It is common for the babies to spit up once they are fed, especially when the babies are fed breastmilk or a top feed. Every baby, whether healthy or sick, can spit-up. Spitting up in babies most commonly happens due to overfeeding or changing the position immediately after the feed. Parents should buy a lot of bibs, and cloth napkins when shopping for the babies.
Spit up due to reflux is a major cause of concern for the parents. This is because the baby is not getting proper nourishment which keeps him cranky and leads to spitting up. This is the time when the doctor would advise measures or suggest changes in the diet for the mother or even change the top feed. It is important to get the proper diagnosis at the right time for the baby to stay healthy.
In This Article
- Why Do Babies Start Spitting Up?
- Top 5 Causes of Spitting Up in Babies
- What is the Difference Between Spitting Up and Vomiting?
- When Will the Baby Stop Spitting Up?
- Top 5 Tips to Reduce Spit Up in Infants
- When Should You Consider Seeing a Doctor?
- FAQ’s
Why Do Babies Start Spitting Up?
When babies take the feed and they take in excess air with breast milk or the top feed, this can get trapped and come out in the form of a spiting up by mouth or nose. This is usually known as reflux in babies. Babies younger than 3 months of age often experience spitting up which peaks by the time it reaches 4 months and starts reducing as the baby reaches 7 months of age.
Top 5 Causes of Spitting Up in Babies
Spitting up is a common feature in babies who are young. New parents, however, do not understand the reason behind spitting. Spitting up in babies is also common in babies till they attain the age of four months. Some common causes for babies to spit up are:
1. An Underdeveloped Digestive System
When the baby takes the feed, it goes to the stomach but gets thrown at the gastro-intestinal tract leading to spitting up. This is due to the partial development of the muscles that return the food back to the feeding tube which in medical terms is known as gastroesophageal reflux or instant reflux.
2. Burping or Drooling
Babies spit up when they drool or burp.
3. Swallowing of Air
Babies, at times, swallow air with the feed which then leads to the air trapping and comes out with milk from the mouth or nose.
4. Small Stomach Size
Newborn babies do not have a large stomach, it is almost the size of a small stone. It keeps growing gradually though. So, overfeeding the baby can lead to spitting up as taking in more food can try to push the food through the valve. As the baby grows, however, the valve even develops, so spitting becomes less common.
5. Other Causes of Spitting in Babies
Babies even spit up when they try to gulp too much milk at one go. The most common reason is when the breasts have too much milk and the milk flow is faster than usual making the baby feed aggressively.
It is common for some babies to spit while teething or when they start crawling and even when they start taking solid foods around 6 months of age or more.
All the above reasons do not cause any pain to the baby nor are harmful. Yet, if it causes a hindrance in the growth of the baby’s development and keeps the baby super cranky, you should consult a doctor immediately.
[Read : Oversupply Of Breast-milk – Hyperlactation]
What is the Difference Between Spitting Up and Vomiting?
Both words spitting and vomiting are similar but do not have the same meaning though, in reality, both the words are quite different from each other.
Spitting is common in newborn babies or the ones who are less than a year old. Vomiting on the other hand is common in older children and comprises a forceful throw of what is in the stomach. Spitting does not happen by force, but it is a flow back that is natural in nature and happens with a burp. It is important to remember that if the baby shows signs of distress after he spits then it could be a vomit bout as spitting cannot result in making the baby sick.
[Read : Vomiting in Babies]
When Will the Baby Stop Spitting Up?
Spitting causes messiness and it does worry the mother. As the baby grows the spitting bouts increase as well. But once the baby starts to sit and take in solid foods the frequency of spitting will decrease as well. The time when the frequency of spitting drops is when the baby is 6 months or more. The babies also stop the spitting bouts as by this age the muscles of the stomach become strong enough to hold the food.
Top 5 Tips to Reduce Spit Up in Infants
Spitting in young babies is common. Having said that, following certain measures can help in reducing it to a great extent. Some of them are as under.
1. Burping Well
Burping after each feed helps the air to pass out of the body. This avoids the trapping of air and reduces the spitting bout.
2. Keeping the Baby in an Upright Position When Feeding
The baby should always be held in an upright position and not in a curl manner or any other position as it obstructs the milk in reaching the baby’s stomach.
3. Never Overfeed the Baby
One of the major causes of spitting is when the baby gets overfed. In such a situation, the baby should be fed milk in a lesser quantity.
4. Avoid Aggressive Feeding by the Baby
If the baby gets too hungry, they swallow more air with the milk resulting in spitting. It is thus important to not wait and feed the baby before they get too hungry.
5. Avoid Spitting by Elevating the Baby’s Head
If spitting happens while the baby is sleeping, then the head of the baby should be elevated. It is also important to remember to use a block or a small piece of foam for elevation and not a pillow as it might result in SIDS.
[Read : How to Know Your Baby is Hungry]
When Should You Consider Seeing a Doctor?
Spitting in infants is nothing to worry about. But there are few instances that do need a doctor’s intervention. Given below are a few cases that indicate a problem.
- The baby spits green fluid or blood.
- There is not adequate weight gain by the baby and he is taking proper feeds.
- The baby is too sleepy and uncomfortable.
- Your baby cries too much even after the feed and spits, it indicates acid reflux and needs treatment.
- The baby spits up blood or green fluid, this can be a sign of a serious problem.
- You notice that your baby has bad breath, has choking issues or is often hiccupping
- Consult a doctor immediately if there is a decrease in the quantity of wet diapers.
- If the baby spits even after being six months or more.
- In case the baby is sick, a doctor’s intervention is a must.
Spitting up in babies is nothing new. It is however important to be vigilant and understand and consult a doctor in case the spitting is due to acid reflux. Spitting has no relation to weight gain and development. Yet if spitting is a cause of inadequate weight gain and crankiness in the baby, it is important to immediately seek a doctor’s consultation so that proper guidance is given.
FAQ’s
1. Does Spit Up Mean Overfeeding?
Overfeeding does not always result in spitting however it is natural for the baby to spit the breast milk at times.
2. Should I Feed the Baby After Spit Up?
Even if the baby spits, you should offer a feed after that. If the baby is hungry, it will latch and feed or show disinterest if full.
3. How Much Baby Spit Up is Normal?
It is normal for babies to spit up about a tablespoon or two at a time.
Read Also: GERD and Reflux in Babies – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment by Dr. Srikanta J T
