathroom with cleaning spray, wipes, old towel, bin liner etc to hand. Makes it a quick grab when it strikes suddenly.

Gindrinker43 · 07/03/2023 18:46

As the mother of a DC who has always been a puker, early training to use a sick bowl or the loo is essential. Also after the first time they are sick cover the floor and bed with old towels and move all toys and books out of range. My low point was having to shower with him when he was about 2 because we were both dripping in it. Thank goodness for hard floors

Favouritefruits · 07/03/2023 18:47

As soon as my kids say they feel sick I put the sick bowl next to them, they throw up in the bowl and I usually stroke their back and say nice things to keep them calm, I wipe their mouth with a wet wipe and pass them a drink whilst I clean up.

AndrexPuppy · 07/03/2023 18:49

@HeyBearILoveYou , I think you win

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 07/03/2023 18:50

Get them into the bath/shower as quickly as possible, strip them down, wash the sick off while stroking hair/calming him down.

Sick doesn't bother me at all but diarrhoea on the other hand... DH gets to deal with that.

DarkHorizon · 07/03/2023 18:50

Well mine is under 2 so I just try to get her off any furniture and gently moved to the tile or the bathtub. Let her get it all out while I try to soothe her and then clean up after while trying to curb their trauma. Not really much one can do at this age accept try to control the direction it’s fired in sometimes. 🤣