Why is my child vomitting?

My child had the stomach bug almost a week ago. She recovered quickly and has been acting fine except for one thing. After some meals she says the needs to get sick. She then makes herself throw up. She's only 4. She acts FINE before and after. No fever, wants to play etc. Is she trying to get attention? I plan on calling the pediatrician tomorrow but I wanted to see if anyone else out there has experienced this. Thanks!

Answers:
my nephew used to be the same way when he was 3 they ended up giving him some meds to help digest his food because he wasnt keeping anything down, he took it for a year before he was able to get off of it and now that he is 7 some foods he still cant digest but for the most part he keeps most foods down

Other Answers:
she could have something else i have a child at my center who had that and he ended up getting really sick, id check with the doctor again.

This may sound weird but does she know anyone who is bulimic? It sounds to me that it's possible she is immitating some one she may admire. I say this mostly because you say that she seems fine, but then says that she "needs" to get sick and "makes" herself throw up.

Perhaps she's just eating too much at one time. Her stomach has just been through, well, bad times. Maybe she just needs to get back on the wagon slowly (you know, eat less) and not fill her tummy up so fast or so full.

*I know when I was little I went through a period where I couldn't keep spaghetti down, not matter what. It only lasted for a couple of months and then I was fine.*

She just had some sort of intestinal virus within the week. Such episodes can damage the lining of the intestine so that certain enzymes may not be back to normal levels. There may still be certain foods that are more difficult for her to digest right now (that would be why she only vomits sometimes.) Are there any particular foods with which the vomiting is associated? Milk (I think) can commonly cause this problem. Even so- it most likely will be temporary-the intestine will eventually get back to normal. I wouldn't worry about things like bulimia at this point. If you think she is trying to get attention- just explain this vomiting is a result of her previous illness and reassure her that it will eventually go away, and give her more attention for other things- such as playing games with her or reading to her. Good luck.

My daughter used to do the same thing for attention. While she was sick she got special attention and everyone payed extra attention to her so when she was better it all stopped but I would take her to the doctor just in case every child is different.

My son did that too. He was sick for a week with the flu and would be fine before and after he got sick. I think maybe there is still a touch of the flu bug in your child and food might still aggravate her stomach. My doctor recommended an electrolyte drink like Pedialite or Gadorate. She said to keep him well hydrated and little sips several times a day. Get her to just eat plain foods like rice, bananas and crackers. She said it takes a while for your stomach to accept food even up to a week. She may be using it for attention too which is normal for a 4 year old. Good to check with your doctor.

She may be eating heavy foods or to much food and that's making sick. before you take her to the doc try lighter food less bread, rice and pasta also if shes drinking a lot of milk it will fill her up real quick try cutting down on her meal size and if she making herself sick have her sit for 15 minutes after she eats this will settle her stomach and make it hard for her to throw it up. if she can't help but get sick than you should go to doctor this may early signs of an eating disorder
Source(s):
this is excatly many people do when they are bolimic

Have you had her checked for acid reflux. My son had it from birth till about 10 months until we saw a specialist and he put him on prilosec. It helped out a lot and now he doesn't take it anymore and has grown out of it

My daughter is exactly the same, we found out she has acid reflux which she can be given medicine to help ease.

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Why is my child vomitting?

Pregnancy & Parenting