As parents, surely you will be sad if your beloved child often vomits. Do not worry, vomiting is a common condition. However, if your child vomits continuously, it will be able to trigger more serious health problems, one of which is dehydration. Thus, as parents, you must know the causes of vomiting so that you can overcome it appropriately.
Vomiting is a common illness, especially in children aged 1-5 years. Although it is quite common, vomiting can also be caused by many factors. Not only toddlers, babies under 6 months old can also experience vomiting. The most common cause is reflux, where the child often vomits small amounts of food or breastmilk after overfeeding or breastfeeding.
In general, vomiting comes as a result of strong contractions of the stomach because it is too full. However, it can also be caused by some other causes. When you see your child vomiting, it is normal for you to panic or worry. However, as much as possible, you must keep thinking clearly and find out what is causing your child to vomit.
After knowing what causes your child to vomit, then you can minimize panic and seek help appropriately. Besides reflux, there are some causes of child vomiting. Well, here we will share that information.
Causes of Child Vomiting
Here are some causes of child vomiting:
1. Virus or Bacteria Infection
Based on the research, stomach flu or intestinal diseases can cause vomiting and diarrhea in children. This is because viruses or bacteria can infect the lining of your child’s stomach. When your child is attacked by viruses or bacteria, then she/he will not only vomit, but may also experience diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and fever. If this happens, immediately, you must take your child to the doctor to treat this condition.
2. Respiratory Infection or Disorder
Respiratory infection or disorder is also another cause of vomiting in children, especially when children are coughing. First aid for mild respiratory infections can be done by giving the children enough water. Generally, upper respiratory tract infections can heal within 1-2 weeks. However, if the respiratory infection does not get better, immediately consult a doctor so that your child can be treated appropriately.
3. Travel Sickness
When traveling long distances, children can experience travel sickness. Usually, this travel sickness occurs when children feel uncomfortable with the car or vehicle which is moving continuously, and then they become dizzy and vomit. So, how to overcome it?
When you see your child vomiting, first you can calm your child and not let her/his stomach empty to avoid the child’s condition dehydration. Therefore, to help reduce nausea and keep your child hydrated during the trip, you can give fresh fruit and enough water to your beloved child.
4. Excessive Crying or Coughing
Also, excessive crying or coughing can stimulate the gag reflex in children. A loud cough will trigger pressure on the abdominal area, which can cause vomiting. If this happens, immediately, you must calm your child so that she/he does not cry anymore. Aside from that, you can also take the time to play with your child so that the child’s mood improves.
As parents, you do not need to worry if the cough in your child is not accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, runny nose, or sore throat. Meanwhile, if the cough in your child is accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea at the same time, you must consult a pediatrician to find out the cause of the child’s vomiting.
5. Food Poisoning
Also, vomiting can be caused by food poisoning. Various foods which are not clean or contaminated with chemicals can be the cause. By the way, what are the symptoms of food poisoning that cause your child to vomit?
Usually, food poisoning is characterized by nausea and vomiting accompanied by diarrhea and abdominal cramps. If this happens, immediately take your child to the doctor so that this condition can be treated as soon as possible. In addition, to remove toxins that enter the digestive tract, the doctor will suggest your child to eat fresh fruits.
6. Appendicitis
Cause of vomiting in children due to appendicitis may occur, although rare. Usually, this appendicitis is characterized by continuous abdominal pain, followed by vomiting and prolonged fever. Of course, it should be watched out for. If your child continues to show that symptom, you must consult a pediatrician immediately to get treatment.
7. Vomiting Caused by Stress
Stress is another common cause that makes children vomit. In fact, not only adults, vomiting in children can be caused by stress, for example due to fear of one thing. If this happens to your child, you can teach your child to take deep breaths and exhale whenever she/he feels scared. Aside from that, you can also ask your child to imagine pleasant things. If you are worried that your child’s condition is getting worse, you can take your child to a professional.
If your child vomits immediately after waking up in the morning, you can ask your child if she/he also experiences pain in the head. If so, you must take your child to the doctor immediately because there may be something in the brain. Another reason is that lying down while sleeping at night will put more pressure on the brain, so your child may experience headaches and vomiting.
How to Overcome Child Vomiting?
In addition to not panicking, the first aid that you do when your child vomits is by helping the child stay hydrated due to the fluid that comes out continuously. If your child vomits at night, you must try to be calm, and find out the cause of the child vomiting at night. Then, you can do some methods to overcome child vomiting.
Here are some methods to overcome child vomiting:
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- Make sure your child’s position remains upright or tilted, so that your child does not inhale vomit into the respiratory tract and lungs. If on the trip, it is best to stop or pull over first until your child’s condition stabilizes and does not feel nauseous anymore.
- When your child is calm, give your child fluids, such as water, honey water, ORS, or breast milk to keep your child hydrated. Please do this gradually and slowly over the first 12 hours.
- For babies under 6 months, it is best for mom to continue breastfeeding.
- Give your child a nausea-relieving drink, such as chamomile/peppermint tea or warm ginger water if the intensity of vomiting continues every 5-10 minutes.
- Avoid giving solid food for the next 24 hours, starting from the first vomiting.
- When your child is calm and stable, give bread, broth soup, or fresh fruits.
- Do not give anti-diarrhea or anti-vomiting medications without a doctor’s prescription and supervision.
- Make sure your child gets enough rest and sleep, so she/he does not feel too weak.
Read also: Parents’ Choice Nausea Medicines (Most Recommended for Children)
When to See a doctor?
As first aid to avoid dehydration, some of the methods above can be done. However, if vomiting still occurs for more than 24 hours, you must check your child to the pediatrician.
In addition to the intensity of vomiting that does not decrease, there are some other signs that you watch for to immediately get a doctor’s supervision, including:
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- If vomiting is accompanied by red or blackish blood spots and green bile.
- The child complains of severe abdominal pain, especially on the right side of the abdomen.
- The child looks pale, has sunken eyes, dry mouth and lips, dark yellow urine, and drowsiness.
- The presence of blood in the child’s feces when defecating.
- If vomiting is accompanied by fever or even chills.
- The child complains of a headache or reddish rash all over the body.
Also, you must give your child balanced nutrition to fulfill her/his daily nutritional needs even though she/he is vomiting. Of course, this is very important so that your child does not suffer from nutritional deficiencies. If it is difficult to consume certain types of food, you can give growth formula milk that contains 9 Essential Amino Acids (9 EAA) and 4x higher DHA.
