My baby is spitting up clear liquid. Baby Spitting Up Clear Liquid: Causes, Solutions, and When to Worry

28.10.197903.12.2021 by alexxlab

Why is my baby spitting up clear liquid. Is it normal for babies to spit up clear fluid. What causes infants to spit up clear liquid. When should I be concerned about my baby spitting up clear liquid. How can I prevent my baby from spitting up clear fluid.

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Understanding Baby Spit-Up: Clear Liquid Edition

As a parent, witnessing your baby spit up can be concerning, especially when it’s clear liquid instead of the expected milk or formula. Rest assured, this phenomenon is generally normal and not a cause for alarm. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this occurrence and explore when it might warrant medical attention.

What Exactly Is Clear Liquid Spit-Up?

Clear liquid spit-up in babies can consist of various substances:

Saliva
Partially digested breast milk or formula
Mucus
Stomach acid
A combination of the above

While it may look alarming, clear spit-up is often just another aspect of your baby’s developing digestive system.

Common Causes of Clear Liquid Spit-Up in Babies

Understanding the reasons behind your baby’s clear liquid spit-up can help alleviate concerns and guide appropriate responses. Here are some common causes:

1. Overfeeding or Rapid Feeding

Babies who feed too quickly or consume more than their stomachs can handle may vomit the excess. This can appear as clear liquid mixed with partially digested milk.

2. Teething

Teething, which typically occurs between 4-7 months (though it can start later), often leads to increased drooling. This excess saliva can sometimes be spit up as clear liquid.

3. Immature Digestive System

Babies’ digestive systems are still developing in the first year of life. This can lead to various types of spit-up, including clear liquid.

4. Illness

When babies are sick, particularly with colds or other respiratory infections, they may produce more mucus. This can lead to clear liquid spit-up.

Differentiating Between Spit-Up and Vomiting

It’s important to distinguish between normal spit-up and vomiting:

Spit-up: Generally effortless, like a liquid flowing out of the mouth
Vomiting: More forceful, often projectile, and may contain stomach acids

While occasional vomiting is usually not a concern, frequent or forceful vomiting accompanied by other symptoms may require medical attention.

When to Be Concerned About Clear Liquid Spit-Up

While clear liquid spit-up is generally normal, certain situations may warrant medical attention:

Frequent vomiting
Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, fewer wet diapers, sunken fontanelle)
Fever
Lethargy or unusual irritability
Blood in the spit-up
Poor weight gain or weight loss

If you observe any of these symptoms along with clear liquid spit-up, consult your pediatrician promptly.

Preventing and Managing Clear Liquid Spit-Up

While some spit-up is inevitable, there are strategies to minimize its occurrence and manage it effectively:

1. Proper Feeding Techniques

Ensure your baby is feeding at a comfortable pace and in an upright position. For bottle-fed babies, use slow-flow nipples to prevent overfeeding.

2. Burping

Regular burping during and after feeds can help release trapped air and reduce spit-up.

3. Avoid Overfeeding

Pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues and avoid forcing them to finish a bottle or breastfeed longer than necessary.

4. Elevate the Head During Sleep

Slightly elevating your baby’s head during sleep (always on their back) can help reduce reflux-related spit-up.

5. Manage Teething Discomfort

Use appropriate teething remedies to soothe your baby and reduce excess drooling.

The Role of Breast Milk and Formula in Clear Liquid Spit-Up

Both breastfed and formula-fed babies can experience clear liquid spit-up. However, there are some differences to note:

Breastfed Babies

Breast milk is easier to digest, which may result in less spit-up overall. However, if a mother has an oversupply or a forceful letdown, it can lead to overfeeding and subsequent spit-up.

Formula-Fed Babies

Formula can be harder to digest, potentially leading to more frequent spit-up. Experimenting with different formulas under pediatric guidance may help reduce spit-up in some cases.

Regardless of feeding method, clear liquid spit-up can occur and is usually not a cause for concern.

Clear Liquid Spit-Up at Different Ages

The frequency and nature of clear liquid spit-up can vary as your baby grows:

Newborns (0-3 months)

Frequent spit-up is common due to an immature digestive system and the learning curve of feeding.

4-6 months

Spit-up may increase due to teething and increased activity. Introduction of solid foods around 6 months may temporarily increase or decrease spit-up.

7-12 months

Spit-up typically decreases as the digestive system matures and babies become more mobile.

Remember, every baby is unique, and these timelines can vary.

Long-Term Outlook and Development

Clear liquid spit-up is generally a temporary phase in your baby’s development. As their digestive system matures and they become more mobile, spit-up usually decreases significantly. Most babies outgrow frequent spit-up by their first birthday.

Impact on Growth and Nutrition

For most babies, occasional clear liquid spit-up doesn’t significantly impact growth or nutrition. However, if you’re concerned about your baby’s weight gain or overall health, consult your pediatrician.

Emotional and Social Aspects

While spit-up can be messy and sometimes embarrassing in social situations, remember that it’s a normal part of babyhood. It doesn’t reflect on your parenting skills or your baby’s health in most cases.

Myths and Misconceptions About Clear Liquid Spit-Up

Let’s address some common myths about clear liquid spit-up in babies:

Myth 1: Clear Liquid Spit-Up Means the Baby Is Dehydrated

While dehydration can cause clear vomit, occasional clear liquid spit-up alone is not a sign of dehydration. Look for other signs like decreased urine output or dry mouth.

Myth 2: Changing Formula Will Always Stop Spit-Up

While some babies may benefit from a formula change, spit-up is often a normal developmental phase rather than a reaction to a specific formula.

Myth 3: Babies Who Spit Up Clear Liquid Need Water

Babies under 6 months should not be given water unless directed by a pediatrician. Breast milk or formula provides all necessary hydration.

Myth 4: Spit-Up Always Indicates a Food Allergy

While food allergies can cause vomiting, clear liquid spit-up alone is not typically a sign of an allergy. Other symptoms like rash or difficulty breathing would likely be present in case of an allergy.

Understanding these myths can help alleviate unnecessary concerns and guide appropriate responses to your baby’s clear liquid spit-up.

When to Seek Professional Help

While clear liquid spit-up is usually harmless, certain situations warrant medical attention:

Immediate Medical Attention

Projectile vomiting
Green or bloody vomit
Signs of severe dehydration
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Persistent vomiting accompanied by fever

Consult Your Pediatrician If:

Spit-up seems excessively frequent or forceful
Baby seems to be in pain when spitting up
There’s a noticeable decrease in wet diapers
Baby isn’t gaining weight appropriately
You’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious about your baby’s spit-up

Remember, your pediatrician is your best resource for addressing concerns about your baby’s health and development.

Supporting Your Baby Through the Spit-Up Phase

Dealing with frequent spit-up can be challenging, but there are ways to support your baby and make this phase easier for both of you:

1. Stay Calm

Your baby can sense your emotions. Staying calm during spit-up incidents can help keep your baby relaxed.

2. Be Prepared

Keep burp cloths and changes of clothes handy for both you and your baby.

3. Practice Good Hygiene

Regularly clean your baby’s face and neck to prevent skin irritation from spit-up.

4. Adjust Feeding Practices

Experiment with different feeding positions and frequencies to find what works best for your baby.

5. Dress Appropriately

Choose easy-to-clean fabrics for yourself and your baby during this phase.

6. Create a Supportive Environment

Ensure family members and caregivers understand that spit-up is normal and know how to respond appropriately.

Remember, this phase is temporary. With patience and proper care, you and your baby will navigate through it successfully.

The Science Behind Baby Digestion and Spit-Up

Understanding the science behind baby digestion can provide valuable insights into why clear liquid spit-up occurs:

Immature Lower Esophageal Sphincter

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscular valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. In babies, this sphincter is not fully developed, allowing stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus more easily.

Horizontal Stomach Position

A baby’s stomach is positioned more horizontally than an adult’s, making it easier for contents to flow back up the esophagus.

Liquid Diet

Babies’ exclusively liquid diet in the early months is more prone to regurgitation than solid foods.

