Vomiting is an abnormal event that tells us something is wrong with your child. Even the simple kind of throw up after a big party means that our child has at the very least eaten too much but may also tell us that the food she ate was not healthy, especially if she also has fever and stomach pain. This needs to be reviewed with your pediatrician and perhaps even need treatment Sometimes there is a stomach flu "going around" and your doctor may advise you to just slowly replace clear fluids like juice or tea or flat soda and expect some fever and diarrhea as well. It is a good idea to have a palatable balanced electrolyte solution on hand for these times and you can buy this at any drugstore without prescription. My favorite is the powder packet type since they don't go bad and they have a long shelf life and taste good (Kao Electrolyte). Always keep an eye on your child's general level of energy and her ability to communicate clearly with you in spite of the vomiting. Also look for signs of impending dehydration especially if she is also feverish and has diarrhea too.

Sometimes vomiting can be a signal that something unrelated to the gut is going on. Oddly children with strep throat frequently start out with vomiting. Some toddlers vomit if they have an ear infection because the middle ear is also responsible for the body's sense of equilibrium and if it is slightly "off" you may vomit (as in sea or car sickness). In rare cases vomiting may be the result of a head injury and if your child has had a recent fall and then develops vomiting it is essential that you consult with her doctor. Although many illnesses also lead to an occasional throw up, any child who is repeatedly vomiting along with a virus (like chicken pox) should be seen by the pediatrician.

Babies sometimes throw up soon after feeds and we usually ignore it and re name it "spitting up". In most cases that is exactly all it is and nothing needs to be done except maybe slowing down the speed of feeds and keeping the baby upright for a while after eating. If, however, the spitting up is forceful and the baby looks weak or pale, call the doctor to review the situation. Some babies have reflux which is causing the vomiting and actually making your child suffer with the pain of stomach acid ending up in the esophagus (food tube) and upper airway. This is often ignored and relegated to baby "spit up" but if weight loss or poor weight gain goes along with it, get it checked out. Some babies need antacids just like grown ups do. Rarely, and particularly in 2 month old boy babies, a spasm in the stomach can lead to a blockage called pyloric stenosis and this shows up as sudden violent projectile vomiting which needs immediate medical attention. It sometimes runs in the male side of the family (ask daddy or his mother about this).

Most vomiting ends abruptly after 1-5 episodes and as long as your child looks well and has no pain, carefully and slowly replace the lost fluids and just be careful about what she eats for a day or two. If others in the house start upchucking too you know it was something you all ate or something you all caught.