Vomiting
Most babies bring up small amounts of milk from time to time, especially when they burp. This is called posseting and is usually nothing to worry about. You’ll know your baby is vomiting instead of posseting because a lot more will come out.
Vomiting is also very common (it happens in up to half of all babies) and usually gets better with time. Even if it seems like your baby is vomiting a lot, most babies still grow normally and don’t seem too upset by it.
As long as your baby is healthy and gaining weight, there’s usually no need to worry or get extra help.
Please see Red-Amber-Green tables for advice on when and where to seek care for your child.
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- Has dark green or blood stained vomit
- Breathing very fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
- Breathing that stops or pauses
- Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
- Difficult to wake up or very sleepy
- Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
- Has a fit (seizure)
- Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the glass test)
- Has a temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or call 999 - dial 999.
If your child has any of the following:
- Vomits forcefully (shoots across the cot or the room)
- Not gaining weight
- Blood in poo
- Constantly arching their back and crying
- Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
- Dry skin, lips or tongue
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
- Poor feeding (less than half of their usual amount)
- Irritable (Unable to settle them with cuddles, toys or feeding)
- Jaundice (yellow skin) after 2 weeks of age
- Getting worse and I am still worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111.
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If none of the above features are present
- Continues to feed well
- Has plenty of wet nappies
- Baby wakes up or cries regularly for feeds
Additional information is available about infant crying and how to cope.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your baby, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111.
Advice and Guidance
Self care and Prevention
Reflux
It’s normal for babies to have some reflux because the muscle at the end of their food pipe, which keeps food in their stomach, is still developing. Reflux might make your baby bring up milk after feeding and can also cause hiccups. As long as your baby is growing well and doesn’t seem very upset, there’s no need to worry.
However, more severe reflux can make your baby cry and vomit, especially after feeding. This more serious kind of reflux is called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). It happens when your baby’s tummy is full, and food and stomach acid come back up the food pipe, causing pain and discomfort.
Do
- ask a health visitor for advice and support
- get advice about your baby's breastfeeding position or how to bottle feed your baby
- hold your baby upright during feeding and for as long as possible after feeding
- burp your baby regularly during feeds
- give formula-fed babies smaller feeds more often
- make sure your baby sleeps flat on their back (they should not sleep on their side or front)
Don’t
- do not change your diet if you're breastfeeding
- do not raise the head of their cot or Moses basket
If you’ve tried the suggestions above and your baby’s reflux hasn’t improved, you should contact your GP surgery. They will check your baby’s symptoms, ask about the formula you’re using (if your baby isn’t exclusively breastfed), and may prescribe medication.
Milk allergy
Cow's milk proteins are found in standard infant formula milk and can also be present in your breast milk if you eat or drink dairy products like milk, cheese, or yogurt. If your baby has a cow's milk allergy, they will also have some of these signs:
- Eczema
- Colic
- Diarrhoea, constipation or blood in their poo
- Trouble gaining enough weight
- A history of allergies in your close family
If you’re worried your baby might have a problem with cow's milk, speak with your Health visitor or make a routine appointment with your GP surgery.
A stomach bug (gastroenteritis)
If your baby suddenly starts vomiting or has diarrhoea, they might have a tummy bug called gastroenteritis although his is less common than in older children. This is usually caused by a virus and doesn’t need special treatment. Vomiting usually stops within 6 to 24 hours.
Keep feeding your baby as usual. If you’re breastfeeding, continue. If your baby is on formula, don’t water it down.
Babies under 6 months old are more likely to get dehydrated, so it’s important to make sure they’re drinking enough. If you are worried that they are becoming dehydrated please use the above table and seek the help you need.
If you are breastfeeding, seek advice from a breastfeeding specialist, either a specially trained health visitor or a breastfeeding counsellor. It is possible that your baby is not latching on properly.
If you are bottle feeding, ensure your baby is in the right position (sitting almost upright) and that you use the recommended amount of powder (it is quite easy to use too much if you have changed product, or using a different scoop than the one provided in the tin).
It is also quite easy to give your baby too much milk when you are bottle feeding. Their stomach is only small and most babies need little and often: 6-7 feeds per day is the norm, including at night Your health visitor can help review how much milk you baby should need and the timing of the feeds.
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