Vomiting is quite common in infants and is generally not a cause for concern. Babies frequently vomit due to a number of factors, including overfeeding or inhaling air while ingesting. Vomiting will start to decrease as the infant ages and the digestive system matures.
However, there are various indicators of baby vomiting. This indicator may also indicate a dangerous condition.
What are the warning signs of a baby vomiting?
When an infant vomits, it is important to be aware of the following warning signs:
Frequent projectile vomiting (gushing)
If your baby vomits up a lot, especially if they are younger than two months, you should be alarmed. Sometimes, the muscles at the bottom of the stomach get thicker, making it harder for food to pass between the stomach and small intestine. This could be a sign of pyloric stenosis.
Self-projectile vomiting is a severe form of vomiting in which the infant expels several centimeters worth of stomach contents. This form of vomiting typically lasts for a shorter duration but is more severe than other types.
The vomit is green or yellow-green
Vomiting that appears green or yellowish in newborns may indicate an obstruction in the intestines. Blockage can arise from a range of situations, such as incomplete formation of the gut, twisting of the intestine, one section of the intestine entering another part, or improper functioning of nerve cells in the large intestine.
This condition is a critical emergency that requires urgent medical intervention for the baby.
The baby's vomiting contains blood
Another issue that requires close observation is the presence of blood in the baby's vomit. Even though this does not always indicate a major health problem, it is nevertheless important to visit a doctor for the baby.
Various factors can contribute to the presence of blood in a baby's vomit, such as the baby ingesting blood from an injured nipple, infection or inflammation in the digestive tract, irritation in the baby's digestive tract, blood clotting disorders, or problems with the baby's blood vessels.
Not willing to drink milk
It is possible for infants to get dehydrated if they are unwilling to consume milk after becoming sick with vomiting. In the event that medical assistance is not provided immediately, dehydration in infants can be quite deadly.
Additionally, be aware of the indicators of dehydration in infants, such as:
- Dry mouth and lips
- Crying without tears
- Dry diaper
- Deeply recessed eyes
- Delayed recoil of the skin following gentle pinching
- The infant appears weak and shows excessive fussiness.
- The infant's fontanelle has a concave appearance.
Vomiting for more than one day
Vomiting that persists for more than 1–2 days may indicate an infection or disease that necessitates treatment. Viral or bacterial infections, GERD, dietary allergies or intolerances, intestinal obstruction, metabolic disease, or neurological problems can all contribute to prolonged vomiting in infants.
Additional symptoms
You should also exercise caution if a baby is vomiting along with additional symptoms like a high temperature, a severe stomachache, a lethargic and unresponsive appearance, changes in consciousness, or changes in the pattern of urination or feces.
Do not hesitate to consult with a doctor if you suspect that your infant is experiencing any abnormalities. The pediatrician is capable of conducting the requisite assessments and guaranteeing that the infant receives prompt and appropriate treatment.
If you have any additional inquiries regarding the digestive issues or vomiting that infants may experience, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr Nadia Opmalina
BabyCentre. Vomiting in babies: what's normal and what's not. Available from: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a536689/vomiting-in-babies-whats-normal-and-whats-not
Deborah M. Consolini, MD (2022). Vomiting in Infants and Children. Available from: https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/symptoms-in-infants-and-children/vomiting-in-infants-and-children
Seattle Childrens (2023). Vomiting (0-12 Months). Available from: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/vomiting-0-12-months/
Better Health Channel. Children and vomiting. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/children-and-vomiting
WebMD (2023). What to Know About Projectile Vomiting in Children. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/children/what-to-know-projectile-vomiting-children
Mayo Clinic (2022). Pyloric stenosis. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pyloric-stenosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351416