Vomiting in Babies: What's Normal and What's Not?

What causes a baby to vomit? When should I worry about baby vomiting? How can I stop my baby from vomiting?

But, one day while Emily was not at home, David did not realise that he had overfed the baby. This led to vomiting. Seeing their son continuously vomit made David extremely worried as he did not know what to do and could not fathom why the baby was vomiting!

Like David, many people tend to over-feed their baby without realising it, which can lead to vomiting. A vomiting baby is rarely fine. After feeding, a bit of vomiting is observed commonly among most babies, especially if the food is heavy and if they are unable to digest it. At times, they tend to spit out the food if they do not like it or if they are not willing to eat it.

Reflux vomiting and projectile vomiting are common, and we at theAsianparent will try to explain more about them in detail.

Vomiting in Babies

Babies are known to vomit from birth to 12 months old; it’s just one of their design features. Even though vomiting is common, it can still worry parents. Vomiting can occasionally be a symptom of illness or complications, but for the majority of babies, reflux and vomiting just happen because their guts are still growing.

Vomiting is when stomach contents are thrown up with force. The majority of children occasionally vomit, but it usually doesn’t last long and usually gets better on its own.

Types of Vomiting

There are various forms of vomiting, such as:

1. Baby vomiting milk after feeding or Posetting

Immediately following a feeding, your baby may vomit a small amount.

2. Reflux Vomiting

When the valve which is present at the top of the stomach opens accidentally, then the matter present in the stomach comes slowly back up the oesophagus, thus leading to vomiting.

Babies frequently vomit like this. It happens when the stomach’s top valve unintentionally opens. Slowly, the stomach’s contents travel back up the food pipe (oesophagus). Babies are unharmed by reflux. Usually, by the time they can walk, they have outgrown it.

3. Projectile Vomiting

Expulsion of the contents of the stomach with great force is known as projectile vomiting.

When this happens, your baby will forcefully bring up the contents of their stomach. Even though there may appear to be a lot of milk or food on the ground, it was probably just the last feeding.

Projectile vomiting in babies is common, but if it occurs after every feeding, call your doctor right away. This could indicate a blockage brought on by the muscle at the stomach’s outlet thickening.

Spit-up Versus Vomit

Vomiting is more severe than spitting up, which is common and normal. The forceful discharge of the contents of the stomach is known as vomiting. Similar to the milk that comes out with a burp, spitting up is a simple flow.

The area of the brain that activates the vomiting reflex can be activated by a variety of factors. These are a few of them:

• Inflammation or irritation brought on by an infection or blockage that causes the nerves in the stomach or intestine to fire.
• Chemicals in the blood, most likely caused by poison or drugs.
• Motion sickness brought on by the middle ear.

Due to rotavirus or minor stomach infection, your baby might vomit on occasion. However, this shouldn’t frequently occur. We advise getting in touch with your healthcare provider if it doesn’t go away quickly and your child begins to exhibit symptoms of illness.

Dangers of Baby Vomiting Through Nose

Do babies really vomit through the nose? Is it dangerous?

When milk leaves a baby’s mouth or nose and returns to the baby’s stomach, it is called reflux. Though less frequent after 18 months, it can occur several times daily in healthy babies and is typically not a serious issue.

Your baby has no control over the bodily reflex that forces the milk back up. Spitting up can be projectile and catch you off guard because the nose and throat are connected.

It’s common for babies to spit up, even out of their noses, as they grow and develop. You shouldn’t be concerned as long as they are eating normally, gaining weight, and not being overly fussy.

Spitting up can be reduced to a minimum by taking precautions like burping, holding your baby upright, and not overfeeding. Get in touch with your baby’s paediatrician or doctor if you have any concerns.

What Causes Vomiting in Babies

Mild vomiting frequently happens in young babies because they are still getting used to drinking, digesting, and excreting milk. It doesn’t take much milk for a newborn baby to fill up and vomit the excess milk because their stomachs can only hold an average of 20 millilitres.

Below are some well known vomiting causes:

• Gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach and intestines
• Not burping after feeding
• Feeding a baby with too much food
• If the baby is suffering from any other medical condition, then there are chances that the baby will suffer from vomiting
• Consuming bacteria-infected food. Food-poisoning may also lead to diarrhoea
• If babies go through a sudden transition in their food and eating habits, their bodies may ‘reject’ the food by vomiting and
• Consuming too many medicines is also one of the reasons which can give rise to the same.

Vomiting Scale: What Every Parent Should Know

Vomiting is an unpleasant part of parenthood we’ve all encountered at some point. But understanding the Vomiting Scale can help you gauge the severity of your child’s tummy troubles and take the right steps to ensure their well-being. Let’s break it down!

1. Mild Vomiting (1 to 2 Times/Day)

Mild vomiting, where your child tosses their cookies once or twice a day, is often nothing to lose sleep over. It might be a passing bug or something they ate. Keep an eye on them, encourage hydration, and let their tummy settle.

2. Moderate Vomiting (3 to 7 Times/Day)

When your little one starts hitting the middle of the Vomiting Scale, spewing 3 to 7 times a day, it’s time to pay closer attention. Dehydration becomes a concern, so offer small sips of clear fluids like water or an oral rehydration solution.

