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Why do babies often spit up? Some babies do spit up more often than others, especially at certain times. Usually, babies spit up after nursing or drinking formula because their small stomachs cannot hold a large amount of milk.
Moms don't need to worry about it because this condition is normal, although in some cases, excessive spitting up can be a sign of a certain medical condition that needs to be watched out for. As long as it is not accompanied by shortness of breath or the baby becoming fussy, Moms don't need to be overly anxious.
Moms just need to recognize the reasons why babies often spit up and the solutions to overcome spitting up so it doesn't happen every time the little one finishes nursing.
Reasons Why Babies Often Spit Up
Finding that a baby often spits up can cause stress for parents due to concerns about the baby's health and growth. Moms need to remember, spitting up is a very common condition in healthy babies, and usually will not have any impact on their growth and development.
The main reason it often happens is because the baby's digestive system is not yet strong enough, making it easier for stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus. Some other reasons why babies often spit up include:
- Babies often spit up when drinking too much milk too quickly. This can happen when the baby nurses very quickly or when the mother's breast is too full, causing the baby to spit up a significant amount.
- Sensitivity to food can cause excessive spitting up in babies. Products containing cow's milk in the mother's or baby's diet can be a cause.
- The baby may be distracted while nursing and often pulls away to look around. This causes the baby to swallow more air and spit up.
- An oversupply of breast milk can also cause reflux symptoms in babies.
- If your baby is fed formula, there is a possibility that the formula content contributes to the spitting up. The little one may be experiencing intolerance to the protein contained in cow's milk products.
Characteristics of Normal vs. Abnormal Baby Spitting Up
What are the characteristics of normal spitting up? Normal spitting up appears as liquid vomit that comes out of the baby's mouth after nursing. As long as your baby remains comfortable after spitting up, continues to eat well, gains weight, and develops normally, there is usually nothing to worry about.
As the baby grows older, the spitting up usually decreases, and on average, they will stop spitting up by the age of 12 months.
Characteristics of abnormal spitting up occur when it changes into projectile vomiting accompanied by muscle contractions after every feeding. Possible causes include pyloric stenosis or other health issues.
Other signs of abnormal spitting up include the presence of blood, which may be caused by inflammation of the esophagus or stomach (esophagitis or gastritis).
If spitting up is accompanied by weight loss, frequent large amounts of vomit, a fussy baby, or other symptoms, immediately see a pediatrician to determine the actual condition.
Effective Tips to Overcome Baby Spitting Up
After knowing some of the reasons why babies often spit up, Moms can consider the following tips to help your little one:
- Breastfeed before the baby gets too hungry. The baby's head position should be higher than their body while nursing.
- Try to have the baby nurse in a calm environment to prevent excessive air intake along with breast milk.
- Keep the baby in an upright position for about 30 minutes after feeding, so the baby can burp more easily.
- Avoid active play for at least 30 minutes after feeding. Active play includes using rockers, vibrating chairs, baby swings, or bouncing the baby while walking or holding them.
- Frequent burping during and after feeding can prevent air buildup in the baby's stomach.
- Avoid overfeeding. It is better to feed the little one smaller, more frequent meals to help reduce spitting up.
- Place the baby on their back with their head slightly elevated. Putting the baby to sleep on their stomach is not recommended to prevent spitting up.
- Monitor your diet carefully. If Moms feel that certain foods might be affecting the baby's stomach, try avoiding them for a while.
Prevent Your Little One from Spitting Up with Anti-Colic Bottle Teats
If your little one continues to spit up in large amounts, you should take them to the doctor. To prevent your little one from swallowing too much air while feeding, which can trigger spitting up, Moms can use the BPA-free Hegen PPSU bottle, which is equipped with a teat with an anti-colic function.
Not all bottle teats have anti-colic features. In fact, anti-colic plays a very important role. The anti-colic feature in Hegen teats works to minimize air trapped in the milk flow so it is not swallowed, preventing the baby from getting bloated, choking, or spitting up.
Unlike others, Teats from Hegen have various milk flow rates that can be adjusted to the baby's age, starting from extra slow flow, slow flow, medium flow, up to fast flow.
Don't hesitate to trust your little one's feeding products only from the official Hegen Indonesia website. Come and check out the collection of baby bottles for your beloved little one only at Hegen!
References
- Directorate General of Health Services. Is it Normal for Children to Vomit After Nursing?. https://yankes.kemkes.go.id/view_artikel/1301/anak-muntah-saat-selesai-menyusu-normalkah
- healthychidren.org. Why Babies Spit Up. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Why-Babies-Spit-Up.aspx
- Texas Children’s Hospital. Why is my baby spitting up so much breast milk?. https://www.texaschildrens.org/blog/why-my-baby-spitting-so-much-breast-milk
