What if a baby throws up when pooping? The baby in this Q&A is throwing up when straining to poop.
What can this be, and how can you help your baby?
Mom’s Question:
It started a little over 3 months ago. My baby would strain so hard trying to poop that he would throw up everywhere. Out his nose, his mouth, all over the place. He would push, grunt, red-faced, and couldn’t breathe. The doctor told us it was Reflux but nothing helped. He did tests for Pyloric Stenosis. The tests came back negative.
He then put him on a strict eating schedule. Only eating every 4 hours and eating 3 oz. Plus he was on Zantac. My son then became underweight. Soon the symptoms cleared up and we went back to regular. He ate 6oz every 3 hours, was a happy baby, and had no problems.
Three days ago the symptoms reappeared. Just as my baby was finally up to par on weight. Now he doesn’t eat and if he does it’s no more than 3oz. This is happening as I’m trying to introduce him to solids so now that’s got to be put on hold. He has his hard time pooping and gets sick every time he strains.
The doctor says his Reflux is back. BUT my friends who have babies with Reflux said that theirs are not like my son when he poops. That’s his only problem is when pooping.
We don’t really know what to think or do. Any ideas?
Brittney
Baby Throws Up When Pooping While Introducing Solids
Acid Reflux Sounds Reasonable
Poor boy (very cute little fellow!). I find it completely possible that your son has a mild form of acid reflux. But whether that is the only problem is, of course, hard to tell. Have you tried talking to another pediatrician to get a second opinion?
It sounds like a strange comment by the Dr that the “reflux is back”. I don’t think reflux mysteriously comes and goes. It is more a matter of your baby’s stools now being harder, and the reflux making your baby throw up when straining to poop.
But do get a second opinion!
How to Help Constipated Baby with Baby Food Introduction
The fact that your son has become constipated now that you are introducing solid baby food is completely normal. Some babies really need a very slow introduction of baby food to avoid tummy pain and constipation.
My youngest was like that. He didn’t throw up, but cried and cried while pooping both the first and second time I tried to introduce baby food. (Yes, I went back to only breastfeeding him twice due to his pain.) The third time I mixed anything I served him with prune puree. That worked.
Since your son is getting constipated and might have a reflux problem (or something related), be very careful and go slowly with the baby food. Don’t give him anything that may cause constipation, such as unripe banana, carrots, dairy products, blueberry and potatoes, rice cereal, and white bread.
Instead let him try prune puree, apricots, sweet potatoes, peas, avocado and, possible oatmeal cereal, which doesn’t cause constipation the way rice cereal does. Or at least make sure you always mix the rice cereal with some fruit puree that will mitigate the risk of constipation.
You can find more foods that soften baby stools here.
And again, I want to send you some strength to continue trying to sort out what is wrong with your little son. Since you are not convinced that this is reflux, you won’t find peace of mind until you’ve found the problem. Take him to another pediatrician.
Keep a diary of when he throws up and when he poops and the problems he has. And don’t give up!
Paula
More Babies With Tummy Issues After Introducing Solids
- Baby Stopped Pooping When Introducing Solid Foods
- Breastfed 7 Month Baby Can’t Poop When Feeding Solids
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Maybe they try to hard to go poop and when they try vomit comes out because the pressure. I’m not sure. Or maybe they ate or drank to much and they have to throw up because they ate or drank to much so try feeding them less or give them less fluids but if this doesn’t work I would take the baby to the doctors and have the doctor find out what’s the problem
Hi just wondered if you got anywhere or any answers following the barium? We’re having similar problem with our lo she’s 7 months now and has been on zantac since 8 weeks for silent reflux and we think she’s sensitive to cows milk so I’ve been on dairy free diet as still bf. The throwing up when she poops is a new thing just last couple of weeks but she’s notconstipated. Gp prescribed gaviscon but that did make her constipated so have got paed referral now but not for another 4 weeks Ahh!! Would love to know if you got some answers.