Baby Spitting Up Curdled Milk: Causes and Treatments

Don’t you sometimes wish that your newborn came with an instruction manual? It would take the guesswork out of some of those pressing questions of the first few weeks: Are they eating enough? Crying too much? Too hot? Too cold? Why are they spitting up when I feed them?

Let’s focus on that last one for a minute. It’s important to remember that for the first few months, spitting up is very normal for babies. And even if the consistency of what comes out seems a little different than what went in, it’s still generally nothing to worry about.

Here’s why your baby might be spitting up curdled milk — and what you can do about it.

Babies spit up all the time because of their undeveloped digestive system. It happens when milk or food comes back up the baby’s esophagus from the stomach. (The esophagus is the organ connecting the stomach to the mouth).

Spitting up and vomiting are separate actions. Vomiting requires force and can be painful in babies. When it comes to spitting up, however, it’s likely your little one won’t even notice when they’re doing it.

Normal spit-up for breastfed and formula-fed babies will usually look quite similar to the milk or formula that the baby just had — more about the curdling in a minute.

Your baby will be relatively comfortable and content during and after spitting up — they may even look pleased with themselves! If they’re not done eating, they’ll have no problem accepting more food after a spitting session.

Spit-up, just like vomit, can contain stomach acid. Babies’ spit-up becomes curdled when milk from breastfeeding or formula mixes with the acidic stomach fluid.

Time also plays a role here. Immediate spit-up after feeding will probably look like regular milk. If your little one spits up after some time as passed, it’s more likely to look curdled milk.

There are a few possible reasons why your baby may be spitting up curdled milk:

Difficulty with digestion

Your baby may have trouble digesting breast milk for a few reasons. The most common — at least for newborns — is just that their digestive system needs more time to develop.

Some babies may have an allergic reaction to cow’s milk or formula that contains cow’s milk. Rarely, they may have lactose intolerance or a milk protein allergy. But keep in mind that these come with other symptoms, like diarrhea. Talk to your pediatrician if you suspect an allergy or intolerance.

Your pediatrician may recommend a shift in your baby’s diet to reduce spit-up. Options include:

• soy protein formula
• extensively hydrolyzed formula (EHF), a type of formula that contains broken-down proteins from cow’s milk that are unlikely to cause allergic reactions
• amino acid-based formula (AAF), or an alternative formula for babies that have trouble with EHFs

Keep in mind, though, that babies typically grow out of digestive problems with age.

Acid reflux

Babies may have acid reflux, especially if they’re newborns. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid travels up the throat from the stomach. It can be painful.

Before switching formulas (or switching from breastfeeding to formula), try these home remedies:

• avoid feeding your baby too fast or too much at once
• feed your baby in an upright position.
• if you’re breastfeeding, avoid foods like citrus, tomatoes, spicy foods, carbonated drinks, and foods high in fat (these can affect your breast milk and lead to reflux)

Pyloric stenosis

Pyloric stenosis is rare, affecting about 3 out of 1,000 babies in the United States. The pylorus is the lower part of the stomach that food and other substances pass before entering the small intestine.

The muscles in the pylorus may become enlarged in infants, which causes the pyloric channel to narrow and prevents food from leaving the stomach. Most babies that experience pyloric stenosis are 3–5 weeks old and require treatment and surgery.

Some signs of pyloric stenosis include projectile vomiting of milk, weight loss, and constipation. Pyloric stenosis is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.

There are several reasons that may lead to your baby spitting up stomach acid. Spit-up may appear curdled if your baby hasn’t digested milk from feeding. This isn’t always a health concern, but it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your baby’s spit-up.

Talk to your baby’s doctor if you are concerned about your baby’s spit-up or have questions about healthy feeding alternatives.

Why Is My Baby Spitting Up Curdled Milk?

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

In this Article

• What Is Baby Spit-Up?
• Why Do Babies Spit Up?
• Methods for Reducing Baby Spit-Up
• When to Be Concerned About Baby Spit-Up

If your baby is spitting up after feeding, you might wonder if this is something you should be concerned about. Spitting up can be even more jarring when the milk has a curdled appearance.  

‌As long as your child is showing no other signs of illness, is alert, and is gaining weight, spit-up is not typically a cause for concern and generally slows down by 12 to 18 months of age.  

