Vomiting When Upset

Updated on June 19, 2009
A.C. asks from Mount Bethel, PA
6 answers

I think I am doing all that I can but I am getting SO sick of cleaning up vomit. My first child went thru this phase too (and will still throw up if he gets to upset). However now my 18 month old is going thru it too and being 31 weeks pregnant my patience with it is growing thin. I have tried trying to change his mind when he gets upset. It doesn't work. If he has just eaten and gets crying or thinks he is choking on something, up everything comes. I think I am just going to have to wait it out. Does anyone else have kids that have this what I call over developed gag reflex? Any magic solutions? I am going to call the doctor tomorrow to discuss also but since he/they only throw up when upset I doubt she will have much to offer me. Thanks in advance for any support you can provide.!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone for the support. It is so nice to know that I don't have the only kid with an oversensitive gag reflex. I talked to my doctor today and she said that is what it is and her child even has it! I will just keep on staying as calm as I can and be viligant looking for the signs that he is gagging and try to get him to something other than my entire body to throw up on! thanks again Moms!

More Answers

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C.B.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I can really empathize with your situation. I am pregnant with my 4th child, and I can honestly say that the most stressful period of my life was when my 1st born threw up EVERY night for almost 2 years. We had the medical tests done, but it was more of a matter of anxiety. It is pretty simplistic to tell a parent to teach their child to not have a temper tantrum. I really like the calming technique the one mom mentioned. I can tell you from experience that no amount of negative discipline worked. (I even went to the extreme of making my daughter clean up after herself.) As I got older, I came to realize that it only made the situation worse. It is so easy to become angry, and it is easy to feel like your child is doing it on purpose. In our case, our daughter always did it for bed. It did take her a while to grow out of it, but she eventually did.

As for long term, Julia is now 11, and when she is feeling extremely anxious, she still gets sick to her stomach. She does not throw up like she used to. It took me a long time to accept her personality when it comes to stress and anxiety. I am a very confident person who thrives under stress. Julia is more like her dad, and she internalizes it. Once I was able to accept this, I was able to help her deal with situations that caused her anxiety much better.

Just know, there are other moms out there who have struggled with this. I felt very alone when I went through this, and I blamed Julia until I was able to step back and learn how to better cope with it.

1 mom found this helpful

M.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My son has a sensitive gag reflex - the peed says it usually happens around 12mos. He has hernia & reflux, so I'm used to 5 projectiles a day, but would love for it to end! The peed said he'll probably be the kindergartner (sp?) that pukes whenever he's upset or excited. Great! (insert sarcasm, haha)

1 mom found this helpful
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N.G.

answers from Allentown on

My son does this too when he cries hard or coughs alot. He's almost 4. The dr said because of his allergies sometimes his airways can be constricted causing a reflux type reaction. Some children just have a strong reflux and vomit. The thing that works best for my son is to calm him down; which I realize is difficult when you're both upset. I know this is draining when they're in the middle of a tantrum but making them sit in it all day is disgusting & "curing" them of tantrums by means of a spanking is only instilling fear in a child. I would still mention it to the dr. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.E.

answers from Allentown on

Hello, my 3 year old son also vomits when upset, which is pretty annoying to say the least! I don't think there is much you can do, what I have been trying is when he begins to get upset and starts the dry heave, I get down to his level and softly tell him to calm down, he's fine,... . It seems to work most of the time. I really don't think it is a medical condition, just a really frustrating phase we have to get through. Good luck to you.

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J.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

If it's the food they do have therapy that works with these kids. If it's just a fit I would say if you throw up on purpose you have to wear the clothes all day. I wouldn't allow them on furniture and I wouldn't take them out but if it is for them getting their way they will stop fast, unless they like the smell of vomit. Also I would have them help me clean it up.

I hope you find something that helps soon. Thinking about it makes me nauseous.

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

Upset, eh? Hmmm!!! OK, if you genuinely mean upset, like, he got injured so he's hurt, or something bad happened so he's sad, that's one thing. But if he's throwing tantrums or fits, you need to address that issue and the vomiting will be solved. You can (and should) teach an 18 month not to throw tantrums. Many kids who are allowed to propel themselves into long flip out episodes end up vomiting. I feel your pain!

I'm large and pregnant too with an 18 month old son and a 3 year old, and husband's not home. Luckily they've never been allowed to throw tantrums, they are totally cured of it, and it's saving my life right now. Let me know if you want to know how! It does include spanking in a calm, methodical, preventative way, so if you're against that-just a warning.

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