#asktheexpert Why my child vomit after feed?

Question

Accepted Answer

If your child is vomiting after feeding, there could be several reasons for it. Here are some common causes:

1. Overfeeding:
Sometimes, babies can consume more milk or food than their stomach can handle, leading to vomiting. If your child is feeding too quickly or too much in one sitting, the stomach may not be able to keep up, causing milk to be thrown up.

2. Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD):
This is a condition where the contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus, causing irritation and vomiting. It's common in babies and can result in spit-up or vomiting after feeding.

3. Air in the Stomach:
If your baby is not burping properly after feeding, the trapped air can cause discomfort and lead to vomiting. It's important to burp your baby well during and after feedings.

4. Sensitivity to Formula or Breast Milk:
If your baby is formula-fed, it could be an intolerance or sensitivity to the ingredients in the formula. For breastfed babies, it could be due to something in the mother’s diet, like dairy or other allergens, that the baby is sensitive to.

5. Overactive Letdown (for Breastfed Babies):
If the mother's milk supply is very fast or forceful (overactive letdown), the baby may gulp too quickly and swallow air, leading to vomiting.

6. Infection:
Stomach viruses or infections like a mild viral infection can cause vomiting in babies. This might also be accompanied by diarrhea, fever, or fussiness.

7. Milk Flow Issues:
Sometimes, the milk flow can be too fast or too slow, making it difficult for the baby to feed properly and leading to vomiting.

8. Motion:
Sometimes, if a baby is moved or jostled too soon after feeding (like being rocked or laid down), it can cause them to vomit.

What You Can Do:

Feed smaller amounts more frequently: Instead of giving a large feed, try smaller and more frequent feeds.

Burp your baby often: Burp your baby during and after feeding to help release any trapped air.

Keep your baby upright: After feeding, keep your baby upright for about 20-30 minutes to allow gravity to help digestion.

Check for allergies or intolerances: If formula-fed, you may want to try a different type of formula or check your own diet if breastfeeding.

Avoid overfeeding: Ensure that the baby is only being fed when hungry, and try to avoid forcing more milk if they're already full.

If the vomiting is persistent, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms like dehydration, fever, or poor weight gain, it's important to consult with a pediatrician to rule out any underlying issues.