Spit-up in babies is common due to swallowing extra air during breastfeeding or formula feeding. This is also called regurgitation, and nearly 67% of babies have this gastrointestinal issue once a day (1). In some babies, the spit-ups may be more frequent compared with others. Sometimes the spit-up may come out of the nose since it is connected to the back of our throat (2). Following proper feeding techniques and changing feeding positions may help some babies. Holding in an upright position, especially after feeding, may reduce this problem in some infants. You may seek medical care if your baby has more recurrent regurgitation since this may interfere with normal growth and development. Keep reading this post to know the causes and ways to prevent spit-up in newborns.
What Is The Difference Between Spit-up and Vomiting?
The American Academy of Pediatrics describes vomiting as the forceful throwing up of the stomach content through the mouth. And to sharp contrast, spitting up is described as the easy flow of the stomach contents with a burp. It is often referred to as reflux. To be precise, spitting up has the following features (2):
It does not involve forceful muscle contraction. It brings up only small quantities of milk. It does not make your baby uncomfortable.
Why Do Babies Spit Up Through The Nose?
Spit-up in babies could be due to different reasons. Some of these could be harmless, while others might indicate an underlying health condition.
How Does Spitting Up Through Nose Impact A Baby?
When babies spit up, it may irritate their nose, but may not be a cause of concern. However, if they often spit up large amounts, there is a possibility that they might not get enough nutrients for growth. This may impact the baby’s growth, weight gain, and developmental milestones. If this is the case, you need to consult a pediatrician to evaluate the condition and take appropriate measures. Also, frequent spit-up could irritate the nasal and esophageal lining, which could indicate GERD (6). Small amounts of this regurgitated milk might spill over into the trachea (air pipe) and go into the lung. This is a serious complication called aspiration and might lead to pneumonia.
How Can You Reduce Spitting Up?
Here are some ways to help reduce the bouts of spit-ups in a baby.
1. Check the bottle nipple
If you are using a feeding bottle, you should double-check the nipple hole to ensure that it lets out a few drops at a time. Doing this ensures that your baby will not get too much milk at a time. Also, this will ensure that the baby is not gulping too much air while swallowing.
2. Limit the feed
If your baby is being breastfed, try to limit the length of each feed. Short and frequent feedings could reduce the bouts of spitting up.
3. Do not overfeed
Overfeeding may cause increased spitting up as the digestive system and stomach muscles are all developing. You may take advice from your pediatrician about how much and how frequently you should feed your little one to minimize the symptoms. If your baby’s stomach is full, they are bound to spit up, especially when you bounce them or move them too much after feeding (2). So, don’t allow your baby to play immediately after feeding.
4. Feed on time
You should breastfeed, or formula-feed your little one on time so that they don’t get super hungry. This might lead to feeding in a hurry that could then lead to choking and spitting up.
5. Avoid distractions
When you are feeding your baby, make sure that you are in a calm place. Do not feed in a noisy area or that is prone to distractions, as it may cause spit-ups.
6. Upright position
Hold your little one in an upright position during and after feeding. It will allow the feed to pass smoothly through the digestive system and will not cause any disturbances like spitting up.
7. Burp your baby
Take time to burp your little one while and after feeding, as it will restrict air from building up in the tummy. This way, the air comes out and will not cause any irritation for your baby.
8. Keep pressure off the tummy
Do not dress your baby in tight diaper or clothes soon after feeding, as it may stress the tummy and make them uncomfortable.
9. Put baby to sleep on the back
The risk of choking and spitting up is greatly reduced when babies sleep on their backs. Doing this also reduces the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
When To See A Doctor?
Most infants spit up because of improper feeding positions. But sometimes it may also be due to certain medical conditions. You should seek your pediatrician’s help if your baby (7) (8):
Experiences discomfort due to frequent spit up Has difficulty breathing Difficulty sucking or swallowing, which may be a problem of the soft palate Spit up large amounts after each feed, where the doctor should check the baby’s weight gain. Experiences severe spit-ups that turns into vomiting (forceful or projectile), especially if the baby’s age is less than 12 weeks Spits up blood or green color material Is persistently spitting up through the nose, which can also be a defect of the palate in the mouth and is not visible through physical examination. Experiences choking or coughing with spit ups Continues to spit up even after the early childhood stage Looks very sick
If you also notice that the spitting up is interfering with the growth and development of the baby, you should consult the doctor.
When Does A Baby Stop Spitting Up?
Most babies will stop spitting up by six months or after they learn to sit. But, in some cases, they may continue spitting up until one year. Even after your baby stops spitting up, some liquid may still come out of the nose because babies do not have control over the swallowing process. As the digestive system develops and muscles grow stronger, the baby might stop regurgitating the feed and hold it within the tummy.
