In the Morning He Wakes up Fine but After His Nap Hes Sick

Updated on November 29, 2007
S.E. asks from Elk Grove, CA
25 answers

I'm not quite sure even how to explain. First off my son whose 17 months had the stomach flu last weekend. That was last week. This week he was fine on Tues, Weds, and Thurs. On Friday he woke up at 8:00am as normal, ate a bowl of cereal, played, had a snack, played, then took a nap. Now when he woke up from his nap it was like he couldn't wake up. He was fussy and wanted me to hold him for the rest of the evening. He threw up twice. So i figured he was sick again. No fever. I gave him a bath and put him to bed.
Saturday he woke up at 8:00am. Same thing. He ate and he played. Like nothing was the matter the night before. He took a nap and again he woke up and was acting sick again. He didn't throw up on Saturday night but he went to bed at 6:00pm.
Sunday again everything was fine in the morning. We even got up and went to the store. He was fine. After waking up from his nap yesterday he just laid around. He then threw up a few hours later. Thats when i put him to bed.
I'm trying to figure out what is wrong. Every morning he wakes up in the best mood then he wakes up and looks awful after his nap. Does anyone know what might be causing this?

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S.F.

answers from Honolulu on

Well it could be a reaction to something he's eating or something in his environment. Is it a new cereal, different brand, something in the house that's different? Is there something environmentally different in the home? It doesn't necessary have to be an immediate reaction. Is he sleeping someplace different for his nap? Try eliminating common allergic foods. Milk, eggs, wheat (gluten) are all common.

That's a tough one. Could be a digestive issue. I'd go for a Doc visit if it continues into next week.

Alternative med doctors can often find things that mainstream docs can't. That's been my experience anyway.

I hope this helps in some way.

S. K

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K.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

Was he eating the same thing each time? He could have a food allergy... they do strange things. Or the food could be tainted. I would take him into his pediatrician... and bring in what he eats so the doc can test his food.

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C.S.

answers from Modesto on

I had a similiar situation with my youngest son. Ended up he was actually allergic to rice cereal and also to soy formula. I have always breastfed but needed to suppliment at one time. I am thinking it is definately something that he is eating. I would start eliminating "suspect" foods from his diet to see if that helps. If it continues after determining that it isn't the food, take him to the doctor. Or better yet, take him and get him tested for allergies, etc. They can better help you. I am unaware of any viruses, etc., at this time that might cause it, but you never know. Also, he may have a milk allergy.

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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

take him to the pediatrician!

1 mom found this helpful
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Y.D.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi S.,
Have you spoken to your pediatrician yet? Our kids are lactose intolerant, which made our daughter throw up a lot too. Is there a relation to what he eats/drinks before his nap?

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K.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Your son obviously is NOT over his virus yet: it typically takes a good week for a child to get over the stomach flu. He feels good and is happy in the morning because he's had a good nights rest - then you feed him a normal breakfast, and that sours his stomach again. One of the mistakes that many mothers can make when dealing with a child recooperating from the stomach flu is feeding them too much too soon before their tummies are actually ready to go back to a regular food schedule. They are so worried that their little ones have been throwing up and not eating regularly, they jump the gun by giving them too much and inappropriate foods because they just want them to eat.
Feed him small, light meals: for breakfast, lightly buttered toast and applesauce (NO MILK!!) - oatmeal, pancakes, waffles are all to heavy and have to much lactose in them that can easily upset a recovering tummy. Feed him things like chicken noodle soup, scrambled eggs, crackers - light, simple things and hold off on his milk intake for a few days. Have him drink water or pedialyte (my daughter gets a treat of gatoraide when she is sick like that) and take it easy.
Dont hesitate to call the ped: he will probably recommend something similar!

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L.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sounds like a call or trip to your pediatrician is warranted. Hope he feels better soon!

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L.G.

answers from San Francisco on

How are his eyes looking? Are his pupils dilating correctly... I would take him in. I don't mean to scare you but I had a friend a few years back that had a son like this happy happy threw up a few times a day, then nothing then once a day like clockwork iirc. Pretty much just a lythargic happy guy. Turns out his throwing up was from his brain stem being irritated and he had a menigitis type viral illness that infected his brain stem and he passed away (retrospectively you could see in his eyes that his brain was doing something wonky, his eyes weren't dilating right). The lethargy and somewhat regularity of the throwing up raise some flags. I'd take him in to get a base line of what might be going on.

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G.D.

answers from Modesto on

I do not want to alarm you...but yetserday I saw in Discovery Chanel about a child that had this same symptoms...and turns out he had a bith defect!!! Stomach was upside down and in the chest cavity!!! Henia in the diafram (not sure if I spelled it correctly)They found out this when he was X-rayed... Now I am not saying this is going on with your child but you might want to have him checked out for this...that way you will be sure!!!

