Is your little one vomiting? (Vomiting) Let's be aware of this!

I understand how scared and worried you must be as a mother when your little one, or even a little older child, vomits. Vomiting is very common in little ones, but it is very important to manage it properly and recognize the dangerous symptoms. So today, let's talk about all about vomiting.

What is vomiting? Why does it happen to little ones?

Simply put, vomiting is the act of bringing up something in the stomach – food, liquids, etc. – through the mouth. There can be many reasons for this. Sometimes it can be something minor, like overeating or eating something hard to digest, like some babies throwing up after they finish drinking milk. However, the most common cause of vomiting is a 'stomach flu' or, as we medically call it, a condition called 'gastroenteritis' . This is caused by an infection in the intestines, which causes vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. Some people call it 'stomach flu'. Sometimes it can also be caused by 'food poisoning' . This can happen if there is something wrong with the food you gave them, such as poor hygiene or improper cooking. The main and most dangerous risk of vomiting is the loss of water, salts (such as sodium and potassium), and important minerals from the child's body. We call this 'dehydration' . Since young children's bodies are very sensitive, and their body contains less water, they are much more likely to become dehydrated than adults. That is why we need to be very careful when vomiting, especially about giving the child fluids back.

What should I do if my child vomits?

Okay, now let's look at what you can do at home when your child vomits. First of all, don't panic. Most of the time, if you do these things correctly, you can control the situation.

Don't do these things first!

If the child is vomiting, or has been vomiting for some time, do not give him dairy foods (milk powder, cow's milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.) for any reason. Similarly , do not give him solid foods (rice, vegetables, pieces of fruit, bread, biscuits, etc.). Do you know why? When he is vomiting, the stomach's function, that is, the digestive process, is disturbed and weakened. If you give him milk or solid foods at this time, it will become even more heavy on the stomach, making it difficult to digest, and the vomiting may increase. It is like throwing straw on a fire. Therefore, you need to give the stomach some rest first.

Start giving fluids little by little.

The most important thing is to replace the water and salts that were lost through vomiting. This is how you prevent dehydration. But remember, it's not a good idea to give a large amount at once - like a glass of water - because giving it can cause vomiting again. Giving it little by little, often, is the best way.

For young babies (such as those under 6 months, exclusively breastfed or formula-fed):

• If you are breastfeeding your baby, that is the best and safest thing to do. Continue to breastfeed. But don't let him suck for too long at a time, let him suck a little, often. For example, if a baby usually sucks for 15 minutes, let him suck for about 5-7 minutes and then give him another feed after a while. If the baby doesn't vomit after two or three hours, you can gradually increase the time he sucks.
• If you are not breastfeeding, or if a doctor recommends it, you can give Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) . This is available in packets from pharmacies. It should be prepared with the prescribed amount of water (distilled water) according to the instructions. Give a teaspoon (about 5 ml) of the prepared solution every 15 to 20 minutes. If the baby has difficulty drinking, you can also give it slowly, little by little, from the side of the mouth with a clean syringe (without a needle).

For slightly older children (after 6 months, starting complementary foods, up to a few years old):

• It is also very good to give ORS to children of this age. Give them one or two tablespoons (about 15-30 ml) every 15 minutes.
• In addition to Jeevani, if the child likes it, you can also give small amounts of other clear liquids:
• Put a few ice cubes in your mouth and let them suck (especially if your throat feels dry).
• You can give a little ginger ale or lemon-lime soda that has been completely degassed . (To degass, leave the soda uncovered for a while, or stir it well with a spoon.)
• Clear broth , which means just the water that comes out after boiling meat or vegetables (less salt and chili).
• An ice pop (less sugar , preferably made with fruit juice ).
• A little fruit juice diluted with water (e.g. apple juice with one drop of water). You can also give a little orange juice (not too much).

Imagine, when Nimal's son was vomiting, he gave him a bottle of water at once. The little one drank it eagerly, but within five minutes he vomited it all again. Then, as the doctor had said, he started giving him two tablespoons of water every 15 minutes, and the vomiting stopped. That's why it's important to give him little by little.It's like watering a small plant. If you water a lot at once, it will overflow, but if you water it little by little, it will be absorbed into the soil.

If your baby vomits again, don't panic or get upset . Wait about 20 to 30 minutes (giving your baby a little more rest), and then start giving him fluids again, as instructed. Stay strong, Mom! You can do this.

Increase fluid intake slightly after 3-4 hours without vomiting.

Imagine that your child has not vomited for about 3 or 4 hours after drinking the fluids you gave them. That's a very good sign! It means that their stomach is starting to accept fluids. Now you can slowly increase the amount of fluids they give. That means if you gave them a teaspoon, give them one and a half to two teaspoons. If you gave them a tablespoon, give them one and a half tablespoons. After a few more hours, increase it a little more. But don't increase it too much at once, okay?

What if you don't vomit for about 8 hours?

If the child is fine for about 8 hours without vomiting, it means that the stomach is getting better. Now we can slowly start giving them some light food that is not too hard on the stomach.

For little babies:

• If you are breastfeeding a baby, continue to breastfeed as usual. Feed as much as your baby wants, when he or she wants.
• If your baby is formula -fed , start small. Start with about half the usual amount, about 1-2 ounces. If there is no vomiting, gradually increase the amount to the normal amount.

