Spitting Up

What causes my baby to spit up?

Sometimes babies spit up milk out of their mouths or noses. They may bring up small amounts of milk along with air when they are burped. It is very common in newborns. Spitting up occurs because a muscle, called the sphincter, at the top of the stomach is loose. It can also be caused by big air bubbles in the stomach or eating too much too fast. Spitting up is also called reflux.

Spitting up does not cause the baby discomfort and it may seem your baby is not even aware of it. Spitting up is different from vomiting. Vomiting is forceful and disturbs the baby. It could be a sign of illness. Spitting up often peaks by 4 months of age and is over by 7 months, although it may take longer.

What can I do to stop the spitting up, or slow it down?

Here are some things you can do to decrease spitting up:

Feed your baby smaller amounts at a time.
Make sure diapers are not too tight and do not put pressure on the baby's stomach.
Burp your baby several times during each feeding. It works best to support the infant's head and burp while the infant is sitting on your lap. Burping your baby over-the-shoulder may put too much pressure on the baby's stomach.
Keep baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding, an infant seat or car seat works well.
Add one teaspoon of rice cereal to each ounce of formula. Make sure the holes in the nipple are large enough for the thicker formula to get through.

When should I call my child's health care provider?

If your baby is otherwise healthy and happy and the spit up is milk, nothing needs to be done. Talk with your baby's health care provider if you have any concerns. Also tell your provider if the baby is not gaining weight, or there is a definite change or decrease in bowel movements or urination, as well as any signs of discomfort or pain.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File CHL3770F.HTM Release 9.0/2006