Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: The baby has been exclusively mixed-fed. Previously, he was very hungry and could eat 220ml per meal (with a 4-hour interval), but it always seemed like it wasn't enough. Recently, for the past two weeks, he has been eating very little, only managing to take in over 100ml. Moreover, he vomits after every meal. Since birth, he has been constipated, and his stool has been green. He has been drinking honey and milk supplements daily, and has also tried Mimi Ai and Qing Huo Bao, but there has been no improvement.I have started adding a spoonful of fruit puree (banana, apple, pear water, and watermelon juice) to his diet.
Question: Is it possible that adding the fruit puree too early has damaged his stomach and intestines, causing the vomiting?
Doctor's answer:
Hello:Nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms of the digestive system. Nausea and vomiting include vomiting and spitting up. If a small amount of milk flows back into the mouth, it is considered spitting up, not vomiting, and does not affect development. It usually disappears around 6 months of age as the child grows older.
Newborns have small stomachs that are in a horizontal position, with a relaxed esophagus. The cardiac sphincter, which connects to the esophagus, is underdeveloped, and the nervous regulation function of intestinal motility, as well as the ability to secrete gastric acid and proteases, are also poor. This makes newborns, especially premature infants, prone to vomiting.
The most common cause of vomiting is improper feeding, accounting for about 1/4 of all newborn vomiting cases. This is mainly due to overfeeding, incorrect concentration, unsuitable milk temperature, small nipple holes, lying flat immediately after feeding, excessive or early movement of the child, and severe crying, all of which can cause vomiting.
Mild vomiting and spitting up have little impact on the body. Frequent vomiting can lead to disturbances in water and electrolyte balance and acid-base balance, manifesting as dehydration, convulsions, and coma. Severe vomiting may cause vomit to be inhaled into the trachea, leading to aspiration pneumonia. It can also block the airways of weak or premature infants, causing suffocation and death.
If a child vomits, parents should first check the feeding method and correct any improper practices promptly. When feeding or giving water, the child should be held upright, with their head resting on the parent's shoulder, and their back should be gently patted to burp and expel air from the stomach before putting them down. For at least 30 minutes after feeding, the newborn should be moved as little as possible, and any diaper changes or other procedures should be done gently. Lying on the right side or elevating the head of the bed can help food move from the stomach into the intestines and reduce the risk of vomit being inhaled into the trachea. While adjusting the feeding method, it is also important to observe the child closely...