Spitting up refers to what happens in the first few months of your baby’s life when they regurgitate some of their stomach contents. Because a baby’s diet consists of primarily breast milk or formula, the spit-up is likely to be a white texture but can vary depending on how long after feeding your baby spits up. 

Spit up that looks like curdled milk is no reason to be alarmed, and there is an explanation. If your child spits up during or immediately after feeding, it is likely to have a smooth, milky texture. If your baby spits up after the milk has had time to mix with your baby’s stomach acid, the spit-up is likely to appear curdled.  

Baby spit-up differs from vomit in that the flow of spit-up is usually slower and stays closer to the baby’s body, while vomiting is more forceful and projectile and can indicate illness. If your child is vomiting, call your child’s health care provider. 

There is a muscle ring between the stomach and the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). In babies, this muscle is not as developed as it is in adults and older children, resulting in frequent spitting up of stomach contents. Some babies spit up more than others, and it is important to remember that babies’ stomachs are very small and can become full quickly. 

Parents often think that their babies are spitting up more than they actually are. A puddle of spit-up or a large spit-up stain can look like a lot of liquid, but it is important to consider how much liquid spreads. Imagine spilling just a tablespoon of water on a table. It would look like a lot more liquid than it actually is. 

If your baby is spitting up frequently, and you would like to try to reduce how much they are spitting up, there are a few things that you can try to see if they help: 

• You can feed your baby in an upright or semi-upright position. 
• You can try to feed your baby smaller amounts of milk in each feeding. 
• If your baby is formula-fed, you may want to try a different formula to see if that helps 
• If you are breastfeeding, you can try to experiment with your own diet to see if that helps. Some mothers find that eliminating dairy from their diet can reduce spit-up.

Though burping after feeding is frequently recommended to new parents, one study in 2015 found that burping increased the risk of spit-up in infants up to three months old. 

Avoid following advice that directs you to place your baby on their stomach while they sleep to prevent spitting up. It is important to place your baby to sleep on their back, as this reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, also known as SIDS. 

Most of the time your baby spitting up is nothing to be concerned about as long as they are happy and gaining weight. However, there are instances where you should call your baby’s health care provider. 

Some babies develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD can cause health complications if left untreated. Consult your child’s doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms, as they could indicate GERD or other serious health conditions: 

• There is blood in your baby’s spit-up.
• Your baby’s spit-up is green or yellow in color.
• Your baby’s spit-up resembles coffee grounds.
• Your baby is refusing to eat.
• Your baby suddenly begins spitting up after six months of age.
• There is blood in your baby’s stool.
• Your baby has stopped gaining weight.
• You notice a persistent cough or difficulty breathing.
• Your baby seems lethargic.
• The number of wet diapers has decreased suddenly.

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Why does a child spit up curdled milk? Is it normal?

Regurgitation is a natural mechanism that helps the baby cope with excess food.

By 6-7 months, the problem completely disappears on its own, and until then, parents have to worry about the frequency of this phenomenon, the volume, color and consistency of the liquid.

Caring for and following simple rules will reduce the number of regurgitations, their volume and give mom and dad the desired peace of mind.

Causes of the phenomenon

1. Overeating. If there is a lot of food, the body returns it back. This is especially true for infants – formula-fed children usually have a strict regimen and always the exact amount of the mixture. It happens that the nutritional value of mother’s milk is not enough, the child tries to eat more, and the stomach cannot cope with such volumes.
2. Entrainment of excess air as a result of improper attachment to the breast or due to a too large (or too small) hole in the nipple of the bottle. Air is also swallowed when the baby rolls violently or cries.
3. Immaturity of the sphincter – a muscle located between the esophagus and the stomach that prevents food from entering back into the esophagus. Risk group: premature or low birth weight babies.
4. Dysbacteriosis when the mother does not follow the diet.
5. Poor mixture. The baby may react this way to certain allergen components.

Spitting up or vomiting – what’s the difference?

Vomiting is a sign of an intestinal infection and should not be ignored. It differs from regurgitation in that it can occur at any time, regardless of the time of feeding, the amount of milk or formula eaten, etc.

If regurgitation milk returns in its original form, or slightly curdled, then masses of a yellow tint and with a pungent odor appear during vomiting. Everything happens against the background of deteriorating well-being of the baby.

