Vomiting 2 week old – what’s normal?

[Granadilla]

On several occasions after feeding, my 2 week old baby has vomited large amounts of milk. I’d heard that babies were sick, but I have been surprised by the volume of liquid – it seems to be everything he has eaten.

Until today, the sickness has happened on four separate days. After being sick he has taken a nap and has fed well afterwards and continues to have a full nappy. Today, he was been sick twice this morning. This afternoon he kept down his lunch.

At what point should I be concerned about the sickness? I don’t think I am doing different things at the feeds that he is sick and those where he is not - any tips for dealing with it?

Ask your health visitor. My ds only vomitted once at 2.5 wks and I couldn't believe how much there was. Are you breast or bottle feeding. If recommend doing a few small feeds rather than big ones it could be that baby is taking on too much each feed. But ask gp or hv as that sounds like a lot of vomit for such a young one.

My DS2 would often vomit up what looked like his entire feed. Then he'd be hungry again and want another huge feed! I did worry but so many people told me that it was pretty normal, and he kept piling on the weight, so I stopped worrying about it so much.

He may not be throwing up as much as you think, and certainly breastmilk (or any liquid) starts to be absorbed very quickly in the stomach, so he will take some in IYSWIM.

Def ask your HV if you are still worried though. Some babies are just puky, it's not always reflux etc. Especially if they are greedy and guzzle their milk down far too quickly, like my DS2!

My three have all vomited after pretty much every feed - DS2 is now six months and I'm wearing evidence of today's feeds down my back, arms and trousers.

It's not a problem unless it's causing him distress - if he's completely unconcerned by being sick then he's almost certainly fine. It just means he's full. Your supply's probably still settling down and he may just be taking too much. Sicked milk always looks like more than it is - if you want to see by how much, measure out a tablespoonful of milk then pour it on the floor - it'll cover about three square feet and look like loads.

You only need to be concerned if it looks like it bothers baby, or if baby isn't gaining weight well.

Throwing up milk is normal in babies because the valve between the oesophagus and the stomach is weak, so the contents flow back up really easily. They do grow out of it!

Wind can make it worse so wind thoroughly after feeds, midway too if possible.
Large feeds can also make it worse. I only ever fed my DS from one side at a feed once I figured out that if I gave him both sides, loads came back up. With one side it wasn't as much. I did then have to feed him more often to make up for it (every two hours).

Muslins are your friend. Also, bibs.

Thanks for your reassurances. I'm new at being a mum, so probably over worrying.

He doesnt seem to be bothered by it, but will speak to health visior in the morning.

Does it smell acidic?

Are you bf or formula feeding?

It doesn't smell acidic - its just undigested milk.

I'm breastfeeding. I have mastitis, but am continuing to feed him on that breast. I havent noticed whether he is sick after feeding from a particular breast.

I saw the doctor this morning who said he was normal so no obvious reason for concern, but to monitor him and return if it gets worse.

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, it sounds as though he's just getting overfull and getting rid of the excess. Some babies are massive posseters - if you tipped DD up after a feed at the wrong moment it was like pouring a jug of milk over yourself.

vomiting can be a sign of tongue tie, is he burping and possetting or actually heaving to be sick? If it's the latter I don't think that is normal actually and retrospectively with my friend's baby is what pointed to it not being reflux.