Baby Spit Up

OK I want to clear something up here that parents might be confused about. It's about spit up and vomiting.

Spitting up is not vomiting. Babies usually don't notice when they spit up, while vomiting is forceful and painful.

What happens when babies spit up?

Babies will generally spit up because they eat to much or they swallow to much air while they are getting fed. Or even when you burp them. I did not know this one. It can happen when they are drooling. Which we all know what that means, teething time.Spit up is very common for most babies. They usually stop when they start to eat solid foods which is around 6 months to a 1 yrs old. The real medical term for spit up is gastroesophageal reflux or just reflux.

What can be done for reflux?

You can try to feed your baby in an upright position. If bottle feed your baby try burping him or her every 3 to 5 minutes. also check the hole in the nipple to see if it is too large. Avoid laying your baby down after you are done feeding plus try not to move him or her around too much before the food can settle in their stomach. Or you could try this but first check with the baby doctor. Some babies spit up less if there formula or milk is thickened with some baby rice cereal. If you get an ok with the doctor. add 2 to 3 teaspoons of baby rice cereal to each ounce of formula or milk. But remember to enlarge the hole in the nipple. So it will come out easily. Babies will spit up less if you given less in there feedings but are fed more often.

Will reflux cause problems for my baby?

Spitting up as we all know is messy but it's normal during your baby's early months. It should rarely involve chocking, coughing or pain..However you should contact your doctor if you notice any of these signs

• Is not gaining weight

• Spits up a large amount (more than 1 to 2 tablespoons)

• Spits up or vomits forcefully

• Has fewer wet diapers than normal

• Seems very tired or lethargic

• Spit up green or brown liquid

Then your baby doctor will make sure he or she is healthy and growing well. They will also check to see if the baby has any breathing problems. If the doctor thinks your baby is fine nothing else needs to be done. The doctor will probably want to see your baby regularly to monitor this problem. If the reflux is causing excessive problems the doctor may want to prescribe medicine to help treat this. This medicine is the same one used for heartburn in adults, Then if your baby continues to not gain weight or develops other problems, the doctor might do some additional tests.