9 Month Old Throwing up During Meals

I had the same thing happen with my daughter a few weeks ago. I took her to the doctor because I was worried there was something wrong with her. The doctor said she has acid reflux and that gag reflex gets really sensitive. He prescribed zantac and she's been doing great on it. She is hungrier than she used to be and no more gaggin or throwing up. She goes for her 1 year check up in a month and I'll probably talk to the doctor about getting her off the meds.

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K.,

Both of my boys are gaggy :) I remember with my older son would get too much in his mouth and rather than spit it out, he'd gag and EVERYTHING would come up. If they have stuffy noses that contributes as well.

I would ask your pediatrician about it. My boys both have grown out of it (mostly) but it still happens if they are sick (with colds or ear infections).

J.

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Hi K.! Well, this doesn't sound normal to me, but all I have are more questions for you. It doesn't sound like you have reason to think he's got something lodged or that this is flu-related. Do you notice if it seems painful? Does it go down and then come up, or does he gag as soon as it touches his throat? Have you had reason to suspect reflux up to now? How did he do w/baby cereal and other mushy foods?

I'm asking b/c it sounds like he gagged on the pureed (slimy, mushy) food but not on the crunchy food (crackers). Can you recognize any patterns here? Does he have other sensory issues (like doesn't like touching grass, doesn't like the feel of tags in his clothes, doesn't like his hands to be messy, etc.)? If the problem persists much longer, I'd call my doctor. I think looking into reflux or something known as "oral definsiveness" (rejection of certain textures) are your best options right now. Medication can help one; an OT or ST can help the other (as can avoiding those foods which seem to trigger his rejection). My son had reflux and oral definisiveness to mushy, wet textures, but he'll eat basil right off the stem as well as more mature foods/flavors as long as they're strong textures/flavors. My daughter is the same way.

Good luck!
J.

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Hi K.,
Both of my boys were/are like this. For both of them, it was a "oh, lets see what this is for" kindof thing. We just tell them no and to close their mouths. They still try it now and again, but a no is all it takes to stop them from a big mess!

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Have you introduced a new food lately? He might be allergic to what you are feeding him. Back off his food back to the "basics you knew he could tolerate. Introduce 1 new food slowly after at least 2 weeks between each new food. This might be your answer. good luck

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Yes, I know exactly what you mean. My first son did this and it eventually got better, but it still happens on occassion and he's 3 1/2. For him it was certain textures and flavors. If he doesn't like it he gags, even if he previously liked it. Whatever food it was routinely happening to I'd either mix it with something he liked or not feed it to him. For example my son gagged on the rice cereal so I had to give it to him pretty thin even as an older baby and mix fruit in it. It also helped to give small bites. Big bites made him gag.

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A lil one around that age I was babysitting was doing the same thing so I just figured she wasn't quite ready for eating what I was giving her I stopped feeding her that and she never gagged or threw up again and then when she was closer to age1 I started trying to those foods again and she had no problem. So maybe wait a month or two and try again.

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It sounds like he's having difficulty swallowing the more complex foods. I'd cut back to pureed foods until you're able to see your pediatrician to make sure it's not acid-reflux.

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have you asked your dr? there are homeopathic people out there. I know someone you could take him to. You literally walk into his office and he can tell you if he can help. I do know someone else that he helped with an eating disorder. where are you located? he is in Madison WI. feel free to email me.....

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It could be that his tummy just isn't ready for those kinds of food yet. Some pediatricians don't recommend solids to even start until age 1yr! Maybe, slow down on advancing his diet and stick to stage 1 or 2 for a while. Also, is there any chance he's choking on anything? The food may just be too big for him to chew/swallow. There also could be a food allergy, so pay attention to what he eats when he throws up and see if there are similar ingredients in those items. It may also be as simple as a flu bug that he's trying to get rid of.
One other thing, if none of the above works or is possible: I once babysat a child (2yr) who kept gagging and throwing up when she ate. They finally x-rayed her throat and found a quarter lodged upright in there! They had missed it in a previous x-ray! Very scary, but just something for all mom's to keep in mind! Good Luck!

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Hi K. -

My son is 20 months, and he has had a "virus" three times this winter that sounds like what your son has. For a week or two, my son will not have his usual appetite, then throw up maybe once a day, or even once every two or three days. Usually at meals or in the car.

ecause he is not vomiting every time he eats, and he instantly feels better after he vomits, it doesn't seem like he is sick. He had this last week - vomited Sun night, Wednesday, Friday, and then was finally eating his normal amounts by this Monday morning. This time diarrhea accompanied the illness, but it doesn't always.

I would feed through it, but stick with bland foods, and I cut out dairy except yogurt during this time. He never got sick like this before age 1 (during breastfeeding), but I don't think you should cut out breastmilk or formula.

We took him to the Dr. the first time he had this, and they just said, "Probably a virus, feed through it if he is willing to eat, stick with bland foods and BRAT "anti-diarrhea" diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, call if changes"

Of course, take him to the Dr. if you feel that's prudent, but otherwise I would watch him carefully and hopefully it will stop in the next few days. Good luck!

JAM

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