If your baby seems healthy and well and is bright and alert, you may just want to monitor their vomiting to see when and how often it happens - but note that the amount that a baby vomits can be hard to work out and may seem larger than it really is. However, if your baby has a temperature, is not feeding well, has diarrhoea or a rash, or experiences any other symptoms, your baby needs to see a doctor.
On average, a newborn baby’s stomach can hold around 20 millilitres, so it doesn’t take much milk for them to fill up and vomit the excess. Generally, mild vomiting occurs because a young baby is still getting used to feeding on, digesting and eliminating milk. If it's happening after most or all feeds, take your baby to a doctor. Projectile vomiting can be a symptom of a blockage at the outlet of a baby's stomach. Projectile vomiting is vomiting with force.A baby’s oesophagus (food pipe) is short, so when the valve opens and there’s only a short distance between it and their mouth, vomiting can occur. Reflux happens when the valve at the top of a baby’s stomach is not tight enough to keep milk in there.Possetting is the name for small amounts of milk brought up after a feed.There are a few different types of vomiting and although the result is the same, the reasons are different: Occasionally, vomiting can be a sign of illness or complications, but for most babies, vomiting and reflux occurs simply because their guts are still developing. However, as normal as vomiting is, it can also be worrying for parents. Related information on Australian websitesįrom birth to 12 months, babies are known to vomit - it’s just one of their design features.Does breast or formula feeding cause more vomiting?.What’s the difference between vomiting and reflux?.What are the different types of vomiting.