Rapid Growth and Development

The rapid growth and development of a baby’s digestive system can lead to temporary inefficiencies, resulting in spit-up.

These factors contribute to the frequency of spit-up, including clear liquid, in babies. As your baby grows and their digestive system matures, these issues typically resolve.

Cultural Perspectives on Baby Spit-Up

Attitudes towards baby spit-up, including clear liquid spit-up, can vary across cultures:

Western Cultures

In many Western cultures, frequent spit-up is often seen as a nuisance or a potential health concern, leading to heightened anxiety among parents.

Some Asian Cultures

In certain Asian cultures, baby spit-up is viewed more positively, sometimes seen as a sign of a well-fed baby or even good luck.

Traditional Practices

Various cultures have traditional remedies or practices to manage baby spit-up, such as specific holding positions or herbal teas (though these should always be discussed with a healthcare provider before use).

Understanding these cultural perspectives can help provide context and potentially alleviate concerns about your baby’s spit-up habits.

Future Research and Developments

The field of infant gastroenterology is continuously evolving, with ongoing research into various aspects of baby digestion and spit-up:

Microbiome Studies

Research into the infant gut microbiome may provide insights into digestive issues, including spit-up patterns.

Advanced Diagnostic Tools

Development of non-invasive diagnostic tools could help differentiate between normal spit-up and more serious conditions in the future.

Personalized Nutrition

Advances in understanding individual nutritional needs may lead to more tailored feeding approaches, potentially reducing spit-up in some babies.

Improved Formulas

Ongoing research into infant formula composition may result in products that are even easier for babies to digest, potentially reducing spit-up incidents.

These areas of research hold promise for enhancing our understanding and management of infant digestive issues, including clear liquid spit-up.

As we conclude our comprehensive exploration of clear liquid spit-up in babies, it’s important to remember that this phenomenon, while sometimes alarming, is typically a normal part of infant development. By understanding the causes, recognizing when to seek help, and implementing effective management strategies, parents can navigate this phase with confidence. Remember, every baby is unique, and what’s normal can vary. Trust your instincts, stay informed, and don’t hesitate to consult your pediatrician with any concerns. Your baby’s health and your peace of mind are paramount as you journey through the wonderful, if sometimes messy, world of parenthood.

What It Means When Baby Spits Up Clear Liquid?

Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since both my daughters were babies. But I don’t remember having a newborn that spits up clear liquid. I remember the time my youngest spit up stinky breast milk right on my husband. Probably because it was hilarious. But I don’t remember clear liquid.

Not to worry, though, because I knew this was a possible thing that mamas go through. When a breastfed baby is spitting up clear liquid, that can definitely throw you through a loop. After all, water is clear, and you shouldn’t be giving water to a baby under the age of 6 months.

Even a formula-fed baby spitting up clear liquid can happen, and that’s quite different from regular spit up or even baby vomit.

Babies throwing up clear liquid sounds like some kind of horror movie. An old coworker of mine once told me her baby was spitting up clear liquid with white chunks. A neighbor had her baby spitting up clear liquid hours after eating. Both of these mamas freaked out over their babies throwing up clear liquid.

And guess what? You don’t have to worry. If your 2-month-old is spitting up clear liquid, it is seldom a cause for concern.

When a baby vomits clear fluid, there are some things to know. Sometimes it’s just baby spitting up saliva bubbles. Other times the baby spit up is a clear liquid that smells like vomit.

So, let’s get right down to it and discover why your baby is spitting up clear liquid, plus what you can and should do about it.

Is it normal for my baby to spit up clear liquid?

The short answer is that yes, it is very normal for a baby to spit up clear liquid. It might take you by surprise at the time since you usually expect to see curdled formula or breast milk.

P.C.: Flickr!

Why it happens could be from several different things. Sometimes it’s saliva. Sometimes it’s from breast milk or formula. Sometimes it’s mucus, and sometimes, it’s all of the above blended into a gross cocktail that makes you have to squelch your own urge to purge.

For babies, that whole first year is full of spit-up. Some babies barely spit up. That was my eldest. Others spit up often. That was my youngest.

Basically, what you need to remember is that babies have a developing digestive system. It is still growing and setting up, and with this may come spit up in a variety of forms. So, clear or white or even a little chunky in a curdled way, this spit-up situation is pretty normal.

Why does my baby keep spitting up clear liquid?

Ah, I’m so glad you asked! Now that we know that, for the most part, baby spitting up clear liquid is normal, let’s get to the WHY of the situation, shall we?

Maybe it’s vomiting

Some babies are natural gobblers. But if they gulp milk down too quickly, they may take in more than their tiny, growing tummies can handle at once. So your baby may vomit up the excess.

Vomit is different than spit up in that it shoots out forcefully. It may have some clear stomach juices in it, which is why you may see the clear liquid. Other times it could have little lumps in it that look so much like cottage cheese, it will take you YEARS to ever willingly eat cottage cheese again.

But the good news here is this: vomiting is not usually something to worry about with your baby, even if the vomit is clear.

However, if your baby is vomiting often or has a fever, you should contact your pediatrician.

It’s those darned teeth

Somewhere in the 4th and 7th months, and possibly after (my eldest didn’t get her first tooth until around her first birthday), your baby will start cutting teeth. And this milestone is a painful one for baby and you by the proximity, of course.

Babies tend to drool A LOT during the teething stages. You’ll see this clear goo oozing from their mouth. And yes, they may even spit up that extra drool.

Helping soothe your baby’s teething discomfort can help reduce this mess, though. You can check out my teething tips here for more on that!

Excess drool, though, will happen, and there’s little you can do, even if they spit up this clear liquid. And if you notice it’s more than spit up and is robust vomiting coupled with a fever and lethargy, call the doctor. Other than that, don’t worry!

Baby is sick

The worst thing about babies and small children is that they get sick more often. Their immune systems are developing, which is why you need to take extra care with babies.

When you breastfeed, you’re giving your baby some of your immunity. Vaccines you’ve had can protect your baby through that milk. But for all babies, around the age of 6 months, the immunity you’ve given them through the milk and through carrying them inside you for 9 months lessens. This means the baby will be building her own immune system.

That’s why it will seem like the baby gets cold more often. And while you can blow your nose when you have a cold, babies have not yet mastered this skill. Nor have they learned to cough up mucus to clear it away.

So, they swallow all that gunk, and sometimes, that may come right back up. It will look clear or occasionally cloudy. If this persists and fever and diarrhea come in, it will definitely be clear. And with those other symptoms, call up your pediatrician who can give your baby proper care and get you through this clear spit-up storm!

Just a reminder:

For babies under 2 or 3 months old, fevers of 100.4°F or higher should be called into your doctor immediately. For older babies between 3 and 6 months, the fever should be 101°F or higher when you call the doctor. And any fever that goes on for over 5 days, no matter the age or temperature, needs medical treatment.

The joys of reflux

Reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GER), is what happens when your baby regurgitates the breast milk, formula, or baby food and spits it up. It seldom causes alarm when your baby seems happy and is gaining weight though it is something you should bring up with the pediatrician at a checkup.

If your baby has reflux, it will become its worst at around 4 months, but by the time you’re celebrating their first birthday, it should be gone. Sometimes in the rarest of cases, it can be a sign of something more severe.

Don’t freak out! It’s rare, but it could be affiliated with an allergy. There could be some kind of obstruction in the digestive system, or it could be what they call GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Adding the “D” means that your baby might refuse to eat, vomit, not gain weight, and seem quite unhappy all the time. Your doctor can certainly help with this, so if this fits you, and again, it’s not common, call them up right away!

Another rare condition

It’s not as likely, but pyloric stenosis might be the problem. This is when the muscle on top of the outlet to the stomach is narrowed and restricts food in the stomach, making it hard to get into the small intestine.

This happens for babies 6 months and under and is marked by forceful projectile vomiting. Think The Exorcist.

While it is serious, it’s also rare. But in the event your baby has this condition, it can be corrected with surgery.

What is the difference between spit-up and reflux?

