Sleeping After Vomiting or Nausea
If you have vomited or feel nauseous after a heavy or late meal, rest safely, rehydrate slowly and know the warning signs. This is general information, not medical advice.
On this page
Feeling sick after a heavy meal? Learn how to rest safely after vomiting or nausea, how to rehydrate, how to sleep, and when to call a doctor.
Plan your night
Enter the time it ended and your alarm. The planner adds the wait you choose before lying down and shows the alarm times that end a sleep cycle.
The first hour
- Stop eating and let your stomach rest for a short time.
- When the nausea eases, start with small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution. Take a sip every few minutes instead of a large drink.
- Stay upright or semi upright. Sit in a chair or prop yourself with pillows.
- Keep a bowl or bucket beside you, and keep the room cool and ventilated.
- Avoid strong smells, greasy food, caffeine, alcohol and cold fizzy drinks.
- Do not take medicine without advice if you are unsure. A pharmacist or doctor can advise you on anti nausea medicine.
The stomach usually settles within hours after a rich meal or mild food upset. Sleep helps, but the body needs fluids more than it needs food tonight.
How to sleep safely when you feel sick
- Lie on your side, preferably the left, with your head and chest raised. This lowers the chance of stomach contents coming back up.
- Do not lie flat on your back if you feel you may vomit again.
- Keep water and a towel within reach.
- Have someone nearby if you feel dizzy, very weak or you are older, pregnant or have a long term condition.
- If you have had alcohol and feel very drowsy, do not sleep alone flat on your back.
Once nausea passes and you can drink, sleeping is usually the best thing. Wake time can be a little later than normal, but keep it within about an hour.
The next morning
Start with clear fluids and plain food, such as toast, rice, banana or plain yoghurt, once you can keep drinks down. Avoid oily, spicy or sweet food for a day. Drink regularly. Rest, and keep your morning light and gentle walk. Return to your normal meals gradually.
Vomiting is tiring and dehydrating. Dehydration causes headache, dry mouth and a pounding heart, which make it hard to rest. Replacing fluids slowly is the most useful step.
Common causes after a dawat
- Eating very quickly or overeating.
- A rich, oily or spicy meal late at night.
- Food that was left out too long, which can cause food poisoning.
- Alcohol or very sweet drinks.
- Acid reflux. See fix sleep with acid reflux.
- Stress, travel or a stomach bug.
Food poisoning often brings diarrhoea, cramps and fever along with vomiting. If several people from the same meal are ill, tell your doctor.
When to get medical help
Do not wait for sleep if you have repeated vomiting, vomit with blood or a coffee ground look, severe or worsening stomach pain, chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, a high fever, confusion, signs of dehydration such as very dark urine, dizziness or no urination for many hours, or if you cannot keep fluids down. Pregnant women, older adults, young children and people with long term conditions should get advice sooner. This page is general education and not medical advice.
Protecting your sleep over the next few days
Keep meals light and early, finish dinner two to three hours before bed, and use the bedtime calculator to get back on schedule. Review sleeping with gas and bloating and the heavy stomach guide if discomfort lingers.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to sleep after vomiting?
Usually yes once it settles. Sleep on your side with your head raised, and keep fluids nearby.
What should I drink after vomiting?
Small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution. Take them slowly and often.
How long should I wait before eating again?
Let the stomach rest for a short time, start with fluids and then plain foods when you feel able.
Why do I feel so tired after being sick?
Vomiting drains fluids and energy. Rest and hydration help recovery.
When should I see a doctor?
If vomiting is repeated, you cannot keep fluids down, or you have severe pain, blood, a high fever, chest pain or signs of dehydration.
When are stomach symptoms at night a reason to see a doctor?
Get medical help for severe or worsening belly pain, vomiting that lasts more than a day, vomiting blood, black or bloody stools, trouble swallowing, chest pain, a high fever or signs of dehydration. Frequent heartburn or bloating is also worth discussing with a doctor.
How many hours do teenagers and children need?
CDC guidance lists 8 to 10 hours for ages 13 to 18, 9 to 12 hours for ages 6 to 12, 10 to 13 hours for ages 3 to 5 including naps, and 11 to 14 hours for ages 1 to 2 including naps.
How do I move my bedtime earlier?
Shift it by 15 to 30 minutes every two or three days while keeping the wake time fixed, get bright light after waking and dim lights for an hour before bed.