Vomiting means that the contents of the stomach are emptied again by spitting out. Vomiting in babies is usually harmless and, in infants, serves primarily to protect the body from pathogens or other harmful substances in the digestive system. However, a physical disease of the digestive system or brain may also be possible causes. Therefore, it is very important to check the trigger and initiate treatment if necessary.
What characterizes vomiting in babies?
If the baby regurgitates small pieces of food after eating, this is not vomiting, but it is spoken of only in larger quantities. If the baby regurgitates small amounts of food after eating, this is not vomiting, but is only referred to as vomiting in larger amounts. The stomach is emptied by contractions of the diaphragm, stomach and abdominal wall. Repeated vomiting in the baby can become a problem for the entire body: The possible consequences are a loss of water, salt and acid. An undersupply of energy is also the result. These problems are especially dangerous in infants. Typical signs of impending dehydration (dehydration) are white skin, dry mouth, deep breathing and sleepiness.
Causes
In babies, vomiting can have a variety of causes. Most often, it is due to a simple stomach upset. Other triggers often include dirty milk bottles or other poor hygiene. As a result, the baby becomes nauseous and vomits. The exact cause is often difficult to determine. Therefore, if anything is unclear, a doctor should be consulted to diagnose the cause and possibly initiate therapy. Usually, preparations such as electrolyte solutions are prescribed, because this compensates for the loss of fluids. Suppositories relieve the discomfort. The properties of the vomit can provide information about the cause. For example, if it is sour, this indicates that it comes from the stomach and the cause may be found here. If it smells neutral, this indicates that it has not come into contact with stomach acid. If it is greenish-brown, it could be from the colon and there could be a small bowel obstruction. If the vomit is mucousy or even bloody, there may be inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) or bronchitis. If it smells foul or contains feces, possible causes include intestinal obstruction. Foaming vomit could be a sign that the baby has poisoned himself with a dishwashing liquid. In this case, prompt treatment is very important. Blood in the vomit indicates serious causes. In this case, too, an examination is essential.
Diseases with this symptom
- Gastritis inflammation
- Middle ear infection
- Bronchitis
- Appendicitis
- Poisoning
- Gastric portal constriction
Diagnosis and course of the disease
If vomiting occurs repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted. Special suppositories are helpful, and in severe cases, an infusion if there is unstoppable vomiting. In addition, various tests can be performed to determine the cause. The baby’s abdomen is carefully palpated. An x-ray or blood sample may also be taken. Through a conversation (anamnesis), it is clarified since when and in what intensity the complaints occur and whether other abnormalities are present.
Complications
Persistent vomiting in the baby can lead to various complications such as exsiccosis (dehydration), as fluid and mineral deficiencies occur relatively quickly. If the infant is then not given fluids, the baby is at risk of dehydration and, in extreme cases, death. Less serious is the lack of electrolytes and other chemical substances, although complications such as high blood pressure, kidney failure, oliguria, stroke and heart attack can also occur here. Frequent vomiting also stresses the teeth and can lead to infectious diseases and further complications such as bloody sputum, diarrhea and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. The accompanying symptoms depend on the cause of the vomiting and the duration of the symptoms. A visit to the doctor is advisable if the baby vomits for several hours, as an infectious disease may be present.Frequently, the gastric mucosa is also inflamed and vomiting and diarrhea occur, often accompanied by inflammation of the urinary tract, appendix or middle ear. If vomiting occurs as a result of inflammation of the respiratory tract, the symptoms are accompanied by severe pain and malaise. As a result, the infant is usually weak and tired and suffers from circulatory problems and cold sweats. These complications are usually not problematic and can be compensated for by the administration of tea and diluted formula.
When should you go to the doctor?
Vomiting in babies is not necessarily a reason to panic, but it should be taken seriously. Attentive parents will notice that vomiting in their baby is more often than average associated with a meal. The sphincter between the stomach and esophagus is even looser in babies than in older children or adults. It is therefore easy for excess food to make its way backwards in babies. In the case of gastric portal stricture, which is not uncommon in babies, the passage between the stomach and intestines is narrowed, which leads to vomiting in the baby. However, parents should bear in mind that digestion often comes to a standstill in sick children. Food still in the stomach is therefore often vomited. Such a situation is reason to immediately visit the pediatrician. In addition to vomiting as a symptom, the underlying illness must be diagnosed and treated. For babies in particular, it can be life-threatening if they lose a lot of fluid during vomiting and become downright dehydrated. Vomiting in babies can indicate other serious conditions: Appendicitis, otitis media or inflammation of the respiratory tract and urinary tract. Parents should always keep a close eye on their child. This way, if their baby vomits, they will be better able to assess whether it needs medical attention. In addition, they can give valuable tips to the pediatrician to find a diagnosis.
