Why my Infant Is Vomiting Often

Reasons Why Infants Vomit Often

From harmless conditions to medical concerns, here are some common reasons for infant vomiting —

1. Immature digestive system:

The digestive system in newborns and premature babies will be in a developing stage. So, it is natural for infants to regurgitate small amounts of breast milk as their bodies adjust to feeding.

2. Overfeeding:

Are you overfeeding your baby? Try to avoid it, as it might be the cause of infant vomiting. Your infant’s tiny stomach will not have the capacity to hold and process excess milk, and this can lead to vomiting.

3. Gastro-oesophageal Reflux (GOR):

Also known as reflux, this is another reason for infant vomiting. It occurs when the valve of your baby’s top part of the stomach is not tight enough to hold the milk. As a result, the milk flows back into the oesophagus, causing vomiting. While this might be a cause of concern for parents, it is usually harmless and gets resolved on its own as the baby grows and his/her digestive system develops.

4. Food allergy or intolerance:

As newborns have a sensitive stomach, some of them may have intolerance towards certain components in breast milk. This can trigger vomiting. Reports suggest that the dietary habits of a mother who consumes spicy food, caffeine, or dairy can upset her infant’s stomach. Also, most newborns may show allergic reactions to cow’s milk, as their stomach cannot process too many nutrients present in cow’s milk.

5. Motion Sickness:

While this is less common, movements, such as rocking or car rides, can cause an infant to throw up. The reason is that the vestibular system, which is the organ of balance in your baby’s inner ear, must still be developing. Due to this, the infant’s brain may receive conflicting signals from his/her sensory systems, leading to vomiting.

6. Infections:

Since your newborn’s immune system is still developing, it is likely for him/her to catch infections. Stomach flu, respiratory infections, fever, etc., can disturb the baby’s digestive system, resulting in diarrhoea or vomiting.

7. Pyloric Stenosis:

This medical condition might be the underlying cause of infant vomiting. It occurs when the valve between the stomach and small intestine thickens, blocking the food passage. This can prevent the food from entering the small intestine and lead to persistent vomiting, weight loss, and dehydration.

Is It Normal?

Infant vomiting in the first few months is completely normal. Do not confuse occasional spit-ups after feeding with vomiting. However, watch out, as forceful and persistent vomiting may be a warning sign of an underlying medical condition. Consult your paediatrician immediately if your little one:

• Throws up continuously after feeding

• Has difficulty gaining weight

• Experiences fatigue or shows signs of irritation or fussiness

• Vomit contains blood or bile

• Shows symptoms of dehydration such as dry eyes, dry mouth, lethargy, or irritability

How to Deal with Infant’s Frequent Vomiting?

If you are worried about your infant vomiting frequently, you can consider the following tips to deal with the situation —

1. Feed in Smaller Quantities:

Feed milk or formula to your infant in small amounts rather than overload your baby’s tiny stomach with large quantities of fluids. Opt for frequent feeding, i.e., feed your baby every one or two hours.

2. Keep Your Baby Upright after Feeding:

Holding your baby in an upright position for a few minutes can prevent the milk from flowing back to the oesophagus, which is a major cause of vomiting.

3. Make Your Infant Burp Often:

Burp your infant after every feeding, as it helps release trapped air or excessive gas in the stomach. Regular burping improves digestion, reduces discomfort, and prevents spitting up or hiccups.

4. Keep Your Baby Well Hydrated:

Vomiting results in excess fluid loss in your infant’s body and may lead to dehydration. Proper hydration replenishes lost fluids and ensures all digestive organs are functioning well.

5. Refrain from Feeding Cow Milk:

Do not give your baby cow’s milk if your infant is under 12 months old, as his/her tiny, delicate stomach cannot process excess protein or other nutrients that the cow’s milk contains.

6. Look for Signs of Allergies or Intolerances:

Monitor dietary habits and check which foods cause allergic reactions in your infant. Consult your paediatrician if required to learn about the foods that cause vomiting in your infant.

7. Avoid Bouncing or Rocking:

Avoid sudden motions such as bouncing or rocking after feeding your little one, as it might disrupt digestion and cause the milk to flow back to the oesophagus, leading to vomiting.

8. Ensure Proper Latching while Breastfeeding:

Do you latch your baby during breastfeeding? If you don’t, do consider this technique, as proper latching prevents the building up of excessive air, reducing the risk of stomach discomfort and vomiting.