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My 1-Month-Old Newborn Baby is Vomiting Frequently! Should I be concerned?

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

Most babies vomit small amounts from time to time, and bring up some milk when they burp. This is known as possetting and is usually nothing to worry about. But if your baby is often sick, or if he vomits large quantities, it can be a cause for concern.

Contents

Reflux
Cow's milk allergy or intolerance
A stomach bug
An illness or infection
Pyloric stenosis
Is it normal for my baby to vomit?
How should I deal with vomiting?

Here are some possible causes of this type of vomiting:

Reflux

The long name for reflux is gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR). Babies get reflux because the muscular valve at the end of the food pipe, which keeps food in the stomach, is still developing. This means that when your baby's tummy is full, food and stomach acid can flow back up his food pipe.

Reflux may cause your baby to bring up a little milk after a feed, and can also give him hiccups. He may occasionally cough after bringing up milk if a little has gone "down the wrong way." This is normal and as long as your baby is otherwise well, you don't need to worry.

However, a more severe case of reflux can cause your baby to be sick, often after feeding. He may cry and cough a lot too. If your baby isn't feeding well or seems upset, see your doctor. She may prescribe an antacid designed for babies, or possibly a feed thickener that can be added to expressed breast milk or formula.

Cow's milk allergy or intolerance

If your baby's allergic to cow's milk, it means his immune system reacts to cow's milk proteins. An intolerance means he has difficulty digesting lactose, which is the natural sugar found in milk. Cow's milk proteins and lactose are found in many formula milks. They'll also make their way into your breast milk if you eat or drink milk or other dairy products, such as cheese and yoghurt. If your baby has a cow's milk allergy or intolerance, he may vomit after feeding. It can be difficult to tell the difference between this and reflux. But if your baby has problems with cow's milk, he may also have:

eczema

colic

diarrhoea

constipation

trouble putting on enough weight

If you're worried that your baby has problems with cow's milk, there are steps you can take. If you breastfeed your baby, you could ask your doctor about cutting cow's milk from your diet for a while. If your baby's formula-fed, trying a hypoallergenic formula may help.

Talk to your doctor before trying either of these, though. She'll want to check your baby's symptoms first, so she can be sure of what's causing them. If your doctor suspects that your baby does have a cow's milk allergy or intolerance, she may refer him to a specialist.

A stomach bug

If your baby's vomiting begins suddenly, or if he also has diarrhoea, he may have a tummy bug such as gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. If you think this could be the case, contact your doctor. She may ask for a sample of your baby's poo to find out the best way to treat your baby. Vomiting and diarrhoea mean your baby is losing precious fluids. These fluids must be replaced, to prevent dehydration. Give your baby sips of an oral rehydration solution (ORS), a few times an hour.

Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to advise you about which solution is best for your baby. You can give it to him alongside his usual breast milk or full-strength formula, and water.

An illness or infection

Your baby may be vomiting because he has an infection or illness. If so, you may notice other signs of illness too, such as:

fever

loss of appetite

irritability

lethargy

a rash

coughing

a stuffy nose

Vomiting can also be one of the symptoms of:

flu

Scarlet fever

a urinary tract infection

an ear infection

It can also be a symptom of more serious illnesses such as meningitis, which require quick treatment. So, take your baby to the doctor straight away if you're at all concerned.

Pyloric stenosis

This is a rare condition that can cause your baby to vomit forcefully within half an hour of feeding. Pyloric stenosis is most likely to begin when your baby is about six weeks old, but could show up at any time before he reaches four months. It can sometimes run in families, and boys are about four times more likely to get it than girls.

Pyloric stenosis happens because the muscle controlling the valve leading from the stomach into the intestines has thickened. This prevents the valve from opening up enough to let food and milk through, so it stays in the stomach or comes back up. The problem is easily corrected with minor surgery. See your doctor if you think your baby has pyloric stenosis.

Is it normal for my baby to vomit?

It's common for babies to vomit often in the early weeks as they adjust to feeding and as their bodies develop. You can tell when your baby is vomiting, rather than just bringing up small quantities of milk (possetting), because there will be a lot more coming out. Vomiting can be frightening for your baby, so he's likely to cry.

Everything from car sickness to indigestion can cause your baby to be sick. Even a prolonged bout of crying or coughing can trigger this reflex. So, you may see quite a lot of vomiting in your baby's first few years. An attack of vomiting will generally subside six hours to 24 hours after it starts. Your baby shouldn't need any particular treatment, apart from drinking plenty to ensure he stays hydrated. As long as your baby seems otherwise healthy and continues to gain weight, there's usually no need to worry.

Trust your instincts, though, and call your GP if you are worried.

How should I deal with vomiting?

Usually, vomiting is nothing to worry about, and soon gets better. Here's what you can do to help your baby recover:

 Keep him hydrated:

When your baby vomits, he's losing precious fluids. It's important to replace them so he doesn't get dehydrated. To do this, you may be able to give him sips of oral rehydration solution (ORS), a few times an hour, alongside his usual breast milk or full-strength formula, and water. Check with your pharmacist or health visitor before trying this, though. Don't give your baby fruit juices or fizzy drinks.

 Ease him back into his routine:

If your baby hasn't vomited for 12 hours to 24 hours, you can begin moving back to his usual diet. But keep giving him plenty of fluids such as his usual milk. If your baby is eating solid foods, start with easy-to-digest foods such as cereal or yoghurt. You can also try using frozen clear liquids, such as ice lollies, if your child is over 12 months.

 Help him rest:

Sleep may also help to settle your baby. The stomach often empties into the intestines during sleep, relieving his need to vomit. Don't give your child anti-nausea medicines (prescription or over-the-counter), unless your GP has prescribed them. If your baby attends childcare or nursery, keep him at home until at least 48 hours after his last episode of vomiting.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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