Infant vomiting: causes and precautions for good feeding habits

While it might be upsetting to see your child vomit, health professionals emphasize that it is crucial to remember that occasional spit-up or regurgitation is typical in children. Vomiting is a major issue for parents of newborns and preterm kids. Proper feeding techniques are essential for reducing the risk of vomiting and boosting your baby’s wellbeing since persistent or severe vomiting may be a sign of an underlying problem.

Reasons Newborns and Premature Babies Vomit:

Dr. Suresh Birajdar, a neonatologist and pediatrician at Motherhood Hospital in Kharghar, explained the reasons in an interview with HT Lifestyle.

1. Immature Digestive System: The digestive systems of newborns and preterm infants are immature. Due to problems absorbing and storing breast milk or formula, frequent spitting up may happen.

2. Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER): GER is brought on by the passage of stomach contents back into the oesophagus. This typical newborn condition might cause recurrent spitting up. However, when the baby’s digestive system develops, GER often goes away on its own.

3. Overfeeding: A baby’s tiny stomach might get too full from formula or breast milk, which can cause vomiting. Due to their lesser tolerance for higher amounts, premature newborns may be particularly vulnerable.

4. Improper Feeding Position: Holding the infant incorrectly while feeding, such as too flat or too upright, might cause reflux and vomiting.

5. Food Sensitivity or Allergies: Some infants may have sensitivity or allergies to certain ingredients in formula or breast milk. Vomiting and stomach pain may result from this.

6. Infections or Illness: Newborns and preterm infants may vomit due to infections, gastrointestinal infections, or other ailments.

7. Other Medical illnesses: Serious illnesses including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or pyloric stenosis might sometimes result in continuous vomiting.

Observing Correct Feeding Procedures:

In order to reduce vomiting and improve your baby’s health, proper feeding techniques are crucial. Dr. Suresh Birajdar provided some pointers to take into account:

1. Feed Smaller, More Frequent Meals: Give your kid smaller, more frequent feedings rather than larger, more concentrated ones. By using this strategy, the danger of vomiting may be decreased and their tiny stomachs from being overloaded.

2. Hold Upright During eating: Maintain your infant’s upright posture during and immediately after eating. This may lessen the possibility of reflux and spitting up.

3. Burp Your Baby Frequently: To relieve any trapped air and lower the chance of having too much gas, which may lead to vomiting, burp your baby both during and after each meal.

4. Maintain a Proper Feeding Angle: To avoid overeating when breastfeeding, ensure sure your baby is latching properly. Hold the bottle at a modest tilt while feeding a baby from a bottle to reduce air bubbles in the nipple.

5. Monitor Milk Flow: If breastfeeding, watch out for an excessively rapid milk flow, which may result in choking and overfeeding. Babies that are premature can need a bottle with a slower flow nipple.

6. Take into account the kind of formula you use. If you use a formula, talk to your pediatrician about whether you may need to switch to a formula made for those with allergies or sensitive tummies.

7. Skin-to-Skin touch: Before and after feedings, skin-to-skin touch helps ease your baby’s digestion and foster security.

8. Refrain from Overstimulating: After eating, refrain from vigorous play or bouncing, since these activities might aggravate reflux and cause vomiting.

9. Watch for Illness Signs: Be on the lookout for symptoms of illness, such as fever or prolonged vomiting, which may point to a more serious condition.

10. Speak with Your Pediatrician: If your infant’s vomiting worries you, speak with your pediatrician. They may provide advice, screen out any underlying medical issues, and, if necessary, suggest suitable remedies.

When to Get Medical Help:

Even while the odd spit-up is often not a reason for worry, there are several instances when you should take your kid to the doctor, says Dr. Suresh Birajdar.

1. violent or Projectile Vomiting: If your infant has projectile vomiting along with violent vomiting, it may be a sign of a medical problem that needs to be examined.

2. Weight Loss: It’s critical to see your pediatrician if your infant isn’t gaining weight or is really losing weight.

3. Vomiting that involves blood or bile-like vomit that is green in color should be treated right away by a medical practitioner.

4. Distressed Behavior: It’s important to talk to your pediatrician if your infant exhibits excessive fussiness, discomfort, or pain after a feeding.

Dr. Suresh Birajdar came to the following conclusion: “Due to their immature digestive systems, vomiting in infants and preterm babies might be a typical occurrence. Even while the majority of episodes of vomiting are common and usually go away on their own as the baby’s system develops, it’s crucial for parents to be aware of correct feeding techniques. To reduce vomiting and improve your baby’s health, be sure to provide smaller, more often feedings, maintain a healthy feeding angle, and look out for symptoms of discomfort or sickness. Always seek the advice and assurance of your pediatrician if you have worries about your infant’s vomiting.