Vomiting
What Is Vomiting?
Vomiting is when the stomach contents are pushed out of the stomach. Vomiting
is common in babies and young children.
Children vomit more easily than adults. Usually, they vomit once or twice
and are back to normal again. If your child seems well in other ways, vomiting
is not a major concern.
Possetting is when babies vomit up small amounts of milk during or after
feeds.
Projectile vomiting is when babies bring up the stomach contents in a forceful
way. The amount of milk or food on the floor can seem large, but is usually
the amount of the last feed. Your baby may have projectile vomiting occasionally,
but if it happens two or three times a day, see your doctor.
What Causes Vomiting?
Vomiting can be caused by:
● Minor
infections, like gastroenteritis, the common cold or an ear infection.
● Gastro-oesophageal reflux.
● Motion sickness through travelling in moving vehicles.
Sometimes vomiting is part of a more serious illness. Children may vomit
if they have infections, such as a urinary tract infection, meningitis,
tonsillitis, pneumonia, appendicitis or illnesses such as asthma or a bowel
obstruction. Contact your doctor or local hospital if you are concerned
about your child.
What You Can Do
● If
your child keeps on vomiting and looks unwell, see your doctor.
● Babies and young children can become dehydrated
quickly because of vomiting.
● To prevent this, give your child plenty of their
usual fluids in small amounts.
● You can give clear fluids as well (clear fluids
are listed below).
● Unless prescribed by your doctor, do not use medicines
to try and stop the vomiting.
The following are guidelines for giving your child fluids:
● Offer babies a drink a short time after they vomit.
● Give older children a drink (150–200 ml) after
every big vomit.
● Give small amounts of fluids often if your child
is vomiting a lot (a mouthful every 15 minutes).
Clear Fluid |
Dilution |
Gastrolyte |
Make up exactly as it says on the packet. Can be bought at your local chemist. |
Sugar solution (sucrose) |
1 teaspoon of sugar to 1 cup water (240ml). |
Cordials (not low calorie) |
1/2 cup of cordial to 8 cups of water. |
Lemonade (not low calorie) |
50mls of plain lemonade to 200mls of water. |
Fruit Juice (natural) |
30 mls of fruit juice to 200 mls of water. |
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