About half of the baby population out there spits up. As I’ve said before, my eldest never really spit up. My youngest did, though. You may observe this with your own children. Spit up, and reflux are basically the same thing.

The difference is that if it is severe, your baby will not be gaining weight well and will seem unhappy. Even if you think you’re paranoid, you can always call your pediatrician to help you get peace of mind or treatment for your child. Most babies will outgrow this messy habit in a few more months.

How to prevent spit up problems

Babies have primitive digestive systems that grow and become more efficient as they get bigger. For the vast majority of you with babies that spit up clear liquid and anything else, this will all be over with as they get bigger.

But do you have to endure lots of spit-up?

Nope! Here are some tips to help you keep that spit up, clear or otherwise, at bay!

When feeding your baby by breast or by the bottle, try to hold her in a more upright position. This should help the fluid flow downward and keep it there. After each feeding, you should also keep your baby upright for a good 30 minutes.

Another pro tip here: don’t engage in tummy time or active play right after a feeding. Give it that 30 minutes first. Oh, and it is a BAD idea to put a spit-up-prone baby in a baby swing. My friend Camille can tell you that from her own experience. She set her daughter Eva into the baby swing after a feeding.

Camille, who had been utterly exhausted, had not showered in days. She thought since Eva was chipper, she’d put her in the swing and hurry into the shower. Eva was still chipper despite spitting up when she came out, but the swing had spread the mess everywhere. Needless to say, she needed another shower after that.

Watch how much you’re feeding

With babies that spit up a lot, try giving her smaller amounts in more frequent servings. This will ensure she gets what she needs to nourish her and help her grow without it overfilling her tiny tummy. Please note that with each passing week, her tummy will grow, and this should all balance out.

As their digestive systems grow, they will outgrow the need for your assistance in burping. But until then, take the time to burp your baby as you feed her and afterward to keep air from burbling up in the belly.

Make sure she sleeps on her back

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping SIDS from happening. Plus, it helps with spit up!

If you’re breastfeeding, keep a log of what you’re eating. Sometimes, babies are sensitive to the foods we eat. It could be dairy or something else but keeping tabs on what you’re having can help the pediatrician get to the bottom of what’s causing your baby to spit up.

After seeing the doctor, your baby may be given medication in the rarest of situations. It depends on the diagnosis, but it will help your baby feel better!

When should I be worried about this?

For most scenarios, spit-up even of the clear variety is little cause for concern. You’ll just be in for more laundry and clean-up. However, if your baby has a fever, is listless, and isn’t putting on weight, that certainly causes concern. With your doctor, you can get your baby back in good health.

But for all those other spit-up situations, chalk it up to the fun parents get to have! Good luck!

Leslie Berry lives with her husband and two young daughters in Los Altos, California where she loves helping other moms get comfortable with motherhood and embracing the insanity with facts peppered with laughs. She loves eating too much sushi, exercise, and jamming out on her Fender.

Why Is My Baby Spitting Up Clear Liquid? Causes for Clear Fluid Throw Up

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Spitting up is quite normal for babies. However, if you’re a parent, it’s essential to know exactly why they do this, how to stop it, and when to be concerned.

If you’re a new mom or dad or someone with a baby on the way, continue reading for more information on what that clear liquid your baby is spitting up is.

What Is This Clear Liquid?

If your baby hasn’t transitioned to solid food, they may still be spitting up a translucent liquid. This can be due to saliva, formula, breastmilk, or a combination of all three. This is often referred to as spit-up, and it will happen to every baby.

In fact, spitting up is so normal in babies under one year old. You should be alarmed if they don’t do it as it’s a part of their digestive system development.

Vomiting can also happen when your baby is drinking their milk too fast. They may still be too young to understand when their tummies are full, so throwing back what their little bodies don’t need is the perfect way for them to learn portion control.

Is There A Difference Between Vomit and Spit-up?

There is a slight difference between these two functions. You can tell just by looking at the liquid. If it’s runny, clear, or milky white, it’s a typical bout of spit-up. If it appears more chunky and clumpy, it’s vomit.

Since a baby is exerting themselves when throwing up — this happens when there’s a forceful expulsion of the content of the baby’s stomach — they will be more irritable as this can be an uncomfortable process.

Regardless, you should have a bump cloth handy after every feeding anyway.

Teething and Spit-up

You may even start to notice your baby spitting up more than usual when they start teething at around five or seven months.

Getting their teeth can be quite unpleasant, so excess drooling or spitting up may be their only way to cope and push through the discomfort.

You can provide chilled teething toys to help them throughout this transition. You can also gently massage your children’s irritated gums with a clean finger wrapped in gauze.

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How to Stop My Baby from Throwing Up

Breastfeed In Shorter Sessions

If you’re breastfeeding your baby, shrink your sessions down to around five to ten minutes each, as not to overwhelm their sensitive stomach.

Will Giving Them Water Help?

As an adult, it’s normal to assume that your baby needs hydration after throwing up their breakfast. However, this can do more harm than good.

Babies under six months of age should not have water. Their stomachs are quite small and get full fast! Breast milk or formula offers them with the proper nutrients they need to grow. On the other hand, water does nothing for them.

It triggers their appetite and makes them feel full, even if they haven’t eaten anything of substance. This risks the child eventually suffering from a nutritional deficiency, so avoid it.

Furthermore, letting an infant drink water can throw off the nutrients in their blood.

Instead, offer small but frequent amounts of an unflavored oral electrolyte solution every 15–20 minutes with a spoon or an oral syringe. Administer two teaspoons per session. Check with your doctor about which type of solution is best.

Sit Them Up When They Eat

Another way you can cut down on how often your baby is spitting up is to prop them upright when feeding them as this can help soothe their digestive system.

Refrain from putting them in a rocker for thirty minutes after their last feeding session to allow their meal to work its way through their system without any complications.

Turn Your Baby On Their Back During Naptime

Another way you can assist their digestive system is by rolling your baby onto their back when they are asleep. Keeping them on their stomach can place too much pressure on their belly and cause them to vomit!

Don’t Allow Your baby To Overheat

Overheating can be another trigger causing your child to vomit. Therefore, make sure you’re not swaddling them too tightly. Keep your eye on the temperature, and make sure you are dressing them appropriately.

Learn About Infant Acid Reflux

Just like many adults, infants can also suffer from acid reflux. This can happen early on — perhaps just a few weeks into your baby’s life.

It occurs when food backs up from the baby’s stomach and works it’s way back up the esophagus in a process called gastroesophageal reflux or GER. An infant’s all liquid diet doesn’t fare well with this condition either, but you can’t control that.

GER can happen multiple times a day, but is not a sign of anything dangerous and will subside after 18 months of life.

If you’re breastfeeding, eliminate foods like dairy, beef, and eggs since your diet can impact your little one as well. Additionally, ensure you’re using the right size nipple for the baby’s bottle.

One that is either too small or large can cause them to swallow an excess amount of air while feeding, which can lead to acid reflux and spitting up.

Be wary of ear infections and the symptoms

Ear infections can also cause your infant or toddler to throw up. But don’t be alarmed. Like spit up, ear infections are also quite common. Five out of six children will experience one ear infection before their third birthday.

You’ll be able to tell your child has an ear infection if they are:

throwing up nonstop
having trouble sleeping
having issues with their balance
are constantly running a fever
having trouble responding to sounds

If you fear your child may have an ear infection, the spread of bacteria should subside after the child is treated with antibiotics. It may take a few days for them to feel like they’re back to normal.

Flu Can Make Your Baby To Throw Up

Having too much clear mucus built up in their noses can also lead to your baby throwing up. This buildup in the throat can also trigger intense coughing, and thus vomiting.

Colds are quite common in a child’s first year of life. In fact, the average child may catch up to seven before turning two!

Be Prepared For The Worst When Burping Your Baby

Babies tend to spit up when they’re being burped. This isn’t a preventative measure, but it will help you out when your baby inevitably spits up that watery liquid on your shoulder. After every feeding, take the proper actions.

