What to Know About Projectile Vomiting in Children

Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on May 23, 2023
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
4 min read

You can't help but worry when your child starts projectile vomiting.  ‌

This is because projectile vomiting is not just throwing up.  It involves more force. Sometimes, a child’s vomit, when "released," can go flying across a room. 

This article will outline reasons why your baby or child could be throwing up so much and help you learn what to do about it. ‌

A child who vomits way too much and with a lot of force may have a problem in their stomach or intestines. One such problem in younger babies is pyloric stenosis.‌

Pyloric stenosis is a rare condition that affects about three in every 1,000 babies in the U.S. You will see a baby with this condition start projectile vomiting at three to five weeks of age. It happens because the opening at the lower end of the stomach, the pylorus, is too narrow for food or milk to pass through to the small intestine.  

Other Symptoms of Pyloric Stenosis. If your baby is projectile vomiting after feeding, you should see your pediatrician immediately. If pyloric stenosis is the cause, the child may also show these symptoms: 

  • Constant hunger
  • Tightness in the stomach and abdomen
  • Constipation
  • Dehydration: an unhealthy loss of body fluid 
  • Weight loss

Gastroenteritis. You may call this infection of your child’s stomach a "stomach flu" or a "bug." It can cause frequent vomiting that lasts a few days. And dehydration may result.  

Food allergy. In some cases, your child may have a food allergy that causes excessive vomiting. It will be accompanied by raised, red, itchy skin, and swelling in the face, eyes, mouth, or tongue.

You should seek immediate medical attention for this reaction. Try to keep an eye on what your child ate before the vomiting began. 

Infection. Besides gastroenteritis, other infections that can cause projectile vomiting are ear infections, pneumonia, or meningitis. Projectile vomiting is a severe symptom of these conditions. Your child will also have a high fever and be fussy. ‌

Appendicitis. If your child has intense stomach pain and is projectile vomiting, their appendix may be swollen and close to bursting. This condition requires immediate attention. Their appendix will most likely need to be removed.  

If your baby or child has projectile vomiting that goes on for days, either due to pyloric stenosis or something else, they're in need of medical attention.

You never want a baby or child — or anyone else in your care — to go through dehydration. The quick loss of fluids is tough on a child’s body. It can also bring about infections and affect the kidneys and the brain. 

When pyloric stenosis is present, risks are: 

  • Failure to grow and develop properly
  • Stomach irritation
  • Jaundice

The best treatment for projectile vomiting is to feed your child small amounts of whatever food they'll tolerate and plenty of clear fluids. If your child is over the age of two, you’ll need to make sure they are getting plenty of water and electrolytes, minerals their bodies need to work right. Have them drink a little something every quarter-hour or so.

You can also give them chicken noodle soup, with a clear broth, because this puts more fluid in their body. You can also offer clear, pulp-free drinks, including sports drinks, but not sodas or thick fruit juices. ‌‌

Over-the-counter medicine is not recommended to stop the vomiting. These medications can cause other side effects that aren’t good. See treatment from your doctor when your child suffers from projectile vomiting that doesn't seem to slow down. Your doctor will prescribe the right medication, if necessary. ‌

A young baby who is projectile vomiting may need slightly different treatment. However, getting enough fluids is still most important. You can keep breastfeeding or giving formula as needed. 

You can also ask your doctor if you should give your baby an oral rehydration solution. This is a powder you can add to your baby’s bottle that has sugar and salts in it. 

Unless your child or baby has an underlying condition that you know causes projectile vomiting, you will likely want to see your doctor when it occurs. These signs may mean your child needs quick medical attention:‌

  • Decreased urination
  • Vomit that's green in color
  • Fever of 102 or higher
  • Lack of tears
  • Dry mouth
  • Sunken eyes
  • Clammy hands and feet
  • Little to no energy

Your child will need to be treated for dehydration if they experience those symptoms. And your child may be in intense pain. 

Remember that projectile vomiting is not "normal" vomiting. And when it happens a lot, it's a cause for concern.‌

Through it all, keep tabs on your child's health and well-being. Comfort and reassure your child to help them calm down once their stomach settles.