Babies spitting up is so common amongst babies and baby
bottles for spit up are always known as a working solution around the problem.
In essence, spitting up is mild vomiting or the release of
just fed baby milk, formula or food contents from the stomach move back into
the esophagus. This condition is usually referred to as infant acid reflux, infant
reflux or gastroesophageal reflux so don’t get perplexed if you’ve heard a
different term, they all describe the same problem.
It is common amongst healthy babies within their first three
months of life so it isn’t always a major issue to skeptical moms. It’s very
normal if the baby is comfortable and not losing weight.
To Reduce Spit Up, Consider the Following Tips:
Feed small portions at a time: do not overfeed your baby.
Instead, feed your baby more frequently with small portions of food.
Feed your baby in an upright posture: Position your baby in
an upright posture for about 30 minutes after feeding as this allows the food
contents to settle in the stomach. Your baby should remain still and not engage
in active play like the use of a baby swing for at least 30 minutes.
Burp the baby:
constantly burp your baby after every feed. When you burp, you are
helping your baby to release the swallowed air during feed time. This prevents
air from building up in the stomach since a baby will often spit up as a result
of the swallowed air when feeding.
Do not sleep the baby on their tummy: sleeping your baby on
the back reduces reduce the chances of spit up and SIDS risks.
Invest in the best bottles for spit up: breastfed babies are
less likely to spit up than bottle-fed babies. That’s because a breastfed baby
has few chances of swallowing air unless you overfeed.
If a baby is bottle-fed, chances are he/she will swallow air
that lead to spit up. Good news? There are baby bottles that are exclusively
designed for spit up. They are made with internal vent system that prevents air
from combining with milk during feeding hence reducing the possibility of spit
ups.
You may also read on toddler playpens on this comprehensive guide.
You may also read on toddler playpens on this comprehensive guide.
When to Visit A Medical Expert
Although spitting up is normal in newborns, it’s always
practical to visit a medical expert for further diagnosis if you’re curious. In
most cases, a doctor will recommend you eliminate certain foods or dairy
products from your diet.
Spitting Up is Usually a Problem When:
- Your baby continues to spit up after one-year or begins to spit up at six-months
- The baby is losing weight
- There is blood stain in stool
- Your baby spits up a colored fluid
- Your baby constantly refuses to feed
- The baby spits up blood or contents that appear like coffee grounds
- Your baby is spitting too much and every often
Vomiting is not the same as spit up. Vomiting is usually
forceful and is normal if it isn’t occasional. It is only a concern if it is
constant within a few hours or is accompanied by colored components or blood.
In such cases, it may be a symptom of infection, illness or something serious.