Use a rag as a burp cloth on your shoulder to help with the mess.
Keep moist baby wipes nearby for cleanup.
Try not to wear a nice outfit when burping your baby.

How to Stop Baby From Throwing Up At Night?

If your baby is throwing up around bedtime, this can be due to their sleeping position. If their stomach is higher than their esophagus when you lay them down at night, this can trigger the vomit reflex.

Therefore, to counteract this issue, provide your child with some elevation and prop their head up by adjusting their crib. Prop it up with a firm pillow.

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Place it under the mattress and never leave bedding or blankets in the crib itself.

Do You Need To See A Doctor?

If the throwing up is accompanied by other symptoms, like a fever or a cough, then this can be a sign that something severe is going on. If you fear your child may be sick, do not hesitate to contact your doctor.

Signs that something is wrong may include the following.

Your child is having trouble gaining weight.
Their skin is cold and clammy after throwing up.
Your baby is struggling to regulate their temperature.
Your baby also has diarrhea.
They have been throwing up for hours.

What If My Baby’s Spit-up Isn’t Clear?

Perhaps your child isn’t spitting up clear fluid. If this is the case, here’s what you need to know about your baby vomiting.

They could have a food allergy

As your child grows, they will inevitably try new foods. However, not all of these new foods will sit right with their sensitive stomach.

Other symptoms of food allergies can include hives, swelling, itching, and rashes. If your baby is formula-fed, and having an adverse reaction to dairy, this may cause them to vomit.

Talk to your doctor about switching to a different formulation so that your baby gets the nutrients they need. When introducing solids, keep a close eye on your baby when introducing the top allergens like shellfish, gluten, eggs, and dairy.

Conclusion

Becoming a parent means getting spit-up on now and then. It’s just a fact of life when raising your little ones! However, it does not necessarily cause alarm.

Spitting up translucent liquid is normal and to be expected. If you are concerned about your child, make sure to call your pediatrician right away for answers an internet search alone can’t answer!

Lorie Anderson, M.S.Ed.

Hello, my name is Lorie and I’m a mother of three beautiful kids. I have a masters of science in education, learning design, and technology. I like to share my experiences from raising 3 kids and review products I’ve found useful.

Is a Baby Spitting Up Clear Liquid Normal and Why?

It is not unusual to see your little angel spitting up milk or clear liquid. Sometimes, you see it’s becoming difficult for them to keep anything down. This makes mothers to ask a question, “Is baby spitting up clear liquid normal?” Keep reading to find out more about what causes this situation and if you can find something to eradicate the issue.

Is Spitting Up Clear Liquid Normal?

Spiting up, also called gastroesophageal reflux or simply reflux, refers to mild vomiting or regurgitation of milk, food or even saliva. You will have to deal with this when you have an infant at home. This is more common when you feed your baby – it usually happens when your baby burps. If you’re only noticing clear liquid coming out of your baby’s mouth, that’s nothing to worry about because it’s just saliva. You don’t usually need to worry even if your baby’s spitting a milky-white liquid because that’s usually formula or breast milk.

However, you need to understand that there is more than just one type of spit-up. The most common type is when your baby spit up water liquid with a few small chunks of white cheesy-creamy stuff in it. You notice your baby spitting this way quickly after a feeding. This usually happens when your baby burps that brings up excess saliva and partially curdled milk.

Sometimes, you will notice your infant spitting up a large amount of milky white stuff with white chunks in it. This usually results from a strong gag reflex triggered by a burp. Excessive horsing around right after eating may also cause this situation. One rare but possible cause of spitting up milky-white chunky stuff is nausea from a sickness.

All in all, baby spitting up clear liquid is normal in most cases. If you think it’s caused by nausea from a sickness, you may consider getting in touch with your doctor to ensure there’s nothing serious.

What Causes Spitting Up in Your Baby?

Whatever you drink or eat goes into your stomach through the feeding tube,different acids will mix with food in your stomach and pass it into the intestines where further digestion will take place. There’s a valve between the stomach and the esophagus that ensures what you eat or drink doesn’t come back up and out of your stomach. However, the valve is not well developed in infants, so you will more often see milk and saliva coming out of their stomach. Similarly, if you’re feeding too much of food, it will again result in regurgitation because your baby’s stomach is still quite small. The valve will develop as your baby grows, and this will keep anything they eat from coming out of the stomach when fully developed.

Is Your Baby Spitting Up Too Much?

There’s no such thing as spitting up too much, especially if your baby is eating regularly even after a heavy spit-up. Another sign that can show whetherthere’s something wrong with your baby spitting up too much or not is his/her body weight. If they continue to gain weight, it just means they are getting enough to eat. Actually, a baby spits up entire feeding in very rare instances. That’s mainly because the digestion begins as soon as an infant swallow the first mouthful. For a 3-4 months baby, the rate of digestion is around 1ounce every 15 minutes. It means that if you’re feeding your baby about 5-6 ounces and the process lasts around half an hour, your little angel tends to have already digested most of their food.

However, it is a good idea to discuss your concern with your doctor if you think your baby empties everything in his/her stomach. This will help rule out the possibility of having an underlying health condition.

When Should You Worry About Your Baby’s Spitting Up?

As mentioned already, there is usually nothing you need to worry about baby spitting up clear liquid. However, you may notice certain symptoms that indicate an underlying condition. Be sure to contact your baby’s doctor if you notice the following symptoms:

Your baby isn’t gaining weight.
Your baby vomits consistently and forcefully.
Your baby spits up yellow or green fluid or fluid with blood in it.
Your baby doesn’t allow any feedings and has blood in stool as well.

You should also seek immediate medical attention if your baby is spitting up clear liquid and has difficulty breathing at the same time. Your baby’s doctor will consider other symptoms and prescribe medication to treat the condition.

How to Reduce Your Baby’s Spitting Up

Spitting up clear liquid isn’t anything you should worry about, but you can use certain tips to help reduce his/her spitting up.

Make sure to keep your baby in an upright position while feeding and help your baby be in a sitting position for half an hour after each feeding. Don’t play with your baby right after feeding.
Be sure to limit the length of each feeding, especially when you’re breast-feeding your baby. Small, more-frequent feedings will help reduce the frequency of spitting up.
Be sure to help your baby burp because this prevents air from building up in your baby’s stomach.
Make sure to put your baby to sleep on his/her back because this will reduce the risk of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome and also play a role in limiting how often your baby spits up.
Try to change your own diet if you’re breast-feeding to see how it affects your baby spitting up clear liquid.

Baby Throwing Up

There’s nothing less fun than throwing up, except maybe when it’s baby who’s the one suffering. Not only is she miserable, but you’re also probably worried sick, wondering what to do and how to care for her. As unpleasant as it is, witnessing a baby throwing up is something all parents go through—and more than just once. For the most part, baby vomiting isn’t a major cause for concern. Read on to learn the difference between baby spit-up and vomit and what to do for a baby throwing up.

It can be tough to tell the difference between baby vomit vs spit-up at first—especially if baby is on a milk-only diet, since infant vomit and spit-up look pretty much the same at that point. Once baby starts solid foods, the difference will be more clear: Vomit will often contain regurgitated food and therefore have a thicker consistency. Plus, babies tend to spit up way less frequently once they’re eating solids. But until then, the clue to telling apart baby vomit vs spit-up may lie in baby’s mood immediately after.

“Baby vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the stomach’s contents. The baby is usually irritable and upset by it,” says Anthony M. Loizides, director of the Aerodigestive Center, a division of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in New York City. “Spitting up usually looks like the stomach contents are ‘pouring out’ of the mouth, and the baby isn’t bothered by it and instead goes about his business.”

Babies throw up for a number of reasons, and although a stomach bug is often to blame, that’s not always the case. Here are some other things that can lead to baby vomiting:

Baby throwing up at night

Parenting comes with its share of Murphy’s Law moments. Does it seem like the second you hit the sack, baby starts throwing up? There’s actually a physiological reason for baby throwing up at night, especially in younger babies who are still exclusively formula- or breastfed[CP2] .

