Vomiting is the involuntary ejection of the stomach contents. An episode of vomiting will generally resolve by itself 6 to 24 hours after it starts. So most babies shouldn't need any particular medical treatment, however it is important to ensure that they receive plenty of fluid during this time to avoid dehydration.
A food allergy such as cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) may also be responsible for your baby’s vomiting. Almost 50% of babies with CMPA experience vomiting as a symptom.
Vomiting
& CMPA
During your baby’s first few months of life (0-3 months or newborn stage), they may vomit occasionally – this is perfectly normal, although it may be worrying for parents. It may be caused by minor feeding problems such as eating too much, or an infection. If your baby suddenly starts vomiting it is likely to be caused by a stomach infection also known as gastroenteritis.
Vomiting is a common symptom of CMPA. However, babies with CMPA usually experience more than just one symptom and these symptoms can be very different from one baby to the next. Therefore it is always best to discuss it with your baby’s doctor/GP. They will look at the symptoms in detail and often use a symptom scoring system to decide if it is related to CMPA.
Keep a diary of when your baby feeds and of any symptoms that occur during or after feeding. Be sure to note down the time e.g., in minutes, hours or days, and when the symptom/s happened.
If your baby is breastfed, then mum should also record everything she is eating and drinking, as well as timings of symptoms after feeding. It’s a good idea to keep this diary for at least 1 week before seeing your doctor/GP.
If you are worried that your baby has symptoms related to cow's milk, you should seek advice from your doctor/GP. Whilst you are preparing to visit your doctor/GP, it can be a good idea to record your baby's symptoms over a few days.
Understand more about the steps towards
a possible diagnosis of CMPA
DIGESTIVE
Up to 34% of infants with CMPA have digestive symptoms
RESPIRATORY
Up to 30% of infants with CMPA have respiratory symptoms
ANAPHYLAXIS
Anaphylactic shock is a severe, immediate, allergic reaction, which can affect many parts of the body
SKIN
Up to 75% of infants with CMPA can have skin-related symptoms
