Q: My 7-month-old baby has a cold, fever, and is vomiting. Should I feed them formula, regular solid foods, or rice porridge?
- Myeongchan Kim, MD
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Medically reviewed by Sang Hyun Ahn, MD
Content edited by Myeongchan Kim, MD
This post is a dramatization of a question and answer session experienced by our actual medical reviewers. Please note that this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
Question:
My 7-month-old baby has a severe runny nose, a fluctuating fever, and is occasionally vomiting. For example, they threw up their daytime food in the evening. I am not sure what to feed them right now. Should I continue giving them their regular solid foods? Should I only give them formula? Or would it be better to just feed them boiled watery rice?
Answer:
It is completely understandable that you are worried, especially since your 7-month-old baby is experiencing a fever and vomiting on top of a cold.
Current Situation
Since your baby has a runny nose, fever, and occasional vomiting, it is highly likely that they have a viral cold accompanied by mild gastrointestinal irritation.
How to Feed Your Baby
Prioritize Formula: Reduce the amount given at one time (to about 2/3 of the usual amount) and increase the frequency to feed them smaller amounts more often.
Solid Foods: Rest their stomach for 4 to 6 hours immediately after vomiting. After that, if the baby wants to eat, start with a smaller amount and a more watery consistency than usual.
Formula + Porridge: While watery rice porridge is good, formula provides both hydration and calories. Therefore, it is safest to focus on formula while offering small amounts of watery porridge.
After Feeding: Hold your baby upright for about 30 minutes after they eat or vomit; do not lay them down immediately.
When to See a Doctor (Red Flags)
If you notice any of the following signs, please visit a pediatrician or urgent care today for a proper medical evaluation:
No urine for 8 hours or more (dry diapers).
Continuous vomiting to the point where they cannot keep any fluids down.
Breathing difficulties, such as breathing very fast or the skin under their ribs sucking in.
Lethargy, extreme floppiness, or an inability to make eye contact.
A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher.
Home Care Tips
Use saline nasal drops and a nasal aspirator to clear the runny nose, especially before feeding and before bedtime.
Slightly elevate their upper body while they sleep (you can place a folded towel securely under the mattress).
Give fever-reducing medication only if your baby seems uncomfortable.
Maintain the room humidity between 40% and 60%.
For today, try starting with small, frequent amounts of formula and a little bit of watery rice porridge. If the vomiting subsides, you can slowly return to their regular solid foods starting tomorrow. If you are unsure or if your baby's symptoms persist, please consult your pediatrician for an in-person evaluation.
For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.
