Projectile vomiting in newborn babies means the vomiting which is forceful or shoot out and not simple dribbling types of spitting up. These types of vomiting can be source of little worries. An occasional projectile vomiting can be normal but it should not occur regularly. The regular forceful spitting for two to three times for every feeding is a cause of worries to be cured immediately by consulting the doctor.
Causes of projectile vomiting in babies
Several causes of projectile vomiting in newborn babies can be cited. The most common cause is gastroesophageal reflux which will force the contents to come up the wrong direction. This happens because the sphincter muscle between the esophagus and the stomach is not working well in the children. The intestinal, pyloric stenosis or congenital abnormalities of the intestinal tract are not doing proper work.
- Irritability is felt regularly
- Continuous lethargy is experienced
- It may be due to poor feeding
- Tension for persistence vomiting
- The child may feel the fever
- Try to know the signs of dehydration
- The color of vomiting gets green
- Diarrhea is possible
- Nausea can occur but remain calm to treat it
To prevent projectile vomiting, try to feed the newborn baby frequently and burping the feeds gently. The breastfeeding may be more comfortable than the formula fed babies because the breastfeeding can be absorbed by the baby’s stomach easily. The medication can work only to reduce the formation of stomach acid. The child’s allergy to breast milk can also be allergic to cow milk or soy proteins present in mother’s diet.
Check with the doctor regarding the child’s changing diet. The proteins are usually broken down for children so the children don’t have allergy feeling to any thing. The vomiting caused by gastroenteritis may be due to infection that can be cured easily.
Try to keep the newborn upright during feeding and for fifteen to thirty minutes after feeding to treat this problem. The mother should try to burp the child gently several times during the feeding and after the feeding. Avoid vigorous movement after the feeding or minimize it so that the children feel at comfort and not force to vomit. It is always better to elevate the child’s bed thirty degrees to prevent this projectile vomiting. Take measures to prevent dehydration.
- In sever situation, give the child electrolyte solution every fifteen to twenty minutes with spoon to replace the lost energy which can contain sugar also.
- The toddlers should be given solution with correct salt to balance the dehydration.
- Try to increase the solution gradually if the projectile vomiting problem persists longer.
- Avoid giving the solution at a time which can irritate the tummy of the child to cause more vomiting.
- Breastfeeding may be resumed if the child is not vomiting at all or after a gap of two hours.
- Call the doctor if the child is vomiting and is under one month of age to avoid problem later on.