Why Babies and Toddlers Sometimes Vomit During Sleep Training: Understanding and Managing the Issue

​Why Babies and Toddlers Sometimes Vomit During Sleep Training: Understanding and Managing the Issue

As a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, I understand that sleep training can be challenging for parents and their little ones. One concern that often arises is why babies or toddlers sometimes vomit during sleep training. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this, why it’s usually not a big deal, and what you can do to manage it.
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Common Reasons for Vomiting During Sleep Training

1. Crying: One of the primary 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 natural response to prolonged crying can be more common in some children.
2. Loose Sphincter Muscles: Some babies have underdeveloped or loose sphincter muscles, making it easier for stomach contents to come back up, especially when upset or crying hard. This physiological factor can contribute to vomiting during sleep training sessions.
3. Learned Behaviour: 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 they want. They may 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 after night one or two of the process. 
• 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 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

1. Stay Calm: Your reaction sets the tone for your baby. Staying calm and composed can help reassure them and prevent further distress.
2. Comfort Briefly: If your baby vomits, clean them up and offer comfort briefly without extending the interaction too long. This helps reassure them while maintaining the sleep training process.
3. Adjust Sleep Training Methods: If vomiting occurs frequently, consider shortening the intervals between check-ins or staying in the room with the child. 
4. Avoid Reinforcing the Behaviour: For toddlers who might be inducing vomiting for attention, it’s important to gently discourage this behaviour without giving it too much focus. Respond calmly and clean up without making it a big event.
5. Hydrate: After vomiting episodes, offer small amounts of water or an oral rehydration solution to ensure your child stays hydrated.
6. Be Patient: Understand that this is a phase. As your baby or toddler gets used to the sleep training routine, these vomiting episodes will decrease and eventually stop.

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Understanding why vomiting might occur during sleep training can help you manage it calmly and effectively. Most of the time, it’s a minor issue that can be handled with simple measures and a bit of patience.


Remember, consistency and reassurance are key. With time, your child will adjust to the new sleep routine, and these episodes will become a thing of the past. Stay positive and confident in your approach; soon enough, you and your little one will enjoy peaceful nights of sleep.

If you are struggling along your sleep training journey with your child and are ready to receive expert guidance and support to get through the difficult process reach out for help. Book your Free 20-minute Sleep Evaluation Call to learn more about how I can help your family transform into one that sleeps well. 

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Author

Erin Neri - Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Owner of To The Moon and Back Sleep Consulting since 2016. 

Proud mother of 2 young school aged boys who did not come into the world  preprogrammed with independent sleep skills. 28+ years of training & experience working with children and families including her BA in Applied Psychology, Infant Mental Health Training, Early Childhood Education & Experience & Integrative Feeding Specialist Certification.