“When a baby lies down at night on her back (the recommended position by the American Academy of Pediatrics), anatomically the position of the stomach is higher than the esophagus, and therefore it’s more likely that a baby may spit up,” Loizides says. Plus, the valve between the stomach and esophagus relaxes more while baby’s sleeping, leading to a baby throwing up more often at night than during the day.

If baby suffers from reflux and is having more spit up or vomiting episodes at night, you can incline the crib mattress using a crib wedge designed specifically for that purpose, or you can simply roll a beach towel and place it under the mattress.

When to Be Concerned About Baby Throwing Up

Although a sick baby is never easy to deal with, rest assured that most of the time, when baby’s vomiting with no fever, it’s pretty harmless and likely to pass quickly. There are, however, some situations where baby vomiting is a sign of something more serious. Here are some red flag situations that warrant a professional opinion:

• Baby throwing up clear liquid. A possible cause of baby vomiting is a condition called pyloric stenosis, in which the valve between the stomach and small intestines thickens and prevents food from passing through. The onset of this condition is typically between 2 to 3 weeks of age and often begins as a typical episode of baby throwing up clear liquid after a feeding—but it quickly escalates in both force and number of episodes. Pyloric stenosis is also one of the main reasons for projectile vomiting in babies. The good news is that this condition can be resolved with a simple surgical procedure.

• Baby throwing up blood. If you’ve been through this, you know how terrifying it can be. But if you’re seeing traces of blood in baby’s vomit, it could simply be a sign of a small tear in baby’s esophagus as a result of forceful vomiting or coughing. It may sound scary, but small tears like these heal pretty quickly on their own and don’t call for medical attention. If the tear is significant, you’ll see a large volume of fresh red blood in the vomit—and in that case, head to the emergency room. Regardless of how much red you see when baby is throwing up blood, let your pediatrician know. If baby keeps throwing up milk and the vomit contains traces of blood, it could be a sign of a milk allergy, which you’ll want to resolve as soon as possible.

• Baby vomiting yellow or green bile. If baby is vomiting yellow liquid, it could be a sign of an obstruction in the bowel or intestines—or it could simply indicate that there’s nothing else in baby’s stomach to throw up, so a bit of bile comes up. If you notice baby producing a small amount of frothy yellow vomit at the tail end of a nasty stomach bug with repeated vomiting, give the pediatrician a call. However, if you see baby throwing up green vomit, head to the nearest emergency room, since that’s a sign of a surgical emergency and calls for immediate medical care.

• Baby throwing up with high fever and crying. If baby is throwing up, has a high fever and seems unwell, this should warrant a trip to the pediatrician or even the emergency room. These symptoms are typically associated with a bacterial infection, like meningitis, and can sometimes be indicative of appendicitis as well.

What to Give Baby After Vomiting

If baby is experiencing a bout of repeated vomiting, don’t be too quick to give him anything to eat or drink, as you’ll likely see it again very soon. Give baby’s system some forced rest during this period, and watch for signs of dehydration, like reduced amount of tears, sunken eyes and a decrease in wet diapers. Most tummy troubles resolve themselves before baby becomes dehydrated—but if you do spot the telltale signs of dehydration and the vomiting isn’t letting up, call the pediatrician, who may give baby IV fluids.

As soon as the episodes begin to lessen, it’s okay to begin offering liquids in small doses. If it’s a breastfed newborn vomiting, it’s best to offer breast milk, since it’s generally easy to digest and therefore well tolerated at this stage. Offer more frequent feedings than usual, but keep the sessions shorter to prevent baby’s tummy from becoming too full. If baby is formula-fed, it’s okay to offer formula: Start with a tablespoon or two at first and offer more if baby’s able to keep it down. Babies 6 months or older can be given a tablespoon or two of water, but avoid electrolyte solution like Pedialyte[CP4] before baby reaches her first birthday, unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.

How to Stop Baby from Throwing Up

If you’re wondering how to stop baby from throwing up, we totally understand! But as tempting as it is, you shouldn’t attempt to stop baby vomiting. After all, it’s a sign that there’s something in the body that needs to be removed, whether it’s caused by an overly full stomach or a toxin.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

6 Reasons Your Baby Spits Up Mucus And When To Worry

Does your baby spit up mucus or milk occasionally? This is normal and could be a result of their immature digestive system or poor closure of the valve (pyloric sphincter) at the upper end of the stomach. However, if your baby spits up mucus or clear liquid often, it could be a cause for concern. Various reasons could be behind it, and when you know why it happens, you will be able to treat it.

Here is a post that sheds light on why your baby spits up mucus often and the treatment options for it.

How Normal Is It For A Baby To Spit Up Mucus?

While it is normal for babies to spit up mucus or milk occasionally, you should be concerned if it becomes a repeated occurrence (more than a few times a day). If the mucus contains traces of blood, or you spot signs of distress in your baby, seek medical attention.

So, what could be the possible reasons behind babies spitting up mucus? Read the next section to find out.

Why Do Babies Spit Up Mucus?

It could be concerning to see your baby spit up milk or mucus, but this is a common occurrence until they are 12 months old. They could spit up a clear liquid or regurgitate food that is milky white. This could be due to their immature digestive system. However, there could be other reasons as well. Let’s find out.

1. Overfeeding

As your baby’s digestive system is underdeveloped, it may struggle to handle extra food. So, if you overfeed your baby, they might spit up or vomit the excess food.

If your baby vomits, do not force-feed them to compensate for the vomited food, as it would only lead to more vomiting.

2. Spitting up right after feeding

Sometimes, you might find your baby spitting up clear liquid just after feeding. You might also find spit-ups that are white, milky, or clear after they burp. This could be due to their developing digestive system.

3. Teething

Babies usually start teething between six and twelve months. It can cause major discomfort for the baby. One of the common symptoms of teething is drooling. The salivary reflex is stimulated by eruptions of teeth during teething, which results in excess production of saliva (1).

Sometimes, babies can also spit up the excess saliva in the form of a clear liquid. In case your baby spits up more than usual while teething, look out for occasional coughing or gagging and skin rashes around the mouth, cheeks, chin, and neck area (2).

4. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER)

GER is a condition in which the contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus. It generally occurs due to the underdeveloped lower esophageal sphincter in babies. The condition occurs in 40–65% of infants between the ages of one and four months.

In the case of GER, you would notice your baby spitting up mucus and vomiting due to the forceful expulsion of gastric material from the mouth. Besides spitting up and vomiting, if your baby cries excessively (colic), has trouble swallowing, feels irritable after feeding, or gags continuously, it could be GER (3).

5. Pyloric stenosis

This is a condition of the gastrointestinal tract that may cause your baby to spit up and vomit. In pyloric stenosis, the lower part of the stomach that connects the intestines (pylorus) narrows, preventing the food from the stomach from entering the small intestine.

This condition affects three out of 1,000 babies in the U.S., and male babies are four times at a higher risk of developing it than female babies. Babies with pyloric stenosis are not born with it but develop it between three and five weeks of life. Although the exact cause is unknown, it is seen in babies whose mothers took antibiotics during the end of pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Along with spitting, you may also notice projectile vomiting, which is characterized by the forceful ejection of breast milk or formula from the mouth, fewer and smaller stools, failure to gain weight, and lethargy (4).

6. Throat infections

Sometimes, throat infections can also lead to the spitting up of mucus in babies. One such infection is epiglottitis, a severe infection of the flap of tissue above the vocal cords. It generally covers the windpipe during swallowing. Along with drooling and spitting, this condition also causes severe sore throat and fever (5). Note that your baby requires emergency care if they have this condition, as it could shut off the airway.

How To Stop A Baby From Spitting Up Mucus

Spitting up mucus or milk is normal in babies and does not need any special attention. It might subside once your baby’s digestive system matures to handle the food. However, if your baby often spits up and shows additional symptoms, consider following the tips mentioned below.

Keep your baby’s feeding patterns in mind, and do not overfeed them. One way to deal with this is to decrease each feeding quantity while increasing the frequency of feeding. This would help your baby get the necessary nutrients while giving their immature digestive tract enough time to process food.

