Vomit V. Spit Up

Updated on May 27, 2008
M.O. asks from Denver, CO
5 answers

What is the difference between vomit and spit up? Do babies only spit up milk, or can they spit up food too? When does spitting up stop? Is vomit only projectile? What is the difference?

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So What Happened?

My daughten never spit up much, even as a new born. She got a rash two days ago. It's on her trunk (front and back) and shoulders. She is not running a fever, but seems to be "spitting up" something foul after every solid meal, which she has never done before. We don't know if this is an allergic reaction or a viral rash. Doc says it sounds viral, but it might be allergic. My mom had her the day before this rash appeared. She fed her poppyseed cake, watermelon, apricots, and whole grain cereal all of which she has never had before! The doc said if it was a food allergy symptoms would have shown up soon after she had ingested it. She went swimming the day before her body was bombarded with new foods, so it could be linkied to that too. I am just wondering if she is throwing up or spitting up.

More Answers

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J.P.

answers from Provo on

I just wanted to suggest looking into your diet - your DD may be allergic to something. My DD spit up like crazy after feedings - she would soak two to three cloth diapers I used for burp rags! I later discovered she couldn't handle dairy, and so cut it out of my diet. Things improved right away! When my second started doing the same thing, I cut out dairy and he was just fine!
If your DD is on solids, be careful about what you feed her too. My DD ended up being allergic to rice - still is - so all of the baby crackers, baby cereals (most of them anyway) and baby snacks would make her very sick - to the point that she would just be vomiting yellow bile after a while until we figured out what was going on.
Good luck with your Halloween Baby!

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E.C.

answers from Salt Lake City on

In my experience, vomit is projectile and spit up is anytime. My daughter spit up all the time (milk and food). She was pretty much wearing a bib for first entire year. It could be acid reflux too. As my daughter got older (she is 2) she is on Prevacid Solutab. I have noticed a considerable difference w the spitting up.

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A.R.

answers from Denver on

In my experience, the main difference between vomit and spit up was how my baby reacted to it. My son had reflux and spit up what seemed like his entire meal every time he ate.(like the other post, he too gained weight well etc.) I knew he was sick when he seemed in distress and was upset by it. Also, if it happened and it wasn't associated with a meal it was usually vomit. The smell is typically different as well (although not always). Food can be spit up as much as milk so what comes out isn't as important. Spitting up should slow down as your baby's digestive system improves, usually between 6 mos and a year. HTH

A.

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

Spit up is like a calm fountain at anytime mostly after a meal. Vomit is usually projectile. At least that's what I remember the Dr. saying. Yes, kids can spit up food. It depends on the kid how long it continues. We had a horrible spitter who quit at almost a year. We had one with severe reflux that didn't spit up nearly as much and stopped shortly after starting food, but then did occasionally vomit. If you have concerns, it's worth checking with your doctor, although if weight gain is okay and food isn't a problem, there's probably nothing to be concerned about. Choking or gagging would be something to bring it up for. GL! I hope it ends soon!

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K.B.

answers from Provo on

Vomit is NOT always projectile. Spit up is not necessarily always 'calm' either. One main difference with my own children was the smell. If they vomited you knew it! It smelled like vomit! Spit up has a distinctly different smell usually. My first was a HUGE spitter, but he gained weight fine, and still did it just as much when he ate less. I used at least one cloth diaper with every feeding, and sometimes it came out forcefully as projectile vomit would, but it was still spit up. This is my own experience and I hope it helps.

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