When baby vomits

Nine out of ten babies spit up a little bit now and then. Some babies spit up more, others less. This kind of throwing up isn’t uncomfortable for the baby and as long as they seem to be doing well and gaining weight, then it’s nothing to worry about. However, if the baby projectile vomits, they should be checked out by a paediatrician. When the baby is older and eating more solid foods, they will most likely spit up less.

Why do babies spit up after breastfeeding or bottle feeding?

Babies might spit up after being fed formula or breastfeeding; usually, this happens because they took in more than their stomach could hold. Not rarely, the food bubbles up in a burp or hiccup. If you’ve ever picked up or played with a baby right after they’ve eaten, you probably won’t do that again.

If the baby is very hungry, they may be too enthusiastic at mealtime. Then they could easily swallow too much air and need to burp. But along with the released air, some of the food the baby just swallowed may come up in the form of a little vomit. That’s why babies often spit up when they burp.

If your baby is spitting up a lot, there are some tricks to try:

• Make sure the baby takes little breaks while eating so that they have a chance to burp.
• Avoid too much movement or physical activity right after the baby eats.
• Try feeding the baby smaller amounts (but more often) for a while and see if it helps.
• If you are breastfeeding, try pumping a little bit before feeding the baby to help slow the flow of milk.
• If you bottle-feed, try a bottle nipple with a smaller hole.
• Hold the baby in a semi-seated position instead of reclining while they eat.
• If the baby spits up at night, give some thought to the amount of food they are eating. You might really be longing for sleep, which could lead to overfeeding the baby before bedtime. Try feeding them a little less and see if that helps.

Vomiting due to illness

Sometimes, vomiting can happen because the baby has an infection. Gastroenteritis often starts with vomiting, followed by loose stool or diarrhoea about a day later. If the baby is throwing up mucus/snot and is also sniffling or coughing, then they probably have a cold. Sometimes even an infection like an ear infection or urinary tract infection can lead to vomiting. Being constipated for an extended period can also cause the baby to vomit. Contact your doctor or paediatrician if the baby hasn’t had a bowel movement for an unusually long time, if they’ve lost weight, have gotten more tired and want to sleep more, or if their nappy doesn’t contain very much urine.

Cow’s milk protein allergy and gluten intolerance

If the baby is vomiting more frequently while beginning to have formula or porridge, it could be a sign that they’re allergic to cow’s milk protein. About two percent of infants have this allergy, and vomiting is one of the most common symptoms. Cow’s milk protein allergy, which is not the same thing as lactose intolerance, is usually something the baby will grow out of when they’re between two to four years old – but some will still be allergic as adults. If the baby’s tummy is bothering them and if they lose weight as they start eating solids, your paediatrician will likely refer you to a doctor to look into whether the cause is a gluten intolerance or a sensitivity to something else in your baby’s diet.

Please note that all information above is based on Swedish recommendations.