We believe breast milk is the best food for infants. When in consultation with their healthcare professional, mothers and families find that optimal breastfeeding is not possible due to their infant’s medical condition, formulas for special medical purposes play a vital role in providing essential nutrients to infants. We have a global commitment to market breast-milk substitutes responsibly.
This website is about the management of cows’ milk protein allergy and nutritional solutions intended for infants. By continuing on this website, you accept that Nestlé Health Science supplies the information at your own request.
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SYMPTOM: VOMITING
What is baby vomiting?
Baby vomiting, much like in adults, is the involuntary expulsion of the stomach contents. An episode of vomiting will generally resolve by itself within 6 to 24 hours after it starts. It is important to ensure that your baby receives plenty of fluid during this time to avoid dehydration.
Why is my baby vomiting?
Whilst it is normal for babies to vomit on occasions, there can be many causes. The most common cause of vomiting in babies and children is gastroenteritis or stomach flu, as it is sometimes referred to. This is an infection of the gut usually caused by a virus or bacteria, which also causes diarrhoea.
Another cause of baby vomiting is reflux. Reflux happens because the tube that carries your baby's food to his stomach (oesophagus) is still developing, so milk can sometimes come back up after a feed.
Sometimes, a baby can vomit if they have a bad cold or flu. Congestion in the nose can lead to a nasal drip in the throat. This can trigger bouts of fierce coughing that sometimes cause vomiting in babies.
A food allergy such as Cows’ Milk Allergy (CMA) may also be responsible for your baby’s vomiting.
Almost 50% of babies with CMA have vomiting as a symptom
Could it be Cows’ Milk Allergy?
If your baby is vomiting after feeding or your baby is throwing up milk, this could be a sign of CMA. Baby vomiting is a common symptom for babies with CMA. Babies with CMA usually experience more than just one symptom and these symptoms can be very different from one another.
If you think that your baby is vomiting more than what may be their usual amount, it may be CMA. You may have even noticed other symptoms (besides vomiting, such as swelling, rashes, and inconsolable crying), which may affect other parts of your baby’s body. Symptoms can develop minutes or even hours after feeding.
For a simple and easy way to understand the symptoms associated with CMA, you can use our symptom checklist or symptom diary to track symptoms.
This will allow you to select all the symptoms that your baby may have that can be cows’ milk-related. You can then discuss these with your doctor.
How can I treat my baby's vomiting?
Usually, baby vomiting will resolve itself within a few days and is usually nothing to worry about. However, it is important to ensure your baby is hydrated.
In any case, if you have any doubts or concerns about your baby’s health, you should always seek advice from a medical professional as soon as possible. The information on this website should not replace medical advice from a medical professional.
SmilesBack App
Cows’ milk allergy (CMA) is a common food allergy in baby’s and young children but it is often challenging to diagnose and may take many months and doctors appointments. If you suspect that your baby might have cows’ milk allergy, you can use SmilesBack to help shorten the journey to diagnosis and help put smiles back where they belong.
SmilesBack is an easy-to-use app that has been developed with allergy experts and tested by parents. It enables you to easily record your baby’s symptoms and feeds and summarise them in a one-page, expert-designed report, to support your doctor before they make a diagnosis.
