A baby that vomits excessively may have a medical problem that needs treatment. In older children, vomiting often indicates a stomach virus. However, babies vomit for a variety of reasons. Physical abnormalities that may need surgical or medical treatment can cause excessive vomiting. Severe vomiting from viral illnesses sometimes lead to serious complications such as dehydration.
Gastrointestinal Reflux
Babies that spit up frequently in the first few months may have gastrointestinal reflux, also called acid reflux or GER. In infants, the muscle between the stomach and esophagus may not close tightly at first, which allows milk to backflow from the stomach. Babies with GER often improve by 12 to 18 months, according to MayoClinic.com. If your baby also has pain, vomiting and fails to gain weight, she may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Babies with GERD may require medications to decrease acid production or, in rare cases, surgery, MayoClinic.com states.
Pyloric Stenosis
Pyloric stenosis causes vomiting that starts around the age of 3 weeks and usually occurs in boys. Pyloric stenosis, a thickening of the muscle between the stomach and small intestine, causes projectile vomiting that can land across the room. A baby with pyloric stenosis is hungry after vomiting, doesn't appear ill until he becomes dehydrated and may fail to gain weight. Surgery is the main treatment for pyloric stenosis, although balloon dilation of the muscle may be used for babies who may not tolerate general anesthesia.
Viral Infections
Stomach viruses often start with several bouts of vomiting and possible fever the first day, followed by diarrhea the next day. A baby can become dehydrated in 12 hours of severe vomiting. Don't give anything by mouth during the active vomiting phase, with vomiting every 5 to 30 minutes. Once vomiting slows to every one to two hours, offer small amounts of fluid. If the first phase of vomiting lasts more than eight hours in an infant less than 1 year old, call your doctor, the Ask Dr. Sears website recommends.
Intussusception
Intussusception occurs when one piece of the intestine slides inside the other, blocking the passage of food. Intussusception normally occurs between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, affecting boys four times more often than girls, according to MedlinePlus. Intussusception starts suddenly, with abdominal pain that comes in waves. A baby will draw his knees up to his abdominal while crying with pain. Vomiting, fever and passage of a "currant jelly" stool, with blood mixed with mucus, are hallmarks of the disorder. The intestine can perforate, causing severe intestinal infection called peritonitis without prompt surgical repair.
