Vomiting is no fun, but it’s not anything to worry about
I understand that sleep training can be a challenging time for both parents and their little ones! One common concern is why babies or toddlers sometimes vomit during sleep training. Let’s look into the reasons why this might happen and what you can do to manage it.
Common Reasons for Vomiting During Sleep Training
Crying: One of the main reasons babies and toddlers vomit during sleep training is due to crying! When a child cries intensely, it can trigger their gag reflex, leading to vomiting. This is definitely tough, but this is a natural response to prolonged crying and can be more common in some children.
Loose Sphincter Muscles: Some babies have underdeveloped or loose sphincter muscles, which makes it easier for stomach contents to come back up, especially when they are upset or crying hard. This physiological factor can contribute to vomiting during sleep training.
Learned Behavior: Some toddlers may learn that vomiting gets a quick response from their parents. If a child discovers that throwing up brings immediate resolution and attention, they might use this as a way to get the things that they want. They may even start to use this strategy in other situations as well.
Why It’s Often Not a Big Deal
While seeing your child vomit can be distressing, it’s often not a serious issue. Here’s why:
Self-Limiting: Vomiting due to crying or stress during sleep training is usually self-limiting. As your baby adjusts to the sleep training process, these episodes typically decrease in frequency. Usually, these episodes decrease after night 1 or night 2 of sleep training.
Natural Reflex: Vomiting is a protective reflex that helps clear the stomach of irritants or excess food. It’s the body’s way of managing any discomfort.
Common Occurrence: Many parents experience this during sleep training, and it’s a normal part of some children's response to change.
What to Do When Your Baby or Toddler Vomits During Sleep Training
Stay Calm: Staying calm and composed can help reassure your child and prevent further distress. Your child picks up on how you respond.
Comfort Briefly: If your baby vomits, clean them up and offer comfort briefly without extending the interaction too long. This helps them to feel cared for while staying on track with the sleep training process.
Adjust Sleep Training Methods: If vomiting occurs frequently, consider shortening the intervals between check-ins, or stay in the room with the child.
Avoid Reinforcing the Behavior: For toddlers who might be inducing vomiting for attention, it’s important to gently discourage this behavior without giving it too much focus. Respond calmly and clean up without making it a big event!
Hydrate: Ensure your child stays hydrated by offering small amounts of water or an oral rehydration solution after vomiting episodes.
Be Patient: As your baby or toddler gets used to the sleep training routine, these vomiting episodes will decrease and eventually stop. I know it feels stressful while it’s happening, but understand that this is just a phase!
Usually this is a minor thing that can be handled with simple measures and with a little patience! Consistency and reassurance will help your child adjust to their new sleep routine over time, and these episodes will become a thing of the past! Stay positive and confident with the course, and soon enough, both you and your little one will enjoy peaceful nights of sleep.