If the spitting up is due to teething, try to give your baby a frozen teether to chew on, gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger, and continue to breastfeed to help soothe their sore gums.

To keep GER symptoms in check, try to elevate your baby’s head after feeding, ensure you burp your baby after each feeding, and thicken the formula milk after consulting with your pediatrician.

Talk to your pediatrician if your baby is diagnosed with more severe issues such as pyloric stenosis or bacterial infections.

If your baby’s nose is filled with mucus, they may not know how to sneeze and get it out. So, when the mucus enters the throat, they might swallow or spit it up. To prevent this, you can suck mucus out of your baby’s nose using a bulb syringe.

When To Call Your Doctor?

Call your doctor if (6)

You notice faint blood traces in the spit-up. This could be due to the inflammation of the esophageal tissue. Also, if your baby spits up dark brown blood, you may have to seek medical attention.

Your baby spits up milk that turns blue. This could be due to an airway or intestinal obstruction.

Your baby is less than 12 weeks, and the spitting up of mucus has changed to vomiting.

You notice signs of epiglottitis in your baby.

The baby stops gaining weight.

The baby is lethargic and has trouble feeding.

Although spitting up clear liquid or mucus is common in babies, it is important to understand the cause. If the cause isn’t serious, keep breastfeeding your baby, and the spitting up might subside on its own. However, if your baby spits up often and fails to gain weight, it is best to contact your doctor.

References:

MomJunction’s articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

The following two tabs change content below.Dr. Richard Mario Lurshay is a young and talented pediatrician, well known for his work with children. After completing his post-graduation in Pediatrics, he completed his training in Pediatric Nutrition from Boston University School of Medicine (USA). He is an esteemed Life Member of National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), National Neonatology Forum (NNF) and Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP)…. moreDr. Bisny T. Joseph is a Georgian Board-certified physician. She has completed her professional graduate degree as a medical doctor from Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia. She has 3+ years of experience in various sectors of medical affairs as a physician, medical reviewer, medical writer, health coach, and Q&A expert. Her interest in digital medical education and patient education made… more

Vomiting (0-12 Months)

Is this your child’s symptom?

Vomiting (throwing up) stomach contents
Other names for vomiting are puking, barfing and heaving

Causes of Vomiting

Viral Gastritis. Stomach infection from a stomach virus is the most common cause. Also called stomach flu. A common cause is the Rotavirus. The illness starts with vomiting. Watery loose stools may follow within 12-24 hours.
Food Allergy. Vomiting can be the only symptom of a food reaction. The vomiting comes on quickly after eating the food. Uncommon in infants, but main foods are eggs and peanut butter.
Coughing. Hard coughing can also cause your child to throw up. This is more common in children with reflux.
Serious Causes. Vomiting alone should stop within about 24 hours. If it lasts over 24 hours, you must think about more serious causes. An example is a kidney infection. A serious cause in young babies is pyloric stenosis. See below for more on this.

Pyloric Stenosis (Serious Cause)

The most common cause of true vomiting in young babies.
Onset of vomiting is age 2 weeks to 2 months
Vomiting is forceful. It becomes projectile and shoots out.
Right after vomiting, the baby is hungry and wants to feed. (“hungry vomiter”)
Cause: The pylorus is the channel between the stomach and the gut. In these babies, it becomes narrow and tight.
Risk: Weight loss or dehydration
Treatment: Cured by surgery.

Vomiting Scale

Mild: 1 – 2 times/day
Moderate: 3 – 7 times/day
Severe: Vomits everything, nearly everything or 8 or more times/day
Severity relates even more to how long the vomiting goes on for. At the start of the illness, it’s common for a child to vomit everything. This can last for 3 or 4 hours. Children then often become stable and change to mild vomiting.
The main risk of vomiting is dehydration. Dehydration means the body has lost too much fluid.
The younger the child, the greater the risk for dehydration.

Dehydration: How to Tell

The main risk of vomiting is dehydration. Dehydration means the body has lost too much water.
Vomiting with watery diarrhea is the most common cause of dehydration.
Dehydration is a reason to see a doctor right away.
Your child may have dehydration if not drinking much fluid and:
The urine is dark yellow and has not passed any in over 8 hours.
Inside of the mouth and tongue are very dry.
No tears if your child cries.
Slow blood refill test: Longer than 2 seconds. First, press on the thumbnail and make it pale. Then let go. Count the seconds it takes for the nail to turn pink again. Ask your doctor to teach you how to do this test.

When to Call for Vomiting (0-12 Months)

Call 911 Now

Can’t wake up
Not moving
You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Dehydration suspected. No urine in over 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears.
Stomach pain when not vomiting. Exception: stomach pain or crying just before vomiting is quite common.
Age less than 12 weeks old with vomiting 2 or more times. Exception: normal spitting up.
Vomited 3 or more times and also has diarrhea
Severe vomiting (vomits everything) more than 8 hours while getting Pedialyte (or breastmilk)
Head injury within the last 24 hours
Weak immune system. Examples are sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids.
Vomiting a prescription medicine
Fever over 104° F (40° C)
Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: Do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
Your child looks or acts very sick
You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

All other infants (age less than 1 year) with vomiting. See Care Advice while waiting to discuss with doctor.

Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Care Advice for Vomiting

What You Should Know About Vomiting:
- Most vomiting is caused by a viral infection of the stomach.
- Vomiting is the body’s way of protecting the lower gut.
- The good news is that stomach illnesses last only a short time.
- The main risk of vomiting is dehydration. Dehydration means the body has lost too much fluid.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Formula Fed Babies – Give Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) for 8 Hours:
- If vomits once, give half the regular amount every 1 to 2 hours.
- If vomits more than once, offer ORS for 8 hours. If you don’t have ORS, use formula until you can get some.
- ORS is a special fluid that can help your child stay hydrated. You can use Pedialyte or the store brand of ORS. It can be bought in food stores or drug stores.
- Spoon or syringe feed small amounts. Give 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 ml) every 5 minutes.
- After 4 hours without throwing up, double the amount.
- Return to Formula. After 8 hours without throwing up, go back to regular formula.
Breastfed Babies – Reduce the Amount Per Feeding:
- If vomits once, nurse half the regular time every 1 to 2 hours.
- If vomits more than once, nurse for 5 minutes every 30 to 60 minutes. After 4 hours without throwing up, return to regular nursing.
- If continues to vomit, switch to pumped breastmilk. (ORS is rarely needed in breastfed babies. It can be used if vomiting becomes worse).
- Spoon or syringe feed small amounts of pumped milk. Give 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 ml) every 5 minutes.
- After 4 hours without throwing up, return to regular feeding at the breast. Start with small feedings of 5 minutes every 30 minutes. As your baby keeps down the smaller amounts, slowly give more.
Stop All Solid Foods:
- Avoid all solid foods and baby foods in kids who are vomiting.
- After 8 hours without throwing up, gradually add them back.
- If on solid foods, start with starchy foods that are easy to digest. Examples are cereals, crackers and bread.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Stop using any drug that is over-the-counter for 8 hours. Reason: Some of these can make vomiting worse.
- Fever. Mild fevers don’t need to be treated with any drugs. For higher fevers, you can use an acetaminophen suppository (such as FeverAll). This is a form of the drug you put in the rectum (bottom). Ask a pharmacist for help finding this product. Do not use ibuprofen. It can upset the stomach.
- Call your doctor if: Your child vomits a drug ordered by your doctor.
Try to Sleep:
- Help your child go to sleep for a few hours.
- Reason: Sleep often empties the stomach and removes the need to vomit.
- Your child doesn’t have to drink anything if his stomach feels upset and he doesn’t have any diarrhea.
Return to Child Care:
- Your child can return to child care after the vomiting and fever are gone.
What to Expect:
- For the first 3 or 4 hours, your child may vomit everything. Then the stomach settles down.
- Vomiting from a viral illness often stops in 12 to 24 hours.
- Mild vomiting and nausea may last up to 3 days.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Vomits clear fluids for more than 8 hours
- Vomiting lasts more than 24 hours
- Blood or bile (green color) in the vomit
- Stomach ache present when not vomiting
- Dehydration suspected (no urine in over 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth, and no tears)
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 12/01/2021

Last Revised: 10/21/2021

Vomiting in babies: what’s normal and what’s not

Is it normal for my baby to vomit?