Milk regurgitation with a sour smell

A sour smell occurs when the milk or formula has already been partially acidified and the milk has curdled. At the same time, the “porridge” resembles a curd mass. In general, regurgitation almost always smells sour – this is a sign that milk reached ‘s stomach before returning back.

Regurgitation one hour after eating

Physiological regurgitation can occur immediately after eating or 20-40 minutes later (up to an hour). “Lateness” of 1-1.5 or even 2 hours is considered normal in a child under 4 months old – he burped when he woke up, or when air came up. It is worth observing general preventive measures, and everything will stabilize.

Why does the child spit up like a fountain?

With irritation of the intestines, immaturity of the stomach and excessive excitement of the nervous system, regurgitation becomes profuse, sharp and comes under pressure. The cause can also be intestinal obstruction or too much excess milk, which the child’s body cannot cope with. In any case, consultation with a pediatrician is obligatory – « fountains” are not considered the norm.

When should I contact a pediatrician or gastroenterologist?

• The mass has a strange smell, brown or dark tint (a sign of intestinal irritation).
• The child spits up after almost every feeding and a lot – from a few spoonfuls to the entire amount of food taken. Fountain vomiting is observed.
• When spitting up, the baby begins to suffer sharply from colic, he cries and arches in an arc.
• Baby abruptly loses weight from , becomes restless or lethargic. It is imperative to call an ambulance if the color of the skin changes during regurgitation – it acquires a bluish tint.
• Regurgitation observed in a child older than 6 months.
• The phenomenon is accompanied by fever, dehydration is observed, or immediately after the rejection of milk, the baby begins to feel hungry.

In case of low or negative weight dynamics after taking preventive measures, the doctor may prescribe “Motilium” to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract , or “Riabal”, which helps with spasms in response to feeding. Another option is to use special mixtures or formulations with dietary fiber and a thicker consistency.

Dr. Komarovsky about newborn feeding schedule

What should parents do?

To avoid obstruction of the airway, immediately lift the baby upright, or put his stomach down so that he can quickly get rid of the rejected mass. It is important not to leave the baby in the prone position without adult supervision.

Then you need to wipe everything, and so that the baby does not suffer from a sour taste, it is better to wash his mouth with a cotton swab dipped in warm boiled water.

Prevention of the phenomenon

Before feeding, let the baby lie on the tummy for a couple of minutes . This is both charging, and help with colic, and the ability to release excess air. It is also worth monitoring the position of the head and the capture of the nipple.

If it is difficult to support the baby during feeding, try using a special pillow – these are sold in all stores, but they are easy to make by yourself. When the baby is full, take it with a “column” and vilify it for 15-20 minutes. The air trapped during feeding will come out in the form of a burp.

It is advisable to avoid excessive activity (gymnastics, swimming, massage) for another 1-1.5 hours after eating.

There is no need to treat the child or rush to the doctor if the weight dynamics is positive, the baby feels good, develops and plays. Do not worry if spitting up occurs 1-2 times a day, it does not look like vomiting, and the volume of the returned “gruel” is about a teaspoon. The fact that everything is in order is also signaled by a soft tummy and a normal stool without constipation and diarrhea.

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Does the baby spit up clear liquid? Possible reasons and when to call a doctor – Drink-Drink

07/12/2022 DrinkDrinkAdmin

Contents

• Why does your child spit up clear liquid?
  • Spitting up
  • Vomiting
  • Teething
  • Disease
  • Reflux
  • Pyloric stenosis
• Should I give the baby water to help?
• When should I see a doctor?
• Conclusion

We bet you never thought you’d be looking for why your baby was spitting up clear liquid when you signed up to be a parent.

Yes, this is another unexpected stop on your parenting journey: Babies can sometimes spit up clear liquid instead of curdled breast milk or formula.

But don’t worry, usually the reasons why are temporary and not cause for concern.

Why is your child spitting up clear liquid?

The clear liquid is therefore part of the service package. But what is it and why is it happening? Several things can be involved here: saliva, regurgitation of breast milk or formula, mucus, or even a combination of the two. Let’s take a closer look.

Spitting up

Babies under one year of age spit up often and a lot. Usually regurgitation is just an integral part of their maturing digestive system.

Your baby can do you a favor by burping before burping. So listen up and be ready with a burp cloth in hand.