For older children:

Children of this age should be given foods that are light on the stomach, easy to digest, and not spicy. We call this a 'Bland Diet' . These will not aggravate stomach upset. Here are a few examples:

• Some white rice (crushed, it doesn't matter if it's like porridge, just add a little salt)
• Applesauce (homemade is even better, with no or very little sugar)
• A slice of bread (no butter or jam, toasted is fine)
• A light cereal (e.g. rice cereal. Without milk, or with a little water)
• Some low-salt crackers
• Some boiled potatoes (diced)
• A banana (well-ripe, mashed)

Try giving these things little by little. If the child eats them willingly and doesn't vomit, that's fine. Don't feed them too much at once.

What if you go 24 hours without vomiting?

If your child is fine without vomiting for a full day, that is, 24 hours, you can slowly transition back to their normal eating and drinking routine.But don't give heavy, oily, or spicy foods all at once. It's best to give your baby light food for another day or two until their stomach is completely back to normal. "However, if they start vomiting again, or if they seem upset, you should definitely see a doctor. Don't forget that."

If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately! (Red Flags)

Okay, so we've been talking about things you can do at home. But there are some cases where home treatment is not enough and you need to seek medical advice immediately. These are the 'Red Flags'. If your child has any of these symptoms, please take them to a doctor without delay. These are not toys, okay?

"The child's safety is the most important thing. If you have the slightest doubt, if you can't figure out whether this is normal or not, it's always wise to ask a doctor."

Here are some of those dangerous symptoms, keep them in mind:

• If you are showing clear signs of dehydration :
• If your mouth, lips, and tongue appear dry, it may even look like something is stuck to the white part of your tongue.
• If tears do not come out when crying (in babies over 2-3 months old).
• If your eyes look sunken and hollow.
• If you urinate much less often than usual, for example, if you haven't urinated for about 6-8 hours (if the diaper is dry), or if the color of your urine is very dark yellow.
• If the fontanelle on the top of a baby's head seems to have sunk in.
• If the skin is dry to the touch, if the body feels cold, if the child seems very sleepy and weak.
• If you can't keep down any of the fluids you give. That means if you keep vomiting every time you give them, even if they give you small amounts.
• If the color and texture of the vomit changes:
• If you vomit a greenish-yellow liquid (called `bile`), this could mean a blockage in the intestines.
• If you vomit coffee grounds- colored vomit (this may indicate bleeding from the intestines, and the blood is old and turns this color).
• If fresh blood comes with a red tint .
• If your child's stomach feels hard to the touch, feels bloated like a balloon, or if your child says they have severe stomach pain or cries non-stop (especially when you touch their stomach).
• If the child is excessively restless, constantly screaming and crying, and is difficult to comfort .
• If a boy's scrotum appears swollen, red, and painful to the touch .
• A newborn baby (less than a month old) may vomit forcefully.If it comes. That is, if you vomit so hard that it comes out of your mouth (this may be a symptom of a condition like `pyloric stenosis`).
• If there is a persistent high fever (over 100.4 Fahrenheit / 38 Celsius) along with vomiting, especially in a baby under 3 months of age, the fever is not a joke.
• If the child is very sleepy, difficult to wake, or lifeless .
• If vomiting continues for more than two days (even with home treatment).

If you have any of these symptoms, please do not stay at home any longer, thinking, "Let's wait a little longer," but immediately see a doctor or take them to a hospital. Sometimes you may need to give them saline solution or be hospitalized for other treatments.

What can be done to prevent vomiting?

There's a saying that goes, 'Prevention is better than cure,' right? It means that it's better to prevent the disease from developing than to treat it after it has developed. So we can try to prevent some of the causes of vomiting, especially those caused by infections.

• Hand washing is the most important and easiest thing! It's like a disinfectant. Both you and your child should wash their hands regularly with soap and water. Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds.
• Especially before preparing food and before eating it.
• After handling things like raw meat, fish, and eggs.
• After going to the bathroom (teach this habit to your child too).
• After playing, after coming home from outings.
• After touching an animal.

Washing your hands properly during these times can go a long way in preventing germs that cause stomach upset from entering your body.

• Keep your child as far away from anyone who has a stomach ache (vomiting, diarrhea) as possible. Do not let your child use items such as dishes, cups, or towels that have been used by such people.
• Be clean when preparing and storing food.
• Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating.
• Cook food thoroughly. Undercooked food can harbor germs.
• Keep leftover food tightly covered in the refrigerator. Don't leave it out for too long. Use it quickly.
• Do not give expired food to children.
• If your baby drinks from a bottle, wash the bottle and teat thoroughly with hot water and soap after each use, and sterilize ( by boiling or steaming) them.
• Teach your child about cleanliness from a young age. Teach them good habits like washing their hands before eating and covering their mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze.
• Make sure your child gets their vaccinations on time. Some vaccines protect against serious infections that cause vomiting and diarrhea, such as rotavirus.

If you follow these simple steps, you will go a long way in saving your child from stomach problems like frequent vomiting.

Finally, I have to say... (Take-Home Message)

So, Mom and Dad, I think you now have a better understanding of vomiting in a child. Remember, although vomiting is common in a young child, it is not a good idea to take it lightly. The most important thing is to prevent dehydration. That is why we have told you to give ORS or other appropriate fluids, little by little, frequently. Also, always be aware of dangerous symptoms (red flags). If you have the slightest doubt, do not wait until it is too late, or listen to what others say, but see a doctor immediately. Only a doctor can tell you exactly what your child's condition is and what to do. I understand that not only the child, but also you are very worried, tired, and sleepless nights when vomiting occurs. But if you keep your mind strong, keep these points in mind, and work patiently, your child will recover quickly.

"Wishing your beloved child a speedy recovery! Everything is fine, don't be afraid!"

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Vomiting, Child Health, Dehydration, Jeevani, Home Remedies, Stomach Aches, Pediatric Diseases