3-Month-Old Baby Throwing Up Blood

Mom’s Question:

My 3-month-old baby is throwing up blood, what is that?? How can I know if it is dangerous? Should I take her to the ER?

Christina

Easy Baby Life:

Baby Throwing Up Blood – Dangerous Or Not?

A baby can sometimes throw up and it is tinged with blood from swallowing blood after a nose bleed or from teething. Also, the force of vomiting can create tears in the little blood vessels lining the esophagus. A few drops of fresh blood like this, is normally nothing to worry about.

But if you can’t explain the blood or it is more abundant that a few drops, or the amount of blood is increasing with time, you should call the doctor. Tell your doctor about how much your baby is throwing up and how much of it is blood. To make this easy I would say “My baby is throwing up enough to saturate her whole bib and about a quarter of it is blood”.

If there is a lot of blood in the vomit or if it is dark brown, like coffee grounds, the advice is to take your baby to the emergency room immediately, since it can related to some internal bleeding. Try to collect a sample of the vomit and bring along to the ER or doctor.

Examining the baby’s stool may also be helpful, as blood may be found in there as well. Look for a tarry black stool or bright red streaks of blood.

Also, try to note and report to the doctor if you baby has swollen or tender abdomen or significant behavioural changes like excessive sleepiness or irritability.

Actually, unless you can be sure that the blood derives from the mouth, at least call your baby’s doctor for advice. I hope it is not serious and you get it sorted out quickly.

Warm regards,

Paula
(Answer approved by our Medical Reference Team)

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Paula Dennholt

Paula Dennholt founded Easy Baby Life in 2006 and has been a passionate parenting and pregnancy writer since then. Her parenting approach and writing are based on studies in cognitive-behavioral models and therapy for children and her experience as a mother and stepmother. Life as a parent has convinced her of how crucial it is to put relationships before rules. She strongly believes in positive parenting and a science-based approach.

Paula cooperates with a team of pediatricians who assist in reviewing and writing articles.