What is spitting up

Despite this just being one of those things babies do, there are things you can do to help prevent it and keep your baby comfortable. There are also signs to look out for that might indicate that spitting up requires a doctor's evaluation. In newborns, the digestive system is still developing, so there is more spitting up in the first few months than later on.

As babies feed, milk goes down the throat to the esophagus and then the stomach. The esophagus is connected to the stomach by a ring of muscles called the lower esophageal sphincter. This sphincter opens to let the milk go into the stomach and then it immediately closes back up, but this "trap door" isn't as reliable as it should be until about 6 months of age when it is more mature.

This can cause a backflow of milk that results in spit-up. Aside from this, there are three primary reasons that babies spit up:. For the babies that are not "happy spitters," spit-up may actually be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD.

If the lower esophageal sphincter doesn't tighten up immediately after it opens, the term " reflux " is used since the spit-up coming back up may be accompanied by stomach juices and acids. Reflux can cause considerable discomfort in some babies. Symptoms of GERD include:. Discuss your baby's spit-up patterns with your pediatrician to figure out if GERD could be the culprit. If so, medication and other measures may be necessary.

There are several things you can do to decrease the likelihood or frequency of your baby spitting up. Try to burp your baby during and after each feeding to remove air from their belly.

Some breastfed babies do not need to burp after every feeding, as they tend to swallow less air than bottle-fed babies. However, if you have an abundant milk supply or a very fast flow of milk, that may not be the case. Sometimes babies spit up because they are burped.

Still, this is a worthwhile measure to try. Burping your baby helps to release any air swallowed during the feeding. After a burp, your baby will be more comfortable. Try to limit distractions, noise, and bright lights while you are breastfeeding. Calmer feedings may lead to fewer spit-ups. Don't bounce or engage in very active play immediately following a feeding either. Also called reflux.

Spitting up 1 or 2 mouthfuls of milk at a time No effort or crying Normal symptom in half of young babies Symptoms of Normal Spitting Up Smaller amounts often occur with burping "wet burps" Larger amounts can occur after overfeeding Most often seen during or shortly after feedings Occurs mainly in children under 1 year of age Begins in the first weeks of life Caution: normal reflux does not cause any crying Complications of Spitting Up GERD Most infants are "happy spitters.

It does not cause crying or colic. Normal crying occurs in all babies. Crying and colic are not helped by heartburn meds. These meds also have side effects. If they develop complications, it's called GERD gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Infants with this problem cry numerous times per day.

They also act very unhappy when they are not crying. They are in almost constant discomfort. Poor Weight Gain Cause Poor closure of the valve at the upper end of the stomach weak valve Main trigger: overfeeding of formula or breastmilk More than half of all infants have occasional spitting up "happy spitters" Reflux Versus Vomiting: How to Tell During the first month of life, newborns with true vomiting need to be seen quickly.

The causes of vomiting in this age group can be serious. Feed your baby in an upright position. If you breastfeed, burp your baby after each feeding or when you change breasts. If you bottle-feed, burp your baby every 3 to 5 minutes. Continue to hold them in an upright position for 20 to 30 minutes. Avoid laying them down or moving them around too much.

Try not to overfeed your baby. Some babies spit up less if you give them less milk at each feeding but feed them more often. It rarely involves choking, coughing, or pain. See your doctor if your baby has any of the symptoms listed above. First, your doctor will check to see if your baby is healthy and growing well. Next, he or she will check to see if your baby has breathing problems.

If your doctor thinks your baby is fine, nothing else needs to be done. This medicine is the same one used for heartburn in adults. Last Updated: May 14, This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.