Six causes of vomiting in babies: Do you need to worry?
Why does my baby vomit ?
There are several reasons why a baby can vomit. Although this makes you feel uncomfortable as well as your baby, vomiting is usually not serious. However, you would like to know what causes these vomiting to help him. Possible causes of vomiting are:
1) Feeding problems
During the first months of your baby’s life, vomiting may be related to feeding problems, such as overeating. A less common cause is an allergy to proteins in breast milk or artificial milk.
2) Viral or bacterial infection
Congestion or a respiratory infection can lead to vomiting, especially during a cough. The mucus of a cold can run down your child’s throat and trigger the gag reflex or irritate the stomach. Some children vomit to remove mucus from their system.
A urinary tract infection, pneumonia, meningitis and even an ear infection can also cause nausea and vomiting.
3) Excessive crying
Long tears can trigger the gag reflex and make your baby vomit. Although it is disturbing for both of you, vomiting during crying will not physically harm your baby.
4) Motion sickness
Some babies tend to have motion sickness. This can be a problem if your daily routine includes a car trip. Experts believe that motion sickness occurs when there is a disconnect between what your baby sees and feels with sensitive parts of his body, such as his inner ears and some nerves.
5) Poisoned substance
Your baby may also vomit if he has swallowed something toxic, such as a medicine, a plant, a chemical. It can also be due to food poisoning caused by contaminated food or water.
6) Intestinal obstructions
Sudden and persistent vomiting may be a symptom of some rare conditions such as intestinal obstruction. This may be intussusception (when part of the bowel slips into the next part), maltreatment (twisting of the intestines) or Hirschsprung’s disease (blockage due to poor muscle movement in the intestine).
Because blockages can lead to malnutrition, dehydration and other health problems, they usually require immediate medical attention and possibly surgery.
How can I tell if my baby is spitting or vomiting ?
It can be difficult to tell the difference because vomiting and spitting are similar. Both usually occur after feeding, but there are some signs of differentiation.
When your baby spits, it triggers effortlessly, with little or no force and without seeming to disturb or upset his stomach. This is normal in babies and is usually not worrying.
But when your baby vomits, the contents of the stomach are triggered with force, causing discomfort and distress. The amount of vomiting is usually much greater than when your baby spits
What can I do to help my baby when he vomits ?
In most cases, your baby’s vomiting will stop without treatment, but here are some things you can do to help him feel better:
- Keep your baby standing or lying on his stomach or side if he is awake. It can be difficult to see your baby in trouble, but try to be calm so you can comfort him. Your soothing presence and gentle touch will be reassuring.
- Some doctors recommend not giving the baby solid food for 24 hours after vomiting. Give him enough fluid to prevent dehydration.
Can my baby choke on vomiting while sleeping ?
Many parents worry that putting a baby who vomits on his back can choke him when he is sleeping. But this is extremely unlikely if:
- Your baby normally sleeps on his back, as recommended by doctors.
- He has no physical illness, which blocks his airways.
What can I do to prevent my baby from vomiting or spitting ?
If your baby spits after feeding, give him smaller amounts and do it more often. Do not shake it on your knee, put it in an inflatable chair. Food needs time to digest. Keeping it standing for about half an hour after finishing eating helps too.
To minimize motion sickness, plan a lot of stops during your travels to give him a chance to get fresh air and calm his belly. Give her plenty of fluids to keep her hydrated.
When should I call the doctor in case of vomiting ?
Call your baby’s doctor if:
- Your baby has been vomiting for more than 24 hours. This may be normal, but check with the doctor to be sure.
- Your baby is less than 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher. His doctor will want to examine him right away.
- He shows signs of dehydration. These may include dark yellow urine, decreased urination (more than six to eight hours without a thin layer), dry lips, lethargy and crying without tears if it is more than a month old. (It can take a month or even longer for a newborn baby to shed his first tears.)
- His skin or the whites of his eyes are yellow, which is a sign of jaundice.
- He has blood in his vomit or violent and persistent vomiting in half an hour of meal. This can be a sign of pyloric stenosis. Contact the doctor as soon as possible.
