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Spitting up
31/01/2024
Spitting Up in Babies: When Is It Normal and When Is It Not?
How nice that you're reading along again!
With my blogs, I want to support parents in parenting and raising their children. Parenting is beautiful—and yes, sometimes quite challenging. But those challenges are part of the journey. Try not to see them as problems, but as a natural part of parenthood. Enjoy reading!
What is normal spitting up in babies?
Many parents worry when their baby spits up regularly. Fortunately, spitting up is usually completely normal. Healthy babies may bring up a small amount of milk several times a day without being bothered by it. This is often called a "little spit-up"—a small amount of milk that comes out of the mouth, usually because your baby hasn't burped properly or drank a bit too eagerly.
Whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed, spitting up is very common. And although it can sometimes look impressive, it doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong.
When is spitting up more than normal?
Sometimes a baby spits up more than just a small amount. In those cases, we speak of actual vomiting. It can even be so forceful that milk shoots out of the mouth in an arc. This is called projectile vomiting.
Spitting up may also occur together with other signs, such as:
- crying a lot or being restless during or after feeding
- tense or upset behavior
- frequently letting go of the breast or bottle teat
- drinking poorly or, on the contrary, drinking very eagerly
In some cases, spitting up can be a symptom of:
- reflux
- thrush
- a cow's milk protein allergy
If the spitting up continues or your baby clearly seems uncomfortable, it is wise to contact your general practitioner (GP) or the child health clinic.
Why do babies spit up so easily?
There are several reasons why spitting up is so common in babies:
- The muscle between the stomach and esophagus is not yet fully developed
- Babies drink milk, which is more liquid than solid food
- They spend a lot of time lying on their backs, which makes milk flow back more easily
- The pressure in the abdomen is higher than in the chest
- They sometimes drink too quickly or too eagerly
- They swallow air while feeding
- They may be restless or move a lot during feeding
What can you do to reduce spitting up?
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to reduce spitting up:
- Let your baby drink calmly. If bottle-feeding, you can hold the bottle slightly tilted so the milk flows more slowly.
- Use a teat with a smaller hole or one with adjustable flow settings.
- Make sure your baby swallows as little air as possible during feeding.
- Let your baby burp after each feeding.
- Hold your baby upright for at least 20–30 minutes after feeding.
- If bottle-feeding, you can thicken the milk with locust bean gum (only after consulting a doctor or child health clinic), or use AR formula, which already contains a thickening agent.
My experience as a mother
My second son was a very eager drinker. Despite using special bottles and thickened formula, he continued to spit up a lot. I found it frustrating and sometimes even worrying. We visited our general practitioner, who fortunately confirmed that he was otherwise healthy. When he started eating solid foods, the spitting up gradually decreased on its own.
In doubt? Trust your instincts
During my work with parents, I often hear questions like:
"Is this normal? My baby spits up so much—it seems like everything comes out."
Those kinds of concerns are completely understandable. As a parent, you often intuitively sense when something may not be right. Trust that feeling. If you think something might be wrong, don't hesitate to discuss your concerns with a professional
Finally
Spitting up is simply part of life for many babies. In most cases it is harmless and will pass on its own. But if you feel unsure or worried, speak up—that's not overreacting, it's good parenting.
Thank you for reading!
Take good care of yourself, be yourself, and care for your child with love.
Until next time!