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Original poster

Please talk some sense to me about newborn sick

25 replies

plimsolls · 14/09/2016 17:48

I'm sleep deprived today so possibly more wobbly than normal but this issue has been building for about a week now. My daughter is 3.5 weeks old and is sick all the time. She doesn't seem unhappy and I think her nappies are fine. For example, today she's had about 5 dirty/wet and 2 just wet.

It just seems like so much sick! I don't understand how she can be getting what she needs from breast milk if she's being sick so much. Occasionally it's just directly regurgitated milk (thin and white) straight after feeding but most often it's thick and creamy and she can bring it up any time up to an hour after I've fed her. And then I don't know if I need to feed her again because she's emptied out.

I just don't know if this is normal and if there's anything I can do about it. The quantities seem so much that I worry about her being sick when I'm not watching in case she chokes.

Saw midwife a few days ago who said not to worry about it as she looked fine. But midwife is quite breezy and laid back. She wasn't weighed.

Does anyone have any advice or experience? I just don't know what to do.

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caledonianclown · 14/09/2016 17:58

Both of mine were massive pukers, it always felt like they must have brought up their whole feed every time! But they were always happy enough in themselves and gained weight tracking their centile so I never worried too much about it. Used to go through loads of muslins cleaning it up though, and other people were always very wary of holding them straight after a feed!

If your DD is happy in herself and still gaining weight then try not to worry about it, she'll grow out of it eventually.

idontlikealdi · 14/09/2016 17:58

I promise you it looks more than it is. She may just be a happy spitter. Just carry on feeding her when she wants and if she's putting on weight it's nothing to worry about apart from being a pain in the arse.

Rozdeek · 14/09/2016 17:59

Mine was like that and I also worried but he was fine. He's 6 months now and nearly grown out of it but he does have the odd sicky day.

If she doesn't seem in discomfort I wouldn't worry :)

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TooMinty · 14/09/2016 18:01

Some babies are sick quite a lot - DS2 was sick when burped after each feed and at random times too. He didn't seem bothered though and had plenty wet and dirty nappies so I wasn't too concerned. He eventually grew out of it completely when he was about one although it got better continually as he got older, less floppy and spent more time upright. The sick when he was on solids was yucky though! I didn't get him weighed as it was obvious by the speed that he grew out of clothes that he was ok... But you can ask your HV to weigh if you are concerned - she is there to support you.

I think you only need to worry if the wet/dirty nappies stop or she seems in pain or otherwise distressed. Just make sure you have a big supply of muslins and always have one to hand

Wilberforce2 · 14/09/2016 18:02

I've had one pukey one and one not so pukey one! The pukey one was sick a lot but was happy, gaining a lot of weight (big chunky boy) and it didn't do him any harm at all. The GP told me that some babies are sicky and some aren't, I would think if she is happy and gaining weight then she is fine.

Oh and apparently I was super sicky, my Mum said it used to come out with such force that once it his the opposite wall from where she was sitting! x

Brontebiscuits · 14/09/2016 18:02

I'm going to go against the grain here and say you need to get her weighed. My dd (now 11) was like this as a newborn and ended up losing a lot of weight and being admitted into hospital. She wasn't in pain with it but it affected her weight gain. It was reflux.

lotusbiscuit · 14/09/2016 18:05

My DD 2 was sick all the time, I even bought myself some old lady overalls because at least then I could keep one set of clothing clean
I would ensure you get her weighed regularly though

lotusbiscuit · 14/09/2016 18:06

My DD 2 was sick all the time, I even bought myself some old lady overalls because at least then I could keep one set of clothing clean
I would ensure you get her weighed regularly though

Original poster

plimsolls · 14/09/2016 18:08

Thank you all so much. I feel a bit tearful at the fact you've all replied with advice.

I think the HV has a clinic tomorrow so I'll take her to be weighed then but it so so reassuring that you've had some similar babies!

Thank you

OP posts:

DocMcFanjo · 14/09/2016 18:09

Agree once she's gaining weight and happy then you just have a laundry issue (and you will always smell faintly of puke).

Remember, every time a baby voms an angel gets its wings. Something like that anyway.

Original poster

plimsolls · 14/09/2016 18:10

Ha ha, thanks doc

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newmummyagain · 14/09/2016 18:19

My third was sick a lot. Found out later it related to tongue tie.

We did have weight gain issues, he was 1 month back to birth weight. However I knew in the first week things weren't right as the nappies weren't right. Didn't change to yellow and weren't frequent enough so I called out the midwife and they then realised he was still losing rather than gaining.

