Most babies will spit up after feeding. Some parents are worried about it. They don't know if it is a normal aging process and have some questions. How much spit up is normal? What to do if my baby spit up yellow, or there is blood in baby spit up? And then, let's talk about baby spitting up milk today.
1. Why do babies spit up milk?
The causes can be divided into two aspects: physiological pathological.
1.1 Physiological
Physiological “spitting up” is a normal phenomenon. This usually happens to newborns. The baby's stomach is level and has a small capacity. It is not developed. The cardia is loose, and the pylorus is tight, like an open pocket. When your baby drinks milk too quickly, it will gulp some air along with the milk. After feeding, the milk will reflux. Then the baby spits up.
Feeding at an improper posture, overfeeding, too short intervals between meals, choking on milk, etc, all these improper feedings can lead to the baby spitting up.
1.2 Pathological
Pathological vomiting can occur in all babies at every age. Sometimes babies vomit badly, and the vomitus has a sour smell. It may be indigestion, colds, gastrointestinal infections, etc.
1) Indigestion
Feeding formula that is difficult to digest, adding complementary too early, etc all can give babies indigestion. Because formula needs to take babies longer to digest than breast milk.
2) Colds
Compare to adults, babies have weak natural immunity. With every change of the seasons, they may get sick, and colds easier, especially in winter. Nausea is one of the flu-like symptoms.
3) gastrointestinal infections
Babies are delicate. That's what the babies eat must be clean, safe, healthy. Or babies may be infected by bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms that can cause gastrointestinal infections.
2. How to reduce it?
Once you understand the reason why the baby spits up milk, you'll act appropriately to the situation, and propose the related solution.
2.1 avoid overfeeding
Do not overfeed babies. It's better to eat several small meals throughout the day than to eat a large meal at once. On one hand, it's more digestible. On the other hand, it can reduce vomiting.
2.2 don't let your baby lie down at once after feeding
After feeding, parents should keep babies have a natural upright posture for 20-30 minutes. Then, you can clap your baby on the back from the bottom to the top slowly, gently to help the baby to make a good belch. Finally, you can put down your baby, and keep him/her lie on the side for about 10 minutes.
2.3 feed at the correct position
Make babies suck two-thirds of mothers' nipples while breastfeeding. If you have a formula-fed baby, you should pay attention to keeping the air out.
2.4 avoid secondhand smoke
Parents need to know the dangers of passive smoking, especially for babies. Secondhand smoke has high concentrations of chemicals that are harmful to the human body. Parents should create a smoke-free environment for their babies to live in.
2.5 keep your baby stay focused through the feeding
Babies are easy to be distracted. Suddenly sounds, lights, movements all can take babies' focus off the milk. At feeding, both mothers and babies need to be able to concentrate.
2.6 avoid too tight diapers or elastic waistbands
Too tight diapers or elastic waistbands will put pressure on babies' abdomens.
2.7 avoid strenuous exercise
Do not let your baby do any strenuous exercises after a meal. it is not good for the stomach.
2.8 avoid getting a cold
The temperature often changes every day. You should timely change clothes for your baby to avoid getting a cold. Especially during sleep, it is better to give the baby a sleep sack. Not only for warm-keeping but also can give babies a good sense of security.
2.9 see a doctor
When you find your baby spit up yellow, or there is blood in baby spit up, you must take him/her to see a doctor.