Various Causes of Babies Frequent Vomiting and How to Overcome It

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Babies often vomit is actually quite normal, especially if the baby is only a few weeks old. This is because the baby's stomach is still adjusting to the portion of breast milk or formula that is drunk. However, digestive problems are not the only cause of frequent vomiting.

Vomiting in infants is a condition in which the contents of the stomach are forced out. When this happens, babies tend to be fussy. Vomiting that just comes out, usually after breastfeeding, is generally caused by the baby's stomach not being able to accommodate the incoming food.

Various Causes Babies Often Vomit

There are various reasons why babies often vomit, ranging from normal to those that need to be watched out for. Among them:

  • Eat or drink too much and too fast

    As previously mentioned, the size of a baby's stomach that is still small needs adjustment to the portion of milk or food. Babies need to burp so that the incoming food can fit in their stomach. Forcing a baby to eat too much too quickly can make the baby vomit.

  • Have a gag reflex

    Babies who have a sensitive gag reflex will tend to throw up food or drugs that they don't like. In this case, the baby will regurgitate the food shortly after swallowing it.

  • Having stomach acid disease

    Acid reflux disease occurs when the loop of muscle between the esophagus and stomach in babies is still developing. Acid reflux disease can cause food from the stomach to back up into the esophagus, and can also cause hiccups. Sometimes the food that goes back into the esophagus goes a little into the throat, so the little one coughs.

  • Having indigestion

    Babies often vomit suddenly accompanied by diarrhea, can indicate a digestive disorder gastroenteritis. This condition is often caused by a viral infection, and sometimes by bacteria and parasites.

  • Allergy to milk or food

    Babies who vomit after feedings may have a protein allergy to either breast milk or formula. This condition arises because the baby's immune system overreacts to the protein in the milk he drinks. Cases of milk allergy are rare in babies, but if this happens to your baby, immediately consult a pediatrician.

  • Milk or food intolerance

    Because of the similarity of symptoms, it is clinically difficult to distinguish whether vomiting in infants is due to allergy or milk intolerance. In contrast to allergies, this condition occurs because the baby has difficulty digesting the lactose found in cow's milk because the baby does not have enough digestive enzymes to digest lactose.

  • Pyloric Stenosis

    Pyloric stenosis occurs because the muscle that controls the valve leading from the stomach to the intestine thickens. This prevents food and milk from flowing into the intestines, so that they remain stuck in the stomach or go up into the esophagus. This condition, which usually occurs within 30 minutes after eating, is generally experienced by babies aged around 6 weeks, but can occur anytime before the age of 4 months. Since this condition can lead to other health problems, such as dehydration and malnutrition, your baby needs to see a doctor as soon as possible.

  • Have a serious illness

    Babies often vomit, especially after breastfeeding, it is a natural thing. But that doesn't mean parents can ignore this condition, because vomiting can also be a symptom of meningitis, urinary tract infection, or appendicitis. The accompanying symptoms of vomiting that need to be watched out for in infants are fever, weakness, not wanting to drink, and looking short of breath.

How to Overcome Babies Frequently Vomiting

How to deal with frequent vomiting babies, especially vomiting after eating or breastfeeding, is enough to help him burp. Hold baby in an upright position 30 minutes after eating. Position the baby on your chest, so that his chin rests on your shoulder. Support his head with your hand, while your other hand gently pats your little one's back.

In addition, you can also do the following methods, according to the cause of the baby's frequent vomiting:

  • Feed your little one with food slowly.
  • For babies who can already consume solid food or solid food, make the texture of the food denser so that it is not easy to vomit again.
  • If vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea, replace lost fluids by giving ORS. Giving ORS should be in consultation with a doctor first. After that, feed your little one as usual.
  • If your baby vomits a lot after formula feeding, you can switch to a soy-based formula or a special formula that doesn't contain lactose.
  • If your child is diagnosed with pyloric stenosis, this condition can be treated with surgery.

Some conditions to watch out for in cases of frequent vomiting of babies are vomiting blood, vomiting yellow or green, vomiting accompanied by coughing or choking, vomiting with high fever, and continuous vomiting for 12 hours. You should also immediately check your little one to a pediatrician, if he loses weight due to a lot of wasted food when he vomits.