It is important to define what you
mean as vomiting. This is because most babies can have ‘spit ups’
of their feeds at some point. This is often called posseting. When your baby
vomits it will often be larger amounts than the usual spit up or posseting after
feeds. It can also be what we call ‘projectile’. This is when the
stomach contents are vomited with such force the contents are projected some
distance away.
Vomiting is not normal in babies
and they can become very poorly quickly, so true vomiting as described above
should be checked out by your GP. This is because your baby could have an infection
of the digestive system called gastroenteritis or other health problems.
It is important to observe your baby
even more closely if are vomiting. This is because young babies can very quickly
become dehydrated due to the fluids they are loosing. When a baby becomes dehydrated
they may be lethargic or irritable and their fontanel (or the soft spot on the
top of their head) may have become sunken.
If other family members or people
your baby comes into contact with (for example, at nursery) have a stomach bug,
ask them to wash their hands frequently. Keep toilets clean and wash towels
frequently. With formula-fed babies, make sure bottles are sterilized extremely
carefully.
If your baby is vomiting make an
appointment to see your GP urgently and in the meantime do the following:
- Wash your hands regularly but
particular after cleaning up any vomit to prevent the spread of infection.
- Use one towel for your baby and
don’t use this towel for other members of the family
- Continue to breast or bottle
feed your baby even if they are vomiting.
- Try to give extra cool boiled
water in between feeds
- You can also give your baby oral
re-hydration fluids in between feeds. See your pharmacist or health visitor
for advice on what to buy and dosage.
A
It is important to define what you
mean as vomiting. This is because most babies can have ‘spit ups’
of their feeds at some point. This is often called posseting. When your baby
vomits it will often be larger amounts than the usual spit up or posseting after
feeds. It can also be what we call ‘projectile’. This is when the
stomach contents are vomited with such force the contents are projected some
distance away.
