What makes my toddler randomly puke when he's not sick?

[LiLStar]

He was a  very very spitty infant, but was not dxed with reflux because he was gaining weight very well and didn't act like he was in pain, not fussy or anything. He's 20 months now, and still is a puker at the slightest provocation. He's likely to throw up if he has a minor cold, and I suspect its gagging on mucous causing it. Its usually first thing in the morning, when post nasal drip is the worst. He also throws up if he's particularly upset from stress/anxiety. Like being left with a sitter or the church nursery. (and not necessarily due to screaming until he pukes, he can appear calm and have a stress puke) So I can explain some of his "not sick" puke away. 

But I have zero explanation for the occasions when he's sleeping, wakes up, and pukes. When he is very much *not sick*. No fever, not so much as a sneeze or the slightest hint of a runny nose. No symptoms whatsoever. High energy and appetite the previous day and the next day, 100% normal except for night waking to throw up. This is a relatively frequent occurance.. I'd say every 3-4 weeks or so? Is there any reasonable explanation for this? There's no way he's doing this on purpose. 

[no5no5]

There are actually a lot of different things that could cause nighttime vomiting in an apparently healthy child.  For instance, it could be seizures.  It could be childhood migraines (which sometimes happen without pain).  It could be just that he's got an overactive gag reflex.  Personally, I'd want to rule out the serious stuff; it definitely warrants a trip to a doctor, IMO. 

[chewynotcrunchy]

I do this, and have since I was an infant.  I wake up in the middle of the night, vomit and go back to bed.  It happens about once a month.  I have seen several specialists and they can't find anything causing it.  Since it doesn't really bother me or interrupt my life I just deal with it.  I would be very interested to hear if you do get a dx of something!  Best of wishes!

[LiLStar]

Bizarre! Do you know if you spit up a lot as an infant? Do you generally have a sensitive stomach/gag reflex? I did some googling and there's lots of random forum posts/yahoo answers asking about kids with similar issues and nearly every one of them has someone referencing an episode of Mystery Diagnosis where a child was having a seizure that caused vomiting. River isn't quite as severe as it sounds that child was, she was *every* night. He might occasionally puke 2-3 times in a week.. well, really, there's no pattern but it does seem that rarely does a month go by with his digestive system going exclusively one direction, lol. I think what I need to do is type up a history of all the times he's puked, what he was like as an infant, tummy bugs, the anxiety triggered, the no explanation available ones, and see if I can email it to the ped. (and I need to start journaling them, from here on) I figure I could create a "sick visit" appt to discuss it, but those are short appts and its easy to forget all the things you want to bring up! And since there's less "looking at the baby" and more "talking about the baby", they feel rushed, and I'd be out $30 :P I'll send an email, then we can take it from there. 

[chewynotcrunchy]

I don't know if I was a spit-y infant but I can find out

I do have a *very* strong gag reflex and it is pretty normal for me to vomit while brushing my teeth. I also vomit or have diarrhea (sorry for the over-share) in a response to stress/anxiety.  When I was in school it was pretty much a given that I would get up and vomit the night before a field trip, birthday party or other exciting activity.  I had my gallbladder removed when I was 19, went gluten/dairy/egg free for a number of years, have had barium series, endoscopes, colonoscopies and pretty much any other invasive test possible and nothing is ever wrong.  Truth be told, the vomiting has never really bothered me because I am so used to it.  It *really* bothered and continues to upset my mom.  Diarrhea is much more inconvenient and bothersome for me, but like the vomiting, I have just accepted it as a way of life. 

I do think you should check with a pediatric gastroenterologist or some other doctor to rule out any possibilities, but if they don't find anything, your LO will likely not even realize it isn't normal to vomit so frequently.  I remember a friend in middle school commenting that she hadn't vomited for 3 years I was thought she was such a freak!    Writing up a history and keeping a log of when it happens and maybe note if something stressful (even good stress) happened or what was eaten would be a good idea.  If you are referred on you will already have all the information right there.  I am really sorry you and your DS have to put up with it and wish you the best!!!