Vomiting in babies

Many breastfeeding mothers struggle with their baby's vomiting, especially in the first months of life. They worry when it keeps happening and they can't stop it. Here are a few important points about vomiting in babies.

Vomiting is very common in childhood, especially in babies, who bring back a small amount of milk after a feed.

Harmless vomiting that needs no treatment

This happens because the muscle at the top of the stomach is not yet mature, or because the stomach empties slowly, so a little milk comes back straight after a feed or a few minutes later. As long as the baby is well, gains weight as expected for their age and sex, and has no fever, crying, pain, dehydration, cough or breathing difficulty, this vomiting is temporary and normal. It can get worse with feeding mistakes, such as not paying attention to the baby's position after a feed, choosing or preparing formula badly, or food that doesn't suit the baby's age.

Vomiting caused by illness

Vomiting can also have medical causes, such as gut infections, a blocked oesophagus or a narrowed stomach outlet (pyloric stenosis). Then there are warning signs:

Vomiting that keeps happening and may go on for a long time
Losing weight, or not gaining it
Vomit with blood in it, or yellow-green vomit
Signs of dehydration and passing little urine
Drowsiness, weak sucking or refusing feeds
Breathing symptoms (cough, wheezing)

A mother should not delay taking her baby to the doctor if any of these signs appear, so treatment can start at once. Any delay will make the baby worse.

Tips to reduce harmless vomiting

Don't feed the baby more than they need, in amount or number of feeds.
Don't give the feed too fast.
After a feed, hold the baby upright and gently pat their back so they can burp.
Don't play with the baby straight after a feed.

Mothers should never buy anti-vomiting medicines from the pharmacy on their own, thinking they are the cure.

Children are the flowers of life. However tiring their mischief, it is like cold water on a hot summer day: they are the joy of every mother's and father's heart. May God keep your children safe.

By Dr Yassin Mohammad Bilal