Common Causes of Vomiting in Babies and Kids (and How To Stop It)

While it's no fun for anyone, most young children throw up on occasion. Vomiting happens when a sudden contraction of the stomach muscles causes the contents of the stomach to forcefully regurgitate through the mouth. It usually takes place without warning, although your child might indicate beforehand that they feel sick or nauseous.

Babies, toddlers, and older children experience vomiting for many reasons, ranging from tummy bugs to motion sickness, but there are ways to ease your little one's discomfort. Keep reading to learn about what causes vomiting in babies and kids, how to treat vomiting, and when you may want to consult a health care provider.

Common Causes of Vomiting in Babies and Kids

Infections, especially viral infections, are among the most common causes of diarrhea and vomiting in children, but they aren't the only. Below are some of the causes of vomiting in babies and kids that range from normal to more serious.

Regurgitation or reflux

For infants, regurgitating milk during and after feedings is normal, and it's often caused by an immature digestive system. But if your child is spitting up several times a day, they may not gain enough weight. Consult a health care provider if you suspect that your infant is regurgitating too often, if they appear to be in pain, or if you suspect they are experiencing acid reflux.

GERD

Some babies experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) caused by weakened or relaxed esophagus muscles that allow stomach contents to creep back up. GERD is a more severe and long-lasting form of reflux and can require medical treatment.

Stomach or intestinal infection

Contagious stomach or intestinal infections are a common cause of vomiting in kids. Infections are usually caused by viruses (like rotaviruses, enteroviruses, noroviruses, and adenoviruses), but bacteria or parasites can also be to blame. Children with a stomach or intestinal infection might also have diarrhea, stomach pain, and fever.

Pyloric stenosis

One serious cause of vomiting in babies is pyloric stenosis, a condition that leads to forceful, projectile vomiting. It's most common in babies under 3 months old. This vomiting is caused by a blockage or narrowing in the opening between the stomach and the intestines.

Without treatment, the blockage can lead to severe dehydration and weight loss. If you suspect that your child has pyloric stenosis, contact your health care provider immediately, as treatment usually involves surgery.

Gastroenteritis

Children who suddenly start vomiting usually have gastroenteritis, an infection of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus or bacteria (also known as stomach flu). Children with gastroenteritis may also have loose stools, loss of appetite, belly pain, or a fever. Most cases of gastroenteritis don't require any specific treatment and the child will get better after a few days.

Motion sickness

For some kids, swinging and swaying can cause queasiness that results in vomiting, nausea, and dizziness. Motion sickness may appear on boats, amusement park rides, and bumpy drives.

Food allergies

A negative reaction to food can cause vomiting, along with swelling, skin rash, wheezing, itchy throat, and other symptoms. These generally appear soon after eating the trigger food. Common food allergy culprits include peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish.

Food poisoning

Eating spoiled or contaminated food introduces toxins into the body. Your child might end up with food poisoning, characterized by vomiting and diarrhea, as their body works to expel the bacteria.

Migraines

In children, vomiting is a common side effect of migraines. In addition to a throbbing headache, which might appear on only one side of the head, your child might experience nausea, dizziness, and sensitivity to sound and light.

Other causes of vomiting in kids

Other causes of vomiting in babies and kids include:

• Milk intolerance
• Ingestion of poisonous substances
• Coughing too forcefully
• Overeating
• Reactions to medications or strong smells
• Emotional stress or excessive crying
• Head injury (which might indicate a concussion)
  

How To Treat Vomiting in Kids

Vomiting is uncomfortable for kids, but in the moment, there might not be much you can do except make them feel comfortable until it passes. In most cases, that's OK. In the case of infection, for example, vomiting and diarrhea may play an important role in fighting the infection by ridding the body of the microorganism causing the problem in the first place.

In other cases, vomiting is less productive, and dehydration is always a risk with vomiting. While treatment for vomiting will vary depending on the cause, here are some tips for relief.

Make sure they're drinking enough fluids

Consuming enough fluids can help prevent dehydration and replace the liquids, salts, and calories your child loses when vomiting. This is especially important if they also have diarrhea or fever (sweating increases fluid loss).

Offer them clear fluids in small, frequent doses (even if they're nauseated). If they've just vomited, wait 30 to 60 minutes before giving fluids, then start with small amounts, about 1 teaspoon every few minutes. The amount can increase over time. You can also have your child suck on ice cubes or cold, wet washcloths.

Continue nursing your baby

Children who are breastfed should continue receiving breast milk. The nursing parent can also pump and give the baby milk by spoon, cup, or bottle. Infants who have been on formula can continue to drink formula on their regular feeding schedule.

Temporarily avoid solid foods

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests limiting solid food for the first 24 hours after vomiting begins. Your kid might be ready for solids if they've consumed fluids without vomiting for about six to eight hours. For younger children, start with bland items such as applesauce, mashed bananas, or infant cereal. Older children can be given crackers, toast, mixed grains, soups, mashed potatoes, or white bread.

Provide some oral rehydration solutions

In addition to breast milk or formula, your pediatrician might recommend giving your baby an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte. These help to replace the fluids and electrolytes that are lost through vomiting. Older children can also have these products, which are available in liquid and powder form. See product packaging for dosage, or speak with your child's health care provider.

Avoid fruit juice and soft drinks if they have diarrhea

Children with diarrhea should avoid fruit juices and soft drinks because they have high sugar content that can make the diarrhea worse. If your child is vomiting but doesn't have diarrhea, they can try taking small sips of a clear fruit juice but consider diluting it with water.

When To Seek Medical Help

Medical treatment isn't usually necessary for vomiting, but let your health care provider know if the vomiting doesn't appear to be getting better after 24 hours in children (or 12 hours in infants).

You should seek medical attention immediately if your child:

• Shows signs of dehydration, such as listlessness, lethargy, dry lips or mouth, fewer tears, and less frequent urination. Dehydrated infants might have a sunken fontanel, the soft spot on top of the head.
• Is less than 3 months old and vomits after every attempt to feed, which may be a sign of pyloric stenosis
• Is less than 3 months old and has a fever
• Has vomiting with severe stomach pains, headache, or stiff neck
• Is vomiting after a head injury, which may indicate that your child has a concussion
• Vomits blood or a substance that looks like coffee granules, which is a sign that there is blood in the stomach
• Has black or bloody stools
• Vomits green (bile-colored) substances, especially if accompanied by severe abdominal pain
• Has an abdomen that feels hard, or that's tight and tender, between episodes of vomiting
• Experiences a dramatic change in their mental status (for example, they appear very tired or confused)