Question
Dear Doctor! My baby vomited twice last night, and she looked very uncomfortable during the vomiting. However, there were no other unusual symptoms afterward. Although there have been instances of vomiting before, they were all during the day. What if we don’t notice when she vomits at night? I am very worried! Could you please help me with this?
Answer
Vomiting is a common symptom of the digestive system, including vomiting and regurgitation. Regurgitation refers to a small amount of milk returning to the mouth, which is not considered vomiting and does not affect growth and development. It usually disappears around 6 months after birth. Newborns have a small stomach capacity, a horizontal position, a relaxed esophagus, and an underdeveloped sphincter connecting the esophagus. Their nervous regulation function of intestinal peristalsis and the secretion of gastric acid and protease are also poor, which is why newborns, especially premature infants, are prone to vomiting. The most common cause of vomiting is improper feeding, accounting for about 1/4 of newborn vomiting cases. The main reasons include overfeeding, inappropriate milk concentration, unsuitable milk temperature, too small a nipple hole, lying down immediately after feeding, excessively early turning over the baby, and violent crying. Mild vomiting and regurgitation have little impact on the body, but repeated vomiting can lead to disturbances in fluid and acid-base balance, manifesting as dehydration, convulsions, and coma. Severe vomiting may cause vomit to be inhaled into the airway, leading to aspiration pneumonia. It can block the airways of weak infants and premature infants, causing asphyxiation and death. When the baby vomits…