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Parentpedia
Vomiting -- Babies
Let's face it, no parent enjoys this subject, and if your baby's throwing up, you can bet he's not having a good time of it, either. Most of the time, vomiting in babies, as in adults, is caused by a viral illness (the stomach flu), though some may be caused by more serious illnesses.
If your baby vomits, the first thing to do is determine if that's really what happened. If it was simply some milk bubbling back out of his mouth post-feeding or along with a burp, that's probably just spit up (technically called "reflux"). But if the ejection is more sudden and violent, it is vomit.
Vomiting occurs when the abdominal muscles and diaphragm contract vigorously while the stomach is relaxed. The most common reason for this is a stomach virus (though occasionally bacteria or a parasite may be the trigger). A viral infection in the stomach might go hand in hand with a low-grade fever and/or diarrhea.
Caring for Your Vomiting Baby
The suggestions below are general guidelines. Depending on the specifics of your baby's case, your pediatrician's may vary.
- For formula-fed babies under 6 months: Give the baby small, frequent amounts of an oral electrolyte solution every 15-20 minutes. These are balanced with salts that help replace fluids lost with vomiting. Gradually increase the amount until it matches what he might have had in a normal feeding. Re-introduce formula after the baby's gone eight hours without vomiting. If you're breastfeeding, continue to nurse, but at shorter, more frequent intervals.
- For babies over 6 months: Do the same as above. If the baby's been eating solids, parents can reintroduce bland foods he's already familiar with after he's not vomited for at least eight hours (such as bananas or cereal).
Safety Note
While most vomiting can be cared for at home, call your pediatrician if:
- you see blood or green bile in the vomit
- your baby seems to be in great pain
- he vomits repeatedly or strenuously, or the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours
- his abdomen is swollen
- his soft spot seems sunken and/or he's urinating less frequently
- he's lethargic or very irritable
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