Late Night Vomiting Episodes in 8-Month-Old
Our 8-month-old son has been experiencing unexpected vomiting during the night for the past week. Just last Sunday, we entered his room to wake him up, only to discover he had vomited at some point while sleeping peacefully, showing no signs of distress or crying. Later that night, around midnight, he threw up again; while we were changing him, he managed to vomit on me and then again shortly after we had given him a bath. The following day, he exhibited diarrhea, which led us to suspect he might have contracted a stomach virus. Thankfully, there hasn't been any fever present, and neither my wife nor I have fallen ill (my wife had some sickness the last time he vomited on her when he had a bug). The same pattern continued for the next few nights. I made it a point to clear his nasal passages before bedtime, and he appeared to be alright. I would check on him at intervals until around 1 a.m. when I usually fell asleep. To my surprise, each morning revealed that he had thrown up after I went to bed. Though we use an Owlet monitor, which is supposed to alert us if he cries, there was complete silence each night. On Wednesday, we took him to see the doctor, who suggested that it might be a gastrointestinal virus—a condition that would eventually resolve itself. The pediatrician recommended replacing his last bottle with Pedialyte and advised us to prop one side of his mattress at an incline. We followed these instructions, cleared his nose again—though not much mucus came out—and went to bed. The next morning, we were greeted by more vomit (on a side note, avoid fruit punch when your child has been vomiting, as it definitely looked gruesome!). Last night, we adjusted the Pedialyte and went through our usual routine. Around 1 a.m., he vomited once more, necessitating another midnight bath. Afterward, I cleared his nose again, and there was notably more residue than prior attempts. Nonetheless, once we settled him back down, he fell asleep and rested peacefully. I am eager to hear if anyone has experienced something similar or has suggestions for remedies. While I understand that stomach viruses can occur, this seems unusual. He is still experiencing diarrhea but remains fever-free. A few additional details to consider: - He has been on a hypoallergenic formula for the past six months. - Previously, he was on reflux medication, but that was discontinued around two to three months ago as his symptoms resolved. - This vomiting solely happens at night; during his two daytime naps, which last one and two hours in his crib, he does well. Generally, he sleeps soundly through the night for 11-12 hours, except for this week. - He also appears to have a pronounced gag reflex; we are introducing new foods such as mashed mango and avocado, and he tends to gag as soon as they touch his tongue, even with thicker baby purees. - Despite our nighttime nasal clearances, he awakens with a stuffy nose and sometimes eye discharge, a problem that has persisted for about a month. - On a brighter note, he just cut his first tooth! We find it exciting, even if it's unrelated to his current condition.
Answers (1)
3/21/2025, 2:01:06 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're understandably concerned about your son's nighttime vomiting and diarrhea. Since he is only experiencing vomiting at night without any fever and the pediatrician has suggested it might be a gastrointestinal virus, it’s vital to focus on supportive care and monitoring while keeping an eye on his symptoms.
Explanation
Vomiting in infants can be caused by several factors, including gastrointestinal viruses, feeding changes, or even nasal congestion, which can sometimes lead to gagging and vomiting. Given that your son has had episodes of vomiting specifically at night, combined with nasal congestion, it’s possible that post-nasal drip could be contributing to his gag reflex and vomiting.
The fact that he is doing well during the day and is fever-free is a positive indicator, but you should continue to track his symptoms closely.
Next Steps
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Hydration: Continue to offer Pedialyte as recommended by your pediatrician to ensure he stays well-hydrated, especially considering the diarrhea. Small, frequent amounts are best.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed log of his vomiting, diarrhea, and any other symptoms, such as nasal congestion or changes in appetite. Note how often these events occur and any patterns you observe.
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Nasal Care: Continue clearing his nasal passages before bed to reduce the chance of gagging due to mucus. Using a humidifier in his room may also help alleviate congestion.
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Adjust Feeding: Since you’re introducing new foods, consider doing it one at a time and observe any reactions or changes. If he continues to gag, it may be worth consulting your pediatrician about possible food sensitivities or the transition from purees.
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Sleeping Position: Keeping his mattress slightly inclined might help reduce vomiting. Ensure that it’s safe for sleep, allowing him to rest comfortably without risk of rolling.
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Watch for Red Flags: Keep an eye out for these signs which would require immediate consultation:
- Increased vomiting or diarrhea.
- Signs of dehydration (less wet diapers, dry mouth, unusual lethargy).
- Blood in vomit or stools.
- Fever developing.
Given that vomiting episodes during sleep can be concerning and might suggest other issues, if the vomiting persists beyond another week or worsens, consider following up with your pediatrician for further evaluation. You're doing a commendable job looking out for your son's health, so continue with the supportive measures and keep tracking his condition closely. Let me know if you have any other questions or need further clarification!
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