You are a new parent and you love your new little bundle of joy. However, your infant is sick and vomiting and you have absolutely no idea how to handle the situation. In fact, you are even wondering if infant vomiting is dangerous or if it is normal. If you keep reading you will learn a little more about infant vomit so you will be prepared in the event this happens to your child.

Most of the time infant vomiting is caused by gastroenteritis. This is a virus that is not especially dangerous although it can be stressing for both parents and infant. The best thing to do in this situation is to simply be calm, reassure your child, and make sure that he does not become dehydrated. The biggest worry with infant vomiting is that the child will become dehydrated. You dont want that to happen so make sure you keep giving your child fluids. Also, keep in mind that infant vomiting in a child less than six months of age is treated differently than infant vomiting in a child six months to one year of age.

For infants less than six months of age you should replace any fluids lost with a non-flavored electrolyte solution. Pedialyte is one of the best known brands although there are others out there. Your doctor can also recommend the best electrolyte replacement solution for your child. Make sure you do not give your child plain water, but the oral electrolyte solution instead. You should try a couple of teaspoons ever 20 minutes and gradually work your way up until your child can keep it down without vomiting. Also, never give your infant more solution than he usually eats at one time. This will simply irritate his already sensitive tummy and increase the vomiting. Take it slow.

Infants six months to one year of age require a similar treatment plan, however sometimes you may need to give flavored electrolyte solution to help your child drink it. There are also electrolyte frozen pops that encourages children to drink. Once your child is able to hold down the normal feeding amount in electrolyte solution for eight hours then you can start introducing bland foods like crackers and cereals. After 24 hours have passed with no vomiting a normal feeding schedule can resume.

If at any point you are worried about your child then call the doctor. You are not a pediatrician and shouldnt try and guess what kind of treatment your child needs. It is better to talk to the doctor and follow his directions to help your little one start feeling better as quickly as possible.

Posted in Baby and Toddler

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