Thanks for your question. Large quantities of phlegm in the throat, can cause vomiting, simply by irritating the soft palate, causing gagging and triggering the vomiting reflex. Toddlers, unlike adults, do not know that they should spit up the phlegm, so they end up swallowing it. Vomiting is the only way for their bodies to expel the accumulated phlegm. The other way for it to go out of the body is through the child’s stool.
A possible ear infection, or chest/sinus infection may be beginning in your son. You should consider taking him to the pediatrician so they can look in his ears and listen to his chest. Is the phlegm yellow or green in color?
Thanks!
Ingrid Lee
Toddlers-Are-Fun.com
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Phlegm colour by: Fran
Hi the original poster didn't state the colour of phlegm, (which you asked) my son is in a similar position and his phlegm is green, does it matter about the colour?
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Toddler Vomiting by: Ingrid from Toddlers Are Fun
Hi Fran!
When the phlegm is yellow or green that MAY be a sign of infection some where. It is a wise idea to take your child to the pediatrician and rule out any sinus or ear infections. It can be so hard for toddlers to get all of the nasty phlegm out on their own. If it gets built up too much that is when a potential infection can set in.
Thanks!
Ingrid Lee
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3year old with mucus vomitNEW by: Anonymous
Hello. My son who is 3 woke up at 5 and vomited twice a little bit of clear mucus (was a little bit cloudy) and bubbly at top of water..he had a hard time barfing too. Seemed like more should be coming up but nothing. What could be causing this?? He has had this happen before a few months ago