Treatment and therapy
Vomiting can usually be managed well with the above preparations, so the baby could be well within a few days. In the case of a serious condition, such as intestinal obstruction, treatment as soon as possible is essential to improve the baby’s condition. At home, it is very important to ensure adequate hydration. Not eating for some time is not so dramatic. Drinking, on the other hand, is a different story. For babies who are breastfed or receive breastmilk substitutes, milk can continue to be given through several small meals despite vomiting. During vomiting, the baby should be held upright if possible to prevent the vomit from flowing back. Stroking the back has a calming effect. It may cause the baby to go into respiratory distress. Babies also feel the sour taste of vomit and should be given some water or unsweetened tea to drink afterwards. This also counteracts fluid loss and should be offered to the baby regularly for this reason. Certain types of tea soothe the stomach, for example chamomile, peppermint and goose cinquefoil. Special electrolyte solutions, available from pharmacies, compensate for mineral loss. Binding complementary foods include apple, carrot and banana. In addition, plenty of rest and attention are also important to cure.
Outlook and prognosis
Vomiting in babies should always be taken seriously, because the little body cannot yet cope with such a loss of fluids as that of an adult. Especially in the first years of life, vomiting will be even more common, so parents should know when to act. In most cases, however, even a small baby will recover quickly if the vomiting is a one-time occurrence. It will be even faster if the baby drinks enough after vomiting and soon starts eating normally again. However, if the baby refuses to eat after vomiting, this worsens the prognosis, because it now needs fluids above all. If the baby has not had anything to eat all day after the last vomiting, a visit to the doctor is overdue. Depending on the baby’s general health, he or she may be given intravenous fluids in the hospital to help him or her recover. If the vomiting itself lasts for several hours, it is even more serious in the baby. The pediatrician will first administer a medication to stop the vomiting, because otherwise the fluid loss could become life-threatening.So the parents of a young baby can influence the prognosis of vomiting themselves by visiting the pediatrician once too often rather than too little.
Prevention
Prevention is not always possible with regard to vomiting in babies. But at least the risk can be significantly reduced by consciously paying attention to which foods the baby tolerates and which not. In addition, it is important to avoid illnesses, as these can put a strain on the organism. Furthermore, strict hygiene should be observed. This starts with clean bottles and ends with always disposing of leftover milk and not reheating it. This can cause germs to form, to which the baby’s stomach can react by vomiting. The bottles and other accessories should be boiled in the vaporizer. Alternatively, a water bath is a good option. Sick persons in the household pose a risk to the baby due to the risk of infection and should have no contact with the baby if possible. It is advisable to wear a mouthguard and wash your hands thoroughly. This is very important so that the pathogens are not transmitted to the child.
What you can do yourself
Depending on the cause of the vomiting, it is necessary to distinguish which measures you take supportively. If the child’s body has merely freed itself from a foreign body, no further measures are necessary. However, if it is a gastrointestinal infection – usually with accompanying fever – the baby can support with a strong lemon balm tea, wormwood tea and a fennel or peppermint tea. An infusion of blueberry leaves is also effective. In case of strong infections, children often vomit the administered liquid as well. Here it helps to administer the tea by the spoonful. A tea with ginger and/or honey is not recommended for babies: the effect of the ginger tuber is too strong and honey should not be consumed by children under one year of age, as there is an increased risk of allergies. In addition to providing fluids, soothing the baby is very important. Many babies enjoy being carried in a sling or baby carrier. Medicines for vomiting are rather inadvisable. On the one hand, because vomiting is a protective function of the body and therefore useful, and on the other hand, because these drugs have a soporific effect. Great caution is required here with babies. Many parents have had very good experiences with homeopathic remedies. These remedies have a calming effect on body and soul, without side effects. Should the general condition of their baby nevertheless continue to deteriorate, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
