Our Vomiting Toddler aka “The generally barfy child”

September 7, 2008

Little did we know when our first little bouncing baby boy was born that we would have a future puker on our hands. Let’s just say if I had a dollar for every time my two year old threw up since he was born, I would be a rich woman and living on a beach somewhere very sunny.

We had a first glimpse at our future when our son was but a few days old. This little baby constantly spit up. Just a few days old, I remember him power puking after gagging while nursing. “Oh, explained the midwife, “he just made a little piggy of himself and overate. Babies do that sometimes. He’ll learn.” Naively - I believed her. I spent most of this child’s first six months cleaning up “spit up”. Then, came solids. This little guy could gag on anything.

Upon expressing my concerns to our family doctor during a wellness appointment, the doctor referred us to a pediatrician. The pediatrician took one look at my son and said, “Ma’am, I’m not sure why you are here but, I can tell you that is one healthy baby you have in your arms.” He said this as my son has always been a big little boy, usually being above the doctor’s growth chart at any appointment. Which I’ll admit has been no small feat on my part.

In addition to being a “puker”, this little guy is also the slowest eater alive. I have spent many an hour feeding him, only to have him gag on some particle of food and have to start the process all over. The pediatrician assured us he was perfectly healthy and said he likely just had a strong gag reflex and he would grow out of it as he got older. Naively - I believed him.

I’ve lost count of the number of reasons and theories we have for him throwing up. Some more recent ones include: stomach flu, ear infection, overeating cheesies at my brother’s while being babysat, strong gag reflex, car sickness during a recent camping trip, trying to get food out of his mouth so he can take a drink, throwing up for attention, being scared by our reflection in a window while dining at my brother’s, running around with food in his mouth and gagging, or forgetting to chew properly and gagging on a chunk of God knows what. So, while other toddlers I know cram whole triangles of sandwiches in their mouth, I spend mealtime carefully monitoring every morsel that goes in this kid’s mouth.

Recently, my husband and I were convinced he was throwing up for attention or to get out of eating his meal, as food is just about the lowest priority on his list of things to do. Just last weekend, I made him a tiny version of a hamburger (ground beef and cheese between two tortillas, cut into a circle). Ever reluctant to try anything new, my husband told him they were “Binou” burgers. Being quite the fan of the cartoon “Toopey and Binou”, he quite enthusiastically sat to the table. He took his first bite and began squirming around and looking under the table for something. Concerned he would bump his head and choke, I told him, “please sit up properly, you’re going to bang your head and end up crying”. Well, don’t you know it, as a result of what I had said, he starts crying hysterically and this causes him to gag on his food and throw up. Pause dinner again. As is the drill frequently at meal time, my husband grabs the Sportzyme and begins the thankless task of clean-up and me, hugs and comfort. Finally, I calm him down, get him a glass of water, and sit him to the table while my husband and I get back to supper. Hey, after two plus years of this, we’ve developed pretty strong stomachs.

And, again the crying starts. Assuming that he is upset because he thinks he still has to eat supper, I tell him, “don’t worry, it’s okay, just drink your water, you don’t have to eat your burgers and Mommy will get you something later when you are feeling better.” The crying continues. I ask him if he is crying because he thinks he has to eat his supper. “No, he says between sobs, “I’m crying because I want to eat my “Binou burgers.” Once reassured he could continue with his supper, he did so and made a pretty good stab at his burgers. Ok, so much for the puking to get out of eating theory.

For the past two years, every time he throws up after theorizing at length as to what caused it this time, I think maybe this will be the last time. Today, the culprit was a poorly chewed Smartie.

My sister-in-law recently sent me this article entitled, I Frew Up”, from Today’s Parent, which discusses potential causes of throwing up in children.

http://www.todaysparent.com/toddler/article.jsp?content=20060706_162254_440&page=1

After reading this, I was convinced that my son falls into the category of “the generally barfy child.” Basically, there is nothing wrong, he is just a child who easily throws up for a variety of reasons.

I try not to get to concerned as I know he is a healthy weight and is obviously growing very well. Sometimes it gets very frustrating worrying there might be something physically wrong with him, cleaning up vomit, and supervising a second meal.

Anyone else with a “generally barfy child” with any theories or advice to share?

Posted by Connie | Filed Under Motherhood | 20 Comments 

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