After burping, you may see a lot of saliva or just white milky saliva. Sometimes saliva or saliva can be clear. Sometimes it’s just partially digested formula or breast milk combined with saliva.

White or clear, slight regurgitation or drooling after feeding is normal.

vomiting

Your baby has a lot to learn. Including learning not to swallow milk too quickly, not to eat more than their tummy can hold in one sitting, and how to digest food.

Your child may vomit during the early months while he is still in school. Here’s how you can tell vomiting from spitting up:

• Vomiting occurs when the muscles around the stomach contract strongly to expel the contents.
• Vomit is likely to contain some clear gastric juice. It can also look like curdled milk or miniature lumps of cottage cheese.

If vomiting does not occur frequently or is not accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, it may simply be part of the learning process. Yes, you will get used to this part of parenting as well.

Teething

Your baby is likely to start teething between 4 and 7 months of age. While this milestone is cause for celebration, it cannot be painless. Teething can sometimes cause discomfort and even pain.

Releasing large amounts of clear saliva is your child’s way of coping. Sometimes they may even spit up excess saliva.

You can relieve your baby’s discomfort by rubbing your sore gums with your finger or giving him a cool teething ring so he can bite down on him. You can also use bibs to catch excess saliva that drips from your chin.

But there is little you can do to stop excessive salivation, even if it makes them regurgitate – just know that this is a temporary phase.

On the other hand, if regurgitation turns into vomiting, it’s not just teething. You should consider whether your baby has other symptoms and check with your doctor.

Illness

Babies and children get sick more often than adults because their immune systems are developing. From about 6 months old, when the immunity you gave your baby starts to wane, your baby will have to start building his own immune system.

Please note: This developing immune system means your child may start to catch colds. Because your child has not yet learned how to blow his nose or cough up mucus, he will swallow a lot of mucus, which can cause him to vomit. This mucus may appear as a clear or cloudy liquid during vomiting.

If your child has vomiting, fever, and diarrhea, you may notice that the vomit is clear. This happens when there is nothing left in the stomach but clear stomach secretions.

Talk to your pediatrician if your child has these symptoms to make sure your child is receiving the proper care.

A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a child under 2 or 3 months of age also calls for medical attention. You should also call your doctor if your older child, aged 3 to 6 months, has a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher.

Regardless of their age, fever persisting for more than 5 days warrants medical attention and possibly a visit.

reflux

Your doctor will call this gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Reflux occurs when your baby burps food out of his stomach and vomits. More than two-thirds of babies have reflux, which causes them to spit up several times a day.

As long as your child is happy and gaining weight, GER is not a concern. It usually peaks at 4 months of age, and by the time your baby is a year old, it’s likely to be a bad memory.

Rarely, GER can signal something more serious, such as an allergy, a blockage in the digestive system, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Yes, that D makes all the difference.

With GERD, your child may feel sick, refuse to eat, not gain weight, and let you know that he is unhappy by crying. Your doctor may advise you to feed your baby with smaller portions more often and change the formula, or avoid dairy products if you are breastfeeding. Sometimes medication or surgery is needed.

Pyloric stenosis

This rare condition is named after the pyloric sphincter muscle that lies at the exit of the stomach and affects far fewer than 1 percent of babies in the United States (more boys than girls).

In children with this condition, the pyloric sphincter is thickened and narrowed (stenosis). The narrowed pyloric canal prevents food from entering the small intestine from the stomach.

The stomach responds with a vigorous contraction to force the food through it, but because the channel is very narrow, the food is ejected with great force. This projectile vomit can reach several feet!

You will see clear liquid or curdled milk. As the canal narrows more and more, projectile vomiting becomes more frequent. Despite vomiting, your baby still feels hungry and will want to eat again… and again.

If your baby is sick, you will start noticing this type of vomiting when your baby is 2-3 weeks old, but it can start as early as 6 weeks of age. Without nutrition, your child can become dehydrated, weak, and lose weight.

Although pyloric stenosis is a serious condition, it can be easily corrected with surgery. If you suspect this is a problem, you should call your doctor right away to discuss your child’s symptoms.

Do I need to give my child water to help?

When they spit up a lot of clear liquid, you might think that your child needs water to stay hydrated. However, you should not give water to babies under 6 months of age.

Drinking plenty of water every day may be good for you, but certainly not for your baby.