Table of contents:
- The difference between vomiting and spitting up
- The cause of the child vomiting frequently
- 1. Difficulty eating
- 2. Gastroenteritis
- 3. Reflux in infants
Finding the baby vomiting after or while eating may be found in most mothers. The cause of frequent vomiting of children can be caused by various things, even vomiting can occur even though your little one does not experience any health problems or what is commonly called spitting up.
The difference between vomiting and spitting up
Before further discussing the causes of children vomiting frequently, you need to know the difference between vomiting and spitting up. Both of them both cause your little one to bring back food or drink that has been consumed (generally milk). Therefore, it might be a little difficult for you to tell the difference.
The main difference between vomiting and spitting up is the process by which fluids are passed. Spitting up usually occurs before or after the baby has burped and comes out without coercion, as if it just flows. Spitting up is very common in babies under one year of age.
Meanwhile, vomiting occurs because of coercion. This force comes from the muscles around the stomach which are ordered from the brain to expel the contents of the stomach. Vomiting in babies will look like spit up, which is white like milk, but mixed with clear liquid coming from the stomach.
The cause of the child vomiting frequently
Here are some causes or reasons why your little one is vomiting:
1. Difficulty eating
Babies need to learn everything from scratch including how to eat and keep milk in the stomach. After being given milk, your little one may occasionally vomit or spit up. This process takes place during the first month after the baby is born.
The cause of this frequent vomiting of children is the little one's stomach is still not used to digesting food. You can help facilitate the digestion process in your little one's stomach by choosing milk that is easier to digest, namely partial hydrolyzate protein formula milk.
Apart from internal organs, babies still need to learn how to drink milk slowly and not in large quantities at once.
However, to get a more precise diagnosis, of course it is advisable to see a pediatrician. You can find out if your little one is just spitting up or experiencing vomiting as a sign of another health condition.
2. Gastroenteritis
Also known as " tummy bug " or “ stomach flu ” is the most common cause of vomiting in children. Your little one's immune system is still developing, making it susceptible to viruses. When exposed to the virus, your little one may experience a cycle of vomiting that comes and goes for 24 hours.
Other symptoms that your baby may experience that last for 4 or more days include:
- Mild diarrhea
- Easy cry
- Decreased appetite
- Abdominal pain or cramps
Usually, viruses will not lead to more severe health conditions and you only need to care for your little one at home. However, if your baby has a fever, dehydration symptoms, or any other worrisome symptoms that don't get better after a few days, call your pediatrician right away.
3. Reflux in infants
Babies can also experience acid reflux or GERD just like adults. Reflux causes your little one to vomit in the first few weeks or months of life.
The cause of frequent vomiting due to acid reflux occurs when the muscles at the top of the stomach relax too much. Triggers the baby to vomit shortly after eating or breastfeeding. Plus, your little one's stomach is not yet fully developed to be able to digest certain types of protein. To avoid acid reflux, you need to be more careful in choosing foods or milk that are easily digested such as partially hydrolyzed proteins because these proteins have been broken down into smaller particles.
Breast milk is certainly the best source of nutrition for your little one. However, if your little one needs a supplement in the form of formula milk, you need to choose a product that is easy to digest, commonly known as a partial hydrolyzate formula.
This formula (also known as PHP) contains smaller protein molecules, making it easier to digest and helping prevent your little one from vomiting due to acid reflux and an incomplete digestive system. Try to stick to your doctor's recommendations for partial hydrolyzate formulas.
If your little one just spits up or vomits but doesn't show any other symptoms, you don't need to worry because this is normal and normal. On the other hand, if your little one shows signs such as:
- Vomit more (more than spit up), often and forcefully
- The vomit is green or slightly yellow
- Vomiting with blood
- Shows symptoms of dehydration
- Refusing to be fed
- Shows odd symptoms
Immediately contact the pediatrician because the vomiting that your little one is experiencing is not normal and needs medical attention.
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