The child was fine all day...it was only until after lunchtime that he would throw up!!! He would be fine all morning!!! Love, G.. :0)

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J.A.

answers from San Francisco on

I am an acupuncturist who treats a lot of kids. I would take him to the pediatrician right away. There are so many things, besides the flu, that create vomiting in little ones and if he is having an allergic reaction or other internal medicine disorder, a quick diagnosis can go a long way. Good luck these symptoms are unusual.

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W.W.

answers from Sacramento on

Take him to the doctor, that doesn't sound normal.

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A.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

The only thing that I can think of is that sometimes after a viral illness children will develop a temporary lactose intolerance that can last a couple days to a couple weeks. Perhaps this is happening and whatever he is eating/drinking in the AM is not sitting well in his tummy as it tries to digest. Then after he throws it up and sleeps through the night his tummy is ok again. This has happened to my son twice after he has had a virus. My doctor said that their digestion enzymes are thrown off or something. Maybe try cutting out any dairy in the AM and see what happens. Good luck!

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E.V.

answers from Stockton on

My son had a stomach flu a few months ago. Our Pediatrician told us to stay away from dairy for about a week. You mention his naps are after he eats, is he having milk or cheese? Even though he doesn't seem sick anymore he may still have the bug. If you're worried, but don't want to head to the doctor quite yet, most insurance provider's offer a free advice nurse you can call. I've called ours a few times and they've been very helpful. Hope your little guy feels better soon!

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A.T.

answers from San Francisco on

You might want to go see a doctor. I don't know what it is, but I'm sure his pediatrician can find out. :) My prayers are with you. :)

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S.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I wouldn't hesitate to take him to the doctor either.

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D.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi S.,
Was your child vaccinated recently? If yes, this could be a vaccine reaction. Next, your child could be having an allergic reaction to the cereal he is eating in the morning. Many children are allergic to wheat products ie. cereals and dairy products ie. milk. The allergy could be weakening his system and bringing on the onset of a flu. His body fights it off and than back on the foods again kick him back into the illness. Children can have flu like reactions to food allergies and they may not show up right away.
Hope this helps. Mommy & doctor, Heidi

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J.W.

answers from Salinas on

Sounds like it could be something you are feeding him. I would think about any dairy, wheat, nuts, even fruit you are giving him between AM and his nap. They are so sensitive- he could have an allergy. Eliminate things one by one- keep a food journal of everything he eats and drinks for a week.
Good luck.

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L.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

What did he eat before his nap? Maybe he's eating something that is upsetting his stomach.

Or is he taking any medicine? That also could be it, if he is.

The other thing it could be is that he might have some stubborn teeth trying to break through. Have you looked inside of his mouth at his gums? Are there any red, blue or purple spots or bumps where teeth could be trying to pop out?

Hope you find out what the problem is. Good luck.

Lisa

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T.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

It could be something environmental. Are you using disinfectant cleaners when he naps, or running the drier, maybe a gas or carbon monoxide leak... Just think about what is different when he naps, vs. when he sleeps at night.

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A.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

The only thing that sets off a flag for me is lethargy. From what I know about what my Pediatrician says and what I have researched. If the child starts to act lethargic and isn’t active (a pretty big thing for a toddler), then there might be something to look into. I would call my doctor. That stomach flu that is going around is pretty nasty; we have had it three times now. Second time it took out the entire family for days. Make sure everyone is getting a lot of fluids. Let us know what happens.

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L.O.

answers from San Francisco on

S., My advice to you is to get your baby to the pediatrician. Throwing up can easily dehydrate a baby (even 17 months old), especially if it happens repeatedly. He could have a food allergy, an environmental allergy, some kind of bowel obstruction from something he swallowed, or even just a virus---but it has been going on too long. A common myth is that there is such thing as a "stomach flu" (I'm a nurse)--there is either the flu, or food poisoning. Don't wait another minute--your child can't tell you about his symptoms like an adult can. Best wishes to you. Call the doctor.

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K.M.

answers from Honolulu on

my son's lactose intolerance developed at 18 mos. after 6 mos of being fine with cow milk. vomiting, loose stools, stomache pain that made him cry a lot and sleep a lot about 12-24 hours after his sippy of milk. 5 now and still can't have it. worth looking into. good luck.

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C.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Have you spoken to his pediatrician about this??? I am quite suprised that a mother of a 5 year old and a 17 month old would be writing for advice on a website!! something could be terribly wrong (or not), either way, you really should contact your pediatrician.

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T.P.

answers from San Francisco on

He may still be recovering. Babies' tummies are so sensitive. I'd suggest no dairy (if he has it with cereal) and really bland food for a few more days. I had one child who also had a very sensitive tummy and I swear that kid got so she could throw up on command! She could never keep medicines down.

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J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I bet he has allergies to food.
Ask your doctor about it.
My cousin's daughter has severe allergies and threw up all the time as a baby. She still does if she is around the foods she has allergies to.

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