It can be difficult to determine a cause when your baby vomits. Especially in cases when no other symptoms are obvious, finding the source can be troublesome. Most cases of vomiting are no reason for concern, but some may require medical intervention. If your baby is vomiting repeatedly, seems lethargic or more irritable than usual, or cannot keep fluids down for several hours, he should be evaluated by his pediatrician, MedlinePlus advises.
Infection and Illness
Once a baby is past the newborn stage, vomiting is often caused by a viral or bacterial infection, according to BabyCenter. These illnesses, commonly called the stomach flu, can also cause diarrhea, a fever, fussiness and lack of appetite. These infections are contagious and can be spread to parents, the child's siblings and other people she has been in contact with. If vomiting is severe or coupled with diarrhea, dehydration can result. Even infections that do not affect the gastrointestinal tract can cause vomiting in babies. For example, the severe congestion that accompanies a cold or respiratory-tract infection can cause some babies to vomit.
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD or acid reflux, can cause vomiting and spitting up in babies. In these infants, the vomiting typically gets worse over the first few months of life, and often occurs immediately after eating, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Simple steps, such as more frequent but smaller feedings and keeping your baby upright for a half-hour after eating, can help curb vomiting associated with GERD. In severe cases, medications are also available.
Allergies
A food allergy can cause vomiting in babies. For example, if the baby is allergic to milk and is eating a milk-based formula or the breast milk from a mother who consumed milk, she may vomit frequently and regularly, especially after eating. In these cases, switching to another type of formula or avoiding milk in your own diet can solve the problem.
Feeding Problems
Newborns may vomit or spit up because of a problem related to feeding. In particular, a baby who is overfed may vomit or spit up, according to BabyCenter. Some babies get indigestion after feeding, which can cause vomiting. This type of vomiting most commonly occurs in the hour after the baby eats and can be minimized with frequent burping, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises.
Pyloric Stenosis
A condition called pyloric stenosis can cause vomiting in babies. In babies with the condition, the muscle linking the stomach and small intestine is too thick and food cannot properly pass through, causing vomiting. Pyloric stenosis is most common in babies younger than six months and rarely occurs after that age.
