My baby spits up! What helps& when to see a doctor
Whether after bottle feeding or breastfeeding – your baby spits up a lot? No need to worry! "Spitting up children are thriving children" is the popular saying after all. But what is it? Especially in the first months of life, spitting up milk occupies the minds of many parents. Countless wet spit-up cloths and growing mountains of laundry do the rest and cause many a parent concern. Is my baby's spitting up still normal? Why do babies spit up at all? And when should a doctor be consulted?
Spitting up baby: causes why your baby spits up
"My baby is a spitting up baby" – when parents talk, this phrase often comes up. And for good reason: Most babies spit up – some more, some less. In the rarest cases, however, a disease is behind it. Often there are harmless reasons for the spitting up of babies. Especially in the first months many babies spit out some milk after the meal. The digestive system is not fully developed, so the sphincter on the stomach is not strong enough. The consequence: milk leaks back. The stomach also protects itself from overfilling. If your child has drunk more than necessary, he will spit out the excess food. Often the reasons for spitting are much simpler and can be solved quickly. So it happens that many children drink too hastily. A lot of air gets into the belly, which of course wants to get out again. The spitting out of the milk is preprogrammed with it. You should also make sure that not too much food enters your baby's mouth at once. This is the case with breastfeeding children, especially when the milk flow is too strong. In the case of bottle-fed infants, this is the case if the sucking hole is too big. It is not uncommon for rapid and jerky movements (both yours and your child's) to cause spitting up. A flat lying position after a meal also increases the risk of spitting up.
Your baby spits up a lot? From when you should go to the doctor
Your baby has only burped a little, but has spit up a large amount of milk? This is not bad! Basically, the blob of milk that lands on the spit-up cloth or on the floor looks like more than it is. However, you should always consider the spitting up behavior in connection with the general condition as well as the weight gain of your child. Gushing spit-up and regular spitting-up independent of meals can have serious causes. Therefore, also pay attention to the following conspicuous features:
Some of the symptoms mentioned, such as restlessness, crying and refusal to eat, may be indicative of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The form of reflux often occurs in infants. Usually disappears again in the first months of life. Nevertheless, you should consult a doctor if you notice any of the above symptoms.
The baby is spitting up blood – is it serious??
If the baby spits up blood, all parents panic. Nevertheless, the expelled blood does not necessarily indicate a bad disease. In the first few days after birth, many babies spit up blood they ingested during the birthing process, in addition to amniotic fluid and mucus. It can also happen later that your child exudes blood. This is the case, for example, when your nipples become inflamed and bleed. In general, however, if your baby spits up blood, contact your pediatrician.
Spit up or vomit? These are the differences
Is it harmless spitting up or is my child vomiting?? A question you may have asked yourself if your baby spits up a lot and frequently. Normal spitting up is when a small amount of milk runs back after a meal. Vomiting is different: your baby spits out the entire contents of his stomach in gushes. This can also be independent of the meal. In addition, other symptoms may indicate that it is not normal spitting up behavior. In case of fever, diarrhea, increased crying and screaming as well as weight loss, please consult your pediatrician.
So the spu(c)k is over: tips against spitting
Although spitting up is not necessarily serious, it is not pleasant for your baby or for you. But with a few tricks, belching can be curbed. Try the following eight tips!
Feed or. Breastfeed your baby in an upright position. The upper body should be slightly elevated.
Avoid hasty, jerky movements during feeding and afterwards. Do not put your baby on his stomach after eating. Position the baby with the upper body slightly elevated.
For bottle-fed infants: Make sure the teat is the right size. If the sucking hole is too big, your child will swallow quickly and drink too much air with it.
For breastfeeding babies: A breast that is too full can lead to swallowing and spitting up. Therefore, express some milk before breastfeeding.
Take breaks: Whether you are bottle feeding or breastfeeding, don't let your baby drink it all at once. Instead, take a short break.
As annoying and sometimes disturbing as your child's spitting up behavior may be, spitting up subsides in most babies after twelve months at the latest. Until then, follow the tips above and always have enough burp cloths and bibs in the house.