Spitting up

Spitting up, also known as infant reflux, is a common occurrence in infants during their first year of life. It is a process where the infant regurgitates some of the milk or infant formula they have swallowed. This is often due to an immature digestive system and is generally not a cause for concern.

Causes

The primary cause of spitting up in infants is an underdeveloped lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a muscle at the entrance of the stomach that opens to let food in and closes to keep it in. In infants, this muscle may not be fully developed, which can allow food to flow back up the esophagus, resulting in spitting up.

Other causes can include overfeeding, or an intolerance to certain types of formula or breast milk. In rare cases, spitting up may be a symptom of GERD, a more serious form of reflux.

Symptoms

The most obvious symptom of spitting up is the regurgitation of milk or formula. This usually happens shortly after feeding and can range from a small dribble to a larger amount of milk. Other symptoms can include coughing or choking during feeding, irritability during or after feeding, and poor weight gain.

Treatment

In most cases, no treatment is necessary for spitting up. It is a normal part of an infant's development and will usually resolve on its own by the time the child is one year old. However, if the spitting up is frequent and accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, weight loss, or refusal to eat, it may be necessary to consult a pediatrician.

Some strategies to reduce spitting up include feeding the infant smaller amounts more frequently, burping the infant during and after feeding, and keeping the infant upright for at least 30 minutes after feeding.

See also

• Infant colic
• Baby food
• Breastfeeding
• Bottle feeding