Norovirus in babies: What experts say

If you have ever found yourself Googling at 2 a.m., “How long does norovirus last?”, you are not alone.

In our detailed guide, “Norovirus in children: Symptoms timeline, peak, and recovery,” we broke down exactly when symptoms start, when they peak, and how long norovirus lasts in babies, toddlers, and older kids.

But beyond the timeline, you may still have more questions.

To go deeper, we spoke with Dr. Steven Goldberg, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer at HealthTrackRx, Dr. Nazima A. Zakhidova, MD, General Pediatrics, Primary Care Provider at Children’s Health, and Anabel Perez, CPNP-AC, El Paso Children’s Hospital to answer the most common follow-up questions parents ask after that first overwhelming night.

Here’s what they want every parent to understand about norovirus in babies.

Signs and symptoms of norovirus: Are norovirus symptoms in children different for babies, toddlers, and older children?

Babies and younger children tend to have more frequent vomiting, while older children may experience more diarrhea. 

Dr. Steven Goldberg says, “Norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in US children, with symptoms and severity varying significantly by age group.”

• Infants (<12 months): Diarrhea may last longer (average 3.2 days), sometimes 4–6 days. They are at the highest risk for severe dehydration.
  
• Toddlers (1–4 years): Vomiting is often the most prominent symptom. Diarrhea usually resolves in 1–3 days.
  
• Older children (5+ years): Illness is typically milder, lasting 1–3 days, with similar rates of vomiting and diarrhea. They may experience abdominal pain, headache, and muscle pain.

The biggest concern with norovirus in babies and toddlers isn’t the vomiting itself but how quickly dehydration can develop. As their bodies are smaller, they lose fluids more quickly. That’s why hydration becomes the biggest focus when a baby or toddler has norovirus.

Norovirus vs. rotavirus vs. food poisoning: What’s the difference?

Many parents searching for the symptoms wonder how to tell the difference between norovirus, rotavirus, and food poisoning.

“The definitive way to determine the cause is stool testing,” Dr. Nazima Zakhidova explains, “But we usually don’t test because symptoms improve on their own within 4–5 days and treatment is similar. Stool studies are usually sent for children with diarrhea lasting more than 8-10 days.”

Symptoms overview:

• Norovirus: Sudden vomiting, watery diarrhea, low-grade fever. Usually resolves in 1–3 days.
  
• Rotavirus: More intense and prolonged diarrhea (often >7 times/day). Higher dehydration risk. Now less common in the US due to vaccination.
  
• Food poisoning: Symptoms start quickly (within hours of a meal). Bloody stools, high fever, and severe abdominal pain suggest bacterial infection.

Dr. Goldberg notes, “Bloody stools, high fever, and severe abdominal pain are red flags for bacterial causes.”

If those appear, you should call your pediatrician.

What are the recommended norovirus treatments for kids?

There is no cure for norovirus. Norovirus treatment for kids is supportive care.

“The amount of liquid required per hour depends on age, weight, and severity of vomiting and/or diarrhea,” Dr. Steven Goldberg recommends.

What helps:

• Small, frequent sips of oral rehydration solution (Pedialyte, Ceralyte, Enfalyte).
• Water or electrolyte drinks to sip to your toddler and water, coconut water, or ice pops to your older child. 
• Breastfeeding or formula for infants
• Plenty of rest
• Keeping your child home to prevent the spread

What to avoid:

• Sugary drinks (juice, soda, sports drinks)
• Anti-diarrheal medications like Imodium or Pepto-Bismol in children

Dr. Goldberg emphasizes, “No antiviral drugs are approved or recommended for norovirus in immunocompetent children. Antibiotics are not helpful.” However, Anabel Perez suggests that anti-nausea medication like Zofran may be prescribed in certain cases along with ibuprofen or Tylenol for fever or pain. 

Note: Team Cradlewise always recommends consulting your pediatrician before administering any medication to your child.

When do symptoms peak and when should I call the doctor for my child?

Call your pediatrician immediately if you notice:

• Blood in stool
• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting preventing fluid intake
• High fever
• Lethargy or unusual sleepiness
• Signs of dehydration in babies with stomach virus, including no tears, fewer than 3 wet diapers in 24 hours, dry lips or mouth, sunken soft spot in infants, very little urination for older children.

Is dairy bad for norovirus?

“Avoidance of milk or dairy is unnecessary unless there is clear evidence of secondary lactose intolerance,” says Dr. Steven Goldberg.

Does BRAT diet help in norovirus?

The BRAT diet is an acronym for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, and is recommended for short-term relief of diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, as these bland, low-fiber foods are easy to digest and help firm stools. 

While Dr. Nazima and Anabel Perez recommend the BRAT diet as it can be a helpful starting point, as it is well-tolerated by children, Dr. Steven finds it restrictive and hence doesn’t recommend it. 

It is advisable to return to a normal, balanced diet as soon as tolerated, because the BRAT diet doesn’t have the essential nutrients to help the body heal.

How contagious is norovirus in children, and when can they return to school?

Dr. Goldberg explains, “Children with norovirus infection should be excluded from school, childcare, and swimming pools during symptoms and for at least 24–48 hours after symptoms resolve completely.”

Most experts recommend:

• Fever-free for 24 hours (without medication)
• No vomiting or diarrhea for at least 48 hours
• Drinking and eating normally

“Swimming should resume only after 2 days of symptom resolution,” recommends Anabel Perez.

Can you get norovirus twice?

Immunity is short-lived, and multiple strains circulate each year. By age five, nearly all children will have had at least one infection and many have more than one. 

Babies can get norovirus more than once. That’s why prevention remains essential:

• Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Washing clothes, bed linens, and towels on high heat
• Washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating
• Bleach-based surface disinfection
• Keeping sick children home
• Monitor your baby so that they do not put their hands or objects in their mouth

Conclusion

While norovirus recovery time in babies can feel long in the moment, most healthy children recover within a few days with proper hydration and rest. The key to win over the virus is preventing dehydration and knowing when symptoms cross the line from uncomfortable to concerning.

However, as reinfection with norovirus is common in children, it is recommended to stay vigilant with hygiene and illness precautions, even if norovirus has already moved through your household.

If you are interested in reading more in our “Ask the Expert” Series: 

• Ask the expert — Cluster feeding: How to tell if your baby’s really hungry
• Ask the Expert: What is measles, and how to protect your baby
• Ask the Expert: Can butter help babies sleep better? A viral trend, debunked by science

Sources:

1. Norovirus. CDC. 2024. Norovirus Facts and Stats.
2. Infectious Diseases. AMA. 2025. What doctors wish patients knew about the contagious norovirus.
3. Norovirus Virology. National Library of Medicine. 2018. Norovirus Illnesses in Children and Adolescents.