Yes, most babies vomit from time to time, and it’s usually nothing to worry about (Di Lorenzo 2018). Everything from indigestion (Tidy 2018a) to a prolonged bout of crying (Brennan 2017) or coughing (Sambrook 2017) can trigger this reflex. So you may see quite a lot of vomiting in your baby’s first few years.

Why is my baby vomiting?

Here are some of the most common reasons that your baby could be being sick:

Reflux

If your baby’s bringing up milk after a breastfeed or bottle, he may have reflux (also known as posseting or spitting up) (Di Lorenzo 2018).

Reflux happens because the tube that carries your baby’s food to his stomach (oesophagus) is still developing, so milk can sometimes leak back up after a feed (Tidy 2018a), and come out of your baby’s mouth or nose (Di Lorenzo 2018). It affects up to half of all babies, and is usually nothing to worry about (Tidy 2018a). It should clear up on its own as your baby’s digestive system matures, and is usually gone by 18 months (Tidy 2018a).

It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between reflux and vomiting (Di Lorenzo 2018). If your baby’s just dribbling a bit of milk after each feed, it’s probably nothing to worry about (Di Lorenzo 2018). But if he’s vomiting more forcefully after feeds, it could be a sign of something other than reflux (Di Lorenzo 2018). Take him to see your GP as soon as possible, just to be on the safe side.

Learn more about how to tell if your baby has reflux, and what to do about it.

Tummy bug

Your little one’s immune system is still developing, so he’s more likely to catch any viruses that are going around. If your baby does have a virus, his vomiting may come on suddenly and get better within a day or two (Di Lorenzo 2018). He may also have other symptoms, such as diarrhoea, fever or tummy pain (Di Lorenzo 2018).

In many cases, a virus just needs to run its course, and you can care for your little one at home (Di Lorenzo 2018). But if he has a fever or any other symptom that concerns you, or he’s not getting better within a few days, see your GP (Di Lorenzo 2018).

Other infections

If your baby gets another type of infection, such as a chest infection or urinary tract infection (UTI), he may be generally under the weather (Di Lorenzo 2018). Some babies experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea as their immune systems fight the infection (Di Lorenzo 2018).

Food allergy or intolerance

Your baby may be sick if he has a reaction to something he’s eaten or drunk (NHS 2018a) – or something you’ve eaten if you’re breastfeeding (LLL 2016). The most common allergens include milk, eggs, wheat, nuts, seeds, fish and shellfish (NHS 2018a).

If your baby has an allergy, he may also have other symptoms, such as diarrhoea, and swelling or itchiness around his mouth, nose or eyes (NHS 2018a). These symptoms usually come on within minutes or hours of eating or drinking a potential allergen (LLL 2016).

If you think your baby could have a food intolerance, don’t remove any foods from his diet (or your diet if you’re breastfeeding), without talking to your GP, midwife or health visitor first (NHS 2018a). They’ll be able to help you make sure that your little one still gets all the nutrients he needs (NHS 2018a).

However, if your baby has an obvious allergic reaction to a new food, it’s sensible not to offer it again until you can talk to your GP or health visitor.

Learn more about food allergies in babies.

Food poisoning

If your baby’s food or drink has bacteria in it, this can cause a stomach upset (Di Lorenzo 2018). If he’s formula-fed, this can happen if his teats and bottles weren’t properly sterilised, or if he drinks formula that wasn’t made up according to the instructions on the pack (NHS 2016a).

If your baby has started solids, it can happen if he eats something that’s contaminated with bacteria, such as salmonella or e.coli (NHS 2016a).

The symptoms of food poisoning are similar to those of a viral infection: your baby may have a fever, diarrhoea and tummy pain as well as being sick (NHS 2016a). Symptoms can start anywhere between a few hours to a few weeks after having contaminated food or drink (NHS 2018c).

See how to make up a formula feed and prepare baby food safely to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

How can I treat my baby’s vomiting?

Usually, vomiting is nothing to worry about, and soon gets better (Di Lorenzo 2018). The most important thing is to keep your baby’s fluids up, to protect him from dehydration.

If you’re breastfeeding, offer your baby extra feeds throughout the day (NHS 2017a). If you’re formula-feeding, you can offer extra cooled, boiled water in a separate bottle or cup (NHS 2017a). Don’t add extra water to your baby’s formula, as this can mean that he doesn’t get all the nutrition he needs (NHS 2016a). Fruit juice and fizzy drinks can make vomiting worse, so don’t offer these to your child (NHS 2017a).

If you’re concerned that your baby could be becoming dehydrated, ask your pharmacist about oral rehydration solution (ORS) (NHS 2017a). This is a special type of drink that helps to replace any sugars, salts or minerals your little one may have lost through vomiting (NHS 2017a). Your pharmacist will be able to recommend a type that’s safe for your baby, and give you tips on how and when to give it to him (NHS 2017a).

If your baby’s on solids, don’t worry if he doesn’t have much of an appetite for food while he’s under the weather (Di Lorenzo 2018). It’s much more important to keep him hydrated (Di Lorenzo 2018).

You may have heard some people recommend the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast) for ill babies. These foods may be easier on your baby’s stomach, but they won’t give him all the nutrients he needs (Di Lorenzo 2018). If your baby’s over six months and does feel like eating, it’s best just to offer his usual foods (Di Lorenzo 2018). If your baby is having ORS, your pharmacist may recommend that you stop offering your baby solids completely, until he’s finished the treatment (Di Lorenzo 2018).

If your baby has other symptoms and seems to be in pain, it’s fine to give him the recommended dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen, provided he’s old enough (NHS 2017b). If you’re in any doubt about how much is safe to give and when, your pharmacist can help.

If your baby vomits within 30 minutes of taking paracetamol or ibuprofen, you can give him the same dose again (MFC 2012,2014). But if he’s sick and it’s been half an hour or more since his last dose, there’s no need to give it again (MFC 2012,2014).

Don’t give your child anti-nausea medicines (prescription or over-the-counter), unless your GP has recommended them (Di Lorenzo 2018).

It’s best to keep your baby home from childcare or nursery until at least 48 hours after his last episode of vomiting (NHS 2018b).

When should I seek medical help for my baby’s vomiting?

Occasional vomiting is usually nothing to worry about, but if your baby’s being sick a lot, it can sometimes be a symptom of something more serious (Di Lorenzo 2018). See your GP straightaway, take your baby to an NHS walk-in centre, or call 111, if you notice any of the following warning signs in your baby:

Frequent, forceful (projectile) vomiting, particularly if your baby’s under two months old. This can be a sign that the passage between his stomach and his bowels has become too narrow (pyloric stenosis) (NICE 2015), which means that he’s not getting the nutrients he needs.
Bringing up green or greenish-yellow vomit. This can be a sign of a blockage in your baby’s intestines (NICE 2015).
Blood in your baby’s vomit. Although this can be very scary to see, it’s not always a sign that your baby is ill. For example, if you’re breastfeeding and have cracked and bleeding nipples, your baby may just have swallowed a little bit of your blood. But it can sometimes be a sign of a serious issue, so you should always get it checked out, to be on the safe side (NICE 2015).
Blood in your baby’s nappy. Blood in your baby’s stools can sometimes be a sign of an infection or allergy (NHS 2018b).
Signs of dehydration. Babies can become dehydrated much more quickly than adults, particularly if they’re throwing up a lot (NHS 2017a). Seek urgent medical advice if your baby has signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies, a dry mouth, crying without tears, unusual drowsiness, fast breathing, or a sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on his head (NHS 2017a).
Refusing to feed. If your baby refuses all food or drink for more than a few hours (Di Lorenzo 2018), or can’t keep any fluids down, he’s at risk of dehydration.
Vomiting that lasts longer than a day or two could be a sign of an infection or other illness that needs treatment (Di Lorenzo 2018).
Any other symptoms that concern you, such as if your baby is generally under the weather with a fever, or seems to be having bad tummy pains (Di Lorenzo 2018, NICE 2015). You know your baby best, so if you have any concerns about his wellbeing, it’s always better to trust your instinct and seek help.