3. Severe Vomiting (Everything, Nearly Everything, or 8+ Times/Day)

At the top end of the Vomiting Scale, things get intense. If your child is emptying their stomach every time they eat or vomits 8 or more times a day, it’s time to call the doctor. This can lead to serious dehydration and needs medical attention.

Severity and Duration

The duration of vomiting matters too. At the start of an illness, it’s common for a child to empty their stomach completely, which can last for 3 or 4 hours. After that, they often transition to milder vomiting. Keep an eye on this transition, as it can signal improvement.

Dehydration Dangers

The biggest concern with vomiting is dehydration. Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much fluid. Younger children are at a higher risk due to their smaller body size. Watch for signs like dry mouth, sunken eyes, or fewer wet diapers. If you suspect dehydration, contact your healthcare provider ASAP.

In a nutshell, understanding the Vomiting Scale can be a helpful tool for parents. While mild vomiting can often be managed at home, moderate and severe cases may require medical attention. Always trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate to seek professional advice when in doubt. Your child’s health and hydration are paramount!

Treatment For Vomiting 

Most infants and kids who vomit do so easily and quickly recover. Your child might be hungry and thirsty after vomiting. Give your child a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration. See your doctor if your child keeps throwing up and seems sick. Don’t try to stop the vomiting by taking medication.

What to do?

1. A child who has been vomiting shouldn’t be given solid foods or milk products right away. Give their tummies time to recover before trying to feed them again. 

2. Give liquid in small doses:

• • For infants, administer an oral electrolyte solution (ORS) dose of one tablespoon (tbsp.) every 15-20 minutes in addition to shorter but more frequent breastfeeding.
  • 1-2 tbsp. for children. ORS, ice chips, flat ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, clear broth, ice pops, or diluted juice every 15 minutes.

If your child throws up once more, wait 20 to 30 minutes and try again.

3. After 3 to 4 hours without vomiting, gradually increase the amount of liquids they’re drinking.

4. After 8 hours without throwing up:

• • Breastfeed infants as usual and, if necessary, introduce formula gradually (1–2 ounces)
  • Provide bland foods to children (rice, applesauce, toast, cereal, crackers)
    Feed the baby with food which can be digested easily. Make sure that you feed the baby in small portions.

5. When your child hasn’t vomited for 24 hours, return to their normal diet. If it reappears, consult a physician.

   Remember that the baby should be well-hydrated with fluids.

6. Allow your child to get enough rest.

Best Position for Vomiting Baby

Changing your baby’s feeding or sleeping position can lessen the likelihood that they will vomit. You might try to

• Feed your infant while standing up.
• Lift your infant after feeding.
• Position your infant on its left side.
• Refrain from bopping your infant after feeding.

You can add cornflour or infant food thickener to your baby’s food to help with mild reflux. Try giving milk or water if your child is uneasy after vomiting or won’t settle. Acid will be washed back into the stomach as a result.

Heartburn, or a burning sensation in the chest, can occur in some infants. After eating or when they are lying flat, they might feel uneasy. An antacid may be advised by your doctor to treat heartburn.

ALSO READ:

Newborn Baby Vomiting: Is It Normal or a Cause for Concern?

Too Hot or Too Cold? 10 Signs to Watch Out for When It Comes to Baby’s Temperature

“Baby Cries When I Try to Breastfeed Him.” 5 Reasons Why Your Child Is Refusing the Breast

Fever And Vomiting In Toddler

In children, a high temperature can occasionally be accompanied by more severe symptoms, like:

• breathlessness
• vomiting
• rash
• Fits or convulsions

Serious bacterial illnesses that could develop include:

• Meningitis, an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and provide protection.
• Septicemia, a blood infection
• Pneumonia, which is an infection-related inflammation of the lung tissue

It’s critical to keep in mind that potentially dangerous causes of fever are comparatively infrequent.

Vomiting should be treated as soon as possible, as the baby’s health might be affected. The baby will not be able to gain enough weight due to vomiting, and since he will vomit out whatever he eats, he will not get the nutrients required for his growth. This might hamper the baby’s development and also leave the baby irritated.

Your child will also be less energetic and active thus appearing extremely weak. Hence, make sure that the vomiting is treated as early as possible.

Remember to take your baby to a paediatrician if you have any questions.

When To Take Toddler To Hospital For Vomiting?

You ought to bring your infant to the doctor if he is

• Irritable for several hours

• exhibiting symptoms of dehydration, such as peeing less frequently, crying less or not at all, having a dry mouth or chapped lips, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or acting extremely sleepy or less alert.

• having a high fever 

• feeling excruciating back or stomach pain

• having aches or has a stiff neck

• vomiting after suffering a head injury.

• throwing up for over 24 hours

• having difficulty swallowing clear liquids

• having greenish-yellow, resembling coffee grounds, or containing blood in the vomit

• having a tight, swollen, or painful stomach

• swelling, redness, or pain in the scrotum in a boy

• in a newborn: projectile vomiting

If the baby is still vomiting even after eating different kinds of food, opt for appropriate treatment.

Also, if blood or bile is observed in the vomit, take them to the hospital straight away. It might be an indication of an intestine blockage, which calls for immediate attention and perhaps even emergency surgery.

Additionally, if your newborn exhibits dehydration symptoms like a dry mouth, less than six wet diapers per day, sunken eyes, a sunken fontanelle, or dry skin, call the doctor right away.

Updates by Matt Doctor

Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.