Most parents, especially new mothers are much worried when they see their kids vomiting in infancy. They do not realise the fact that vomiting is a very common symptom in infancy, especially in the children’s age group between zero to one year. In this article, you can read about vomiting in Infancy and its causes and solutions.
Vomiting In Infancy
Vomiting is a very common symptom that we see in infancy especially in the children’s age group between zero to one year. Vomiting is usually seen once a baby is fed or when the once the baby is in a lying down position. Sometimes we label these vomiting episodes as spit-ups. Most parents are concerned about these vomiting episodes, and whether these episodes need to be treated or not. When we say spit-ups or vomiting it is a spontaneous regurgitation of stomach contents into the oesophagus and into the mouth. Sometimes the contents can come into the oral cavity or sometimes they may be passed on to the nasal cavity also. This is commonly called gastroesophageal reflux. Gastro means stomach and oesophagus is food pipe.
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There is a valve system that connects the mouth food pipe and stomach and this wall system is one way in adults. As you can see in the picture the food goes from the mouth to the food pipe and from the food pipe, it enters the stomach. So this is a one-way valve. In infancy especially in kids aged between 0 to 1 year what happens is, the food in the stomach can go from the stomach into the food pipe also. As a result of this, it becomes a two-way valve. This causes reflux to happen in infancy.
The one-way valve that is commonly seen in adults is not seen in infancy. For this change to happen it may take six months to one year of age. As the age of the infants increases the valve becomes more and more one-way and the vomiting will come down. In most babies by six months to one year of age, the warm thing will subside on its own.
What needs to be done for these vomiting episodes?
Most of these vomiting episodes don’t require any treatment. Some of the conservative measures that a doctor advises for patients are making the baby sleep in a slanting position. Second is burping the baby immediately after feeds for 10 to 15 minutes duration keeping the baby upright. And the third thing is in spite of these measures like slanting position or burping the baby’s vomiting may not subside. Nothing to worry about it if the baby is well.
When is there treatment required?
Treatment is required if the baby is having choking episodes or if the baby has a recurrent cough or if the baby is not gaining weight in spite of conservative measures some of the treatment measures that we generally give for babies that are rarely used are one is the thickening of feeds, antiemetics and antacids
Final Thoughts
Babies will have small symptoms. Most of the problems do not require any treatment. But if you find anything serious, you should consult a doctor immediately.
Recommended for further reading
- Newborn Baby Care Basics
- How To Hold A Newborn Baby – 5 Easy Baby Holds For New Parents
- How To Bathe A Newborn Baby?
- How To Soothe A Crying Baby?
- Baby Care Skills Every New Parent Should Learn
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References & Credits: Dr Srinivasa Murthy C L, Aster Women and Children Hospital, Bengaluru.
Mathukutty P. V. is the founder of Simply Life Tips. He is a Blogger, Content Writer, Influencer, and YouTuber. He is passionate about learning new skills. He is the Director of PokketCFO.
He lives with the notion of “SIMPLE LIVING, CREATIVE THINKING”. He Believes – “Sharing is caring.” and “Learning never ends.”
