What Causes Vomiting in Kids and How Can You Stop It?

While it's no fun for anyone, most 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 before hand that they feel sick or nauseous.

Vomiting in toddlers and children occurs 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 the causes of throwing up, plus how to treat vomiting in different situations—plus find out situations in which you may want to head to the doctor.

What Causes Vomiting in Kids?

Infections, especially viral infections, are among the most common causes of diarrhea and vomiting in children. Here are some common causes, ranging from normal to more serious.

Regurgitation or reflux

For infants, regurgitation during and between bottles of milk is normal, caused by an immature digestive system. That said, if your child is regurgitating milk, otherwise known as spitting up, several times a day, they may not be gaining enough weight. Consult a doctor if you suspect that your infant is regurgitating too often, or if they appear to be in pain, or if you suspect they are experiencing acid reflux.

GERD

Some babies suffer from 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. It might need treatment from a medical professional in some cases.

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 might also be to blame. Infected children 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—usually in children under 3 months old. This 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 doctor 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 do not 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. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common food allergy culprits include peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish.

Food poisoning

Eating spoiled 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

• 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, and in the moment, there might not be much you can but make them feel comfortable until it passes. That might just be okay. Some scientists believe that vomiting and diarrhea play an important role in these infections, by ridding the body of the microorganism causing the problem in the first place. However, vomiting, can also lead to dehydration. While treatment varies 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 one teaspoon every few minutes. The amount can increase over time.

You can also have your child suck on ice cubes or cold, wet washcloths. (Note that you shouldn't give water to babies, who should only have breast milk, formula, or oral rehydration solutions).

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 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. A normal diet can usually be continued about 24 hours after the vomiting has stopped.

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 have them, too, and you might make frozen ice pops from these solutions. 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 (consider mixing it with water).

When to Seek Medical Help

Medical treatment isn't usually necessary for vomiting. But 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. This may be a sign of pyloric stenosis.
• Has vomiting with severe stomach pains, headache, or stiff neck
• Is vomiting after a head injury. This 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
• Has any fever if they're less than 12 weeks old
• 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)

Also let the doctor know if the vomiting doesn't appear to be getting better after 24 hours in children (or 12 hours in infants).