Vomiting

This is the expulsion of the contents of the stomach through the mouth. A baby may posset up small quantities of curdled milk after a feed, but this should not be confused with vomiting. Vomiting has many causes but in the majority of cases there is little warning and after a single bout your child should be comfortable and back to normal.

Vomiting can be a symptom of a specific disorder of the stomach such as pyloric stenosis, or a symptom of an infection such as an ear infection. It frequently accompanies a fever, and even the common cold can cause vomiting if your child swallows enough nasal discharge to irritate his stomach. If your child has a bad cough this can also cause him to vomit up food that he has recently eaten. Other causes of vomiting include appendicitis, meningitis, migraine headaches, food poisoning and travel sickness. Some children vomit because of excitement and anticipation, but this is usually limited to toddlers. Vomiting should always be taken seriously because it can rapidly cause dehydration, particularly in a baby or young child.

What to do

Put your child to bed and place a bowl for him to vomit into within easy reach. Give your child frequent, small amounts of liquid, preferably cool water. Check your child's temperature to see if he has a fever too. If he has a fever, treat it and make sure he does not become too hot. Get him to brush his teeth to take away the taste. Ask for medical advice if your child continues to vomit over a six-hour period; if he also has diarrhoea and/or a fever over 38°C (100.4°F); or if the vomiting is accompanied by any other worrying symptoms such as earache. Feed your child bland foods when the nausea and vomiting have passed. Reintroduce solid foods slowly.

Dr Miriam Stoppard

New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard

Posted 03.11.2010

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