Why do Babies Spit Up

Why do Babies Spit Up


Contents:

Why Does My Baby Spit Up So Much

Each breastfeeding mother encountered such a phenomenon as her baby spitting up milk after breastfeeding or after taking the infant food, if the baby is formula-fed. Basically, it is a normal physiological process in the evolution of a child, which does not particularly bother him. Developing physiologically, the baby copes with it later. In rare cases, spitting up can be a symptom of a disease, which should be diagnosed only by a specialist.

Of course, young parents are concerned about the reasons why their baby spits up, so we'll try to figure it out. Posseting is the process of milk regurgitation from the stomach through the mouth. Is it normal for a child to regurgitate milk? As it turns out, not always.

Causes of Regurgitation

  • The most common cause of spitting up is overfeeding of the infant. The milk, which turned out to be superfluous, is naturally removed from the baby's stomach;
  • The cause of regurgitation after eating can be a malfunction of the intestinal tract. For example, constipation or abdominal cramps that can create an obstacle to the normal gastric transit;
  • Some mistakes during the process of breastfeeding and, as a result, an incorrect nipple latch, leading to air swallowing together with milk. The air, which happens to be below the milk in the stomach, is literally "fired" back (See how to breastfeed a baby properly);
  • The reason for it can also be an insufficient development of the esophageal sphincter muscles. This sphincter is needed for the food not to flow from the stomach direct into the esophagus. An adult’s sphincter works fine. But in the case with infants, this sphincter is not developed properly; it finally begins to function only with the age of one;
  • Do not forget about the environmental causes of this process. In modern conditions of life, an infant may be allergic to a product that adults consider natural. In fact, fresh fruits and vegetables that we buy are not always environmentally friendly;
  • The incorrect behavior of parents who immediately after feeding begin to turn the baby from side to side, squeeze it, swing it in the stroller, etc;
  • In severe cases some certain diseases of the baby’s digestive system, its central nervous system or other pathological changes in the body can be the causes of regurgitation.

When You Breastfeed the Baby

  • When the baby possets the breast milk, you should inspect the stain. If the child has regurgitated with curdled milk or the mass resembles cottage cheese, you can calm down. It's not vomiting. Pour a teaspoon of water next to the stain. If the spots are of approximately the same size – everything is fine. You should worry and take your baby to a doctor if it regurgitates much.
  • Stop overfeeding the baby if you do it (See an article on the topic: how much milk should drink a newborn). With a well-established process of breastfeeding, the baby will eat as much as it needs. Feed only on demand and do not give the breast to the baby, when it does not ask for it. Always keep a check on the correct nipple latch. If your baby swallows the air, the regurgitation will be inevitable.
  • Always check the condition of the infant’s abdomen. It should not be distended. A soft abdomen and a quiet child are the guarantee that everything is all right.
  • The defecation also matters. Remember when it was last time. These observations can help you exclude the possibility of constipation or colic (See the article on how often babies defecate).

When Your Child is On Artificial Feeding

 why does my baby spit up so much

If your baby spits up after eating, the reasons for it may be the same as for children that are on natural feeding.

  • The primary reason is overeating. When the child is on artificial feeding, it is much easier to regulate the amount of consumed food. The amount of the infant food in the bottle must strictly correspond to the age of the child.
  • Check the hole in the teat as well. It should not be too large. During the process of feeding it is important to exclude air swallowing, that is why, the teat should be constantly filled with a mixture.
  • The baby can regurgitate the mixture, because it does not tolerate it. Try to choose another infant food together with your pediatrician. Now special milk mixtures are produced that can prevent it from flowing out of the stomach (how to choose a mixture).
  • The stomach should be checked on the same principle as with natural feeding.

How to Help Your Child

If your child spits up lying on his back, it is dangerous, because the respiratory channels can be blocked, and, as a result, can develop pneumonia. In this case, you should immediately turn the baby on its tummy or take it in your arms. So that the baby can get rid of the food leftovers.

For the proper functioning of the intestine, babies can be given motilium, and riabal – when they are suffering from spasms. But the drugs should be given only after consulting a specialist. As you don’t know the exact cause of regurgitation.

Preventive Measures

If the baby often spits up, you can take note of several time-tested techniques, which will help you minimize the possibility of regurgitation.

  • Before feeding, allow the baby to lie on his tummy for a while. Only for a few minutes.
  • During feeding the baby's body should be in a semirecumbent state with a raised head. You should also help it to latch the breast properly or control the filling of the teat.
  • If your baby regurgitates after feeding, it should be held in a vertical position for a while. This will let the air out. Immediately after feeding the baby should not be too active. Let the infant play calmly and do not touch it unnecessarily.

When a Doctor is Needed?

Posseting is such a process that almost any mother can cope with. But in some cases the medical treatment is still necessary.

If the baby is constantly regurgitating or the amount, smell or colour of the mass, which you observe after the process, has changed, you need to contact the specialists. First of all, visit the pediatrician. He can then send you to a neurologist, a gastroenterologist and a surgeon.

Do not delay the visit to the doctor if the baby regurgitates strongly, and then cries or wriggles itself. This behavior can mean that the baby’s esophagus walls are irritated.

Careful attention is required, when the regurgitation looks like a fountain after every feeding, the baby’s temperature after every regurgitation rises, or it looks similar to vomit. Don’t risk in vain, show the child to a specialist.

Posseting after the age of one year should also be alarming. By this age this unpleasant process must be over. Otherwise, it means a pathology in the baby’s body, the nature of which can be determined only by doctors.

Spit Up in Infants

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