If nappies and weight are fine and baby settled then no worries. Good luck x

tappitytaptap · 17/09/2016 10:19

My almost 6 month old is a 'happy chucker' and has been since about your DD's age. Gained weight well (2nd to almost 75th centile), but the puke started to get me down a bit. Esp as we just started on solids so some of it is bright orange!! Also since he is trying to learn to sit up and push up further on his arms, as both those put pressure on the tummy. Went to GPs a few days ago and got Gaviscon. Sick has reduced lots. So might be worth bearing in mind if it continues? One of my best friends is a GP and she said Gaviscon is fairly mild and had no worries about the side effects (other than possible constipation!) of giving to a baby. Makes me less nervous about handing him to people to hold and tummy time

stoptouchingthat · 17/09/2016 10:21

All 3 of mine were huge pukers, especially DS2 who was a wee porker tbh.

It's just so messy and creates so much washing between baby clothes and whoever they just puked on. (Usually me)

FemaleDilbert · 17/09/2016 10:26

Oh god. I've had two happy spotters. My poor, poor washing machine.

My parents used to bring a change of clothes when coming to visit.

This link is useful alphamom.com/parenting/baby/baby-spit-up/

FemaleDilbert · 17/09/2016 10:27

Spitters not spotters!

Cakescakescakes · 17/09/2016 10:33

I had two pukers. One was a happy puker who gained weight well and just made lots of extra washing. He grew out of it. My second was the same but was in distress with it and it turned out to be reflux. So if baby is gaining weight and is feeding well and happy then it's just laundry problem :(

If breastfeeding I found only offering one side per feed and feeding more frequently worked (so little and often) so one side every 1.5 hrs instead of both sides every 2-2.5hrs. Once your baby can sit up etc it will improve.

Warl · 17/09/2016 10:33

As a pp said it looks so much more than it is, my DD was constantly puking literally every half hour for 6 months I went to Drs, HV constantly, swapped milks but she was fine, she just puked then went back to whatever she was doing. It started to wear off the more food she had & then stopped completely when she was fully weaned.

LuchiMangsho · 17/09/2016 11:11

Is she gaining weight? That's the first sign of things being okay or not.
Then keeping her upright even after winding. We would do 30-40 mins after each feed.
Is she in any pain? If she is not uncomfortable then I would worry less.

Overall, their digestive systems are a bit immature and it happens. We went through 10-12 bibs a day. I went to the GP and was in the waiting room with a mum who was there with her kid who went through 40+ bibs in a day! He was eventually put on medication because it was affecting his weight.

tappitytaptap · 17/09/2016 11:30

That alphamom link is also very encouraging. When I speak to other mums they either totally get what I am saying re vomit, or their babies hardly ever do it at all and they give you a weird look when yours chucks up down his clean outfit again 😂

Original poster

plimsolls · 17/09/2016 12:33

Thanks for all the info. I was just coming back to update the thread as I'm currently sat nursing in the children's hospital.

I took her to HV to be weighed on thurs. weight fine & she said if DD starts to be distressed by the vomiting to contact GP. By yesterday eve, she was screaming after visiting so I took her to out of hours who sent us to a&e who then admitted us to the children's hospital at 5 am this morning.

Latest discussion with doc says probably bad reflux (acid reflux?) and they're going to prescribe ranitritine (something like that). However, she vomited up her first dose so we're currently still here waiting for more decisions.

She's fairly happy and not too dehydrated at the moment. She's been held a lot by me (waiting rooms for hours etc) which has helped the reflux but hopefully docs understand that.

I can cope with the copious vomit (especially after reading your tales above) as long as she's not in pain or suffering. Poor baby. Back in hospital on the 4 week anniversary of her birth. I feel so sorry for her. A little tiny cannula in her tiny hand.

(Sorry, I'm tired and emotional!)

Thanks for all the posts

OP posts:

tappitytaptap · 17/09/2016 12:46

Plimsolls lots of and for you. Though not because of reflux, DS has been in hospital too and its horrible. Do bear in mind she won't remember though, and she is getting so many cuddles. It'll be harder on you. I hope they get something sorted for you soon love. She will be seen by the experts now who will have lots of experience in this sort of stuff and know all the things to try. Be kind to yourselves, its bloody hard having a 4 week old without this too!

Original poster

plimsolls · 18/09/2016 15:35

We've just had a diagnosis of pyloric stenosis confirmed. She's got to be operated on. I'm so scared.

OP posts:

mikesh909 · 18/09/2016 15:44

Oh gosh plimsolls, how terrifying for you. So sorry you're going through this with such a tiny little one.

How soon will that have to happen and will it be at your local hospital?

Do you have some real life support who can be with you today?

You've done all the right things getting help from the experts. Stay strong

tappitytaptap · 18/09/2016 17:06

Gosh plimsolls. Lots of healing vibes to you and your DD. Hope the operation goes very smoothly for you all.

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