Your doctor will check your baby over and ask about his other symptoms, to try to work out what’s causing the vomiting. In most cases, it will probably be nothing to worry about, and your doctor will just give you advice on how to keep your baby comfortable.

If your baby has a bacterial infection, he may need antibiotics to help him fight it (NHS 2019). Your doctor will prescribe the right antibiotics for your baby and let you know how often you need to give them, and for how long. Not all bacterial infections need antibiotics though, and many clear up on their own without treatment (NHS 2019).

Antibiotics won’t help your baby fight a virus, so your doctor won’t prescribe them if she thinks your baby has a viral infection (NHS 2019). Try not to worry though. In most cases, your baby will feel better once the virus has run its course.

It’s unlikely that your baby’s vomiting is a sign of anything serious. However, if it makes him very dehydrated, your doctor may recommend that he goes into hospital for treatment (Tidy 2018b). Hospital staff will give your baby rehydration fluid through a drip in his arm, or he may need a soft tube inserted via his nose, to get fluid straight into his tummy (Tidy 2018b).

If your baby has pyloric stenosis, your doctor will recommend minor surgery fairly quickly. Rest assured that the surgery is usually successful in stopping the vomiting, and your baby should soon be feeling better (Mayo Clinic 2018).

If you’re in any doubt about whether your child needs medical attention, you can always call NHS 111 for advice (in Wales call 0845 46 47, and in Northern Ireland call your local GP surgery to find your out-of-hours service).

More information:

References

Brennan D. 2017. Why is my child throwing up with no fever? WebMD, Children’s Health. www.webmd.com [Accessed November 2018]

Di Lorenzo C. 2018. Patient education: nausea and vomiting in infants and children. UpToDate, Beyond the Basics. www.uptodate.com [Accessed November 2018]

LLL. 2016. Allergies & food intolerances. La Leche League, Common Concerns. www.laleche.org.uk [Accessed November 2018]

Mayo Clinic. 2018. Pyloric stenosis. www.mayoclinic.org [Accessed November 2018]

MFC. 2012. Ibuprofen for pain and inflammation. Medicines for Children Leaflet. www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk [Accessed November 2018]

MFC. 2014. Paracetamol for mild-to-moderate pain. Medicines for Children Leaflet. www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk [Accessed November 2018]

NHS. 2016. How to make up baby formula. NHS, Health A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed November 2018]

NHS. 2017a. Dehydration. NHS, Health A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed November 2018]

NHS. 2017b. Medicines for babies and children. NHS, Health A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed November 2018]

NHS. 2018a. Food allergies in babies. NHS, Health A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed November 2018]

NHS. 2018b. Diarrhoea and vomiting. NHS, Health A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed November 2018]

NHS. 2018c. Food poisoning. NHS, Health A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed June 2019]

NHS. 2019. Antibiotics. NHS, Health A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed June 2019]

NICE. 2015. GORD in children. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Clinical Knowledge Summaries. cks.nice.org.uk [Accessed November 2018]

Sambrook J. 2017. Coughs and colds in children. Patient, Health Info. patient.info [Accessed November 2018]

Tidy C. 2018a. Childhood gastro-oesophageal reflux. Patient, Health Info. patient.info [Accessed November 2018]

Tidy C. 2018b. Acute diarrhoea in children. Patient, Health Info. patient.info [Accessed June 2019]

90,000 Newborns – what is normal and what is not, questions and answers

Since I myself, after the birth of my son, I often worried and doubted whether it was normal, whether it was normal, I asked experienced friends about everything))) I’m probably not the only one, probably every mother who has her first child does not know much about babies , because you can’t read about everything in advance.

– After meconium, we have liquid yellow diarrhea, is this normal?))
~ Absolutely !! This is the ideal kakuli for babies)) Mustard-colored, liquid, with, as it were, grains.It is bad when the pokaki is green, it is bad, and this suggests that the baby is sick. Although after 6 weeks the composition of milk changes, and accordingly, the cocks can change color and be even more mustard and orange, brown and greenish in color.
By the way, if the baby poops with foam, but at the same time mustard color, then this indicates that he has accumulated air.
This is how normal newborn poses look like:

– I notice that our baby has different breathing … Is this normal?
~ Yes))) I remember myself being scared because of this.And this is generally a normal topic. Kids experience a lot of emotions all the time, that’s why breathing is like this – it reflects this or that emotion at the moment. Well, plus they learn to breathe)))
They can breathe quickly, they can breathe slowly, or they can stop altogether.
All the babies I saw breathe like that))

– For some reason, the baby’s belly pulls in so much and relaxes from breathing .. is it normal ..
~ It’s normal that it is pulled in. He’s just learning to breathe, everything is revealed, developed))

– The first days after childbirth, the baby always sucks colostrum)) what is there to suck, is it not enough ?!
~ So he asks for his breast to order milk for himself, but when he is full, he will have to persuade;) And so he works out the sucking reflex, calms down.

– The kid spits up bright yellow … what is it ???
~ If it is in the first 5-7 days after childbirth, then this is generally normal. It’s colostrum! It is exactly that bright yellow color. When the milk comes, the regurgitation will be white. In our first days, the baby periodically vomited yayarkoooo-yellow, because I didn’t know that you shouldn’t feed when he was lying on his back !! It is necessary to feed on the side. And in general, so that the newborn does not lie on its back! And on the side or in a frog / toad.
Causes of regurgitation – swallowed air.The task of this air is to help belch up, if the baby whimpers and strains, it is more difficult for him to do this, so you can help him relax and choose a position for spitting up so that he regurgitates, preferably pure air without milk. Pose, for example, put the mass on your stomach with a frog, lightly press down the thoracic region with your hand and shake it down. You can take your armpits and gently shake it from side to side, you can put it on your shoulder and shake it a little or shake it by the legs, you can press it with your back to sit in Turkish, you can spring it up … Yes, in general, a lot of everything that can be done))
For armpits just hanging like puppies about…. Hold your head with your index fingers))
In general, if the baby spits up, then the air is swallowed. It is necessary to ensure that the mouth fits snugly so that the air does not swallow. When the milk comes, it will all be more pronounced. Do not put the baby on his back at all (he can choke like that), it is better to sit on the side, and it is convenient to feed. You can also lay it on your tummy, so they burp well so that they don’t crawl away and put their hand on their back until they calm down. Also, to burp, you can lie on your side, put it on your side with your tummy or press it to you in an upright position.

– And the baby also does not pee … despite the fact that he sucks so much tit … where does he go ….
~ Will write actively when milk comes. Until he receives milk (as long as there is colostrum), then write and poop, if it does, then just a little bit …
While it is still colostrum, the baby, although he sucks the breast for a long time, does not necessarily suck colostrum all this time, most likely he sucks the breast as a “pacifier”, thereby ordering the quantity and quality of milk.

– The baby hiccups…. I don’t know what to do!
~ Just wait. Take on the handles, you can press it vertically to yourself, support the little head. They usually hiccup for 10-15 minutes.

– How to trim baby’s nails? He kicks!
~ Convenient to cut with nail scissors, cut three times already. You can try to trim the marigolds in a dream, or while he is looking at something or while feeding. The first times it’s scary, and then you get used to it)))

– Large spots on the skin and a pimple in the middle.
~ This is normal, the skin adapts to the new space – air, water, bacteria. There may also be white pimples that seem to be ready to squeeze out. Do not squeeze out !!!! They will pass by themselves, this is also normal.
In general, this is called the flowering of babies, hormonal pimples or hormonal spots, hormonal flowering, due to a change in the hormonal agent + the skin adapts to new conditions! You don’t need to do anything special, this is normal and everything will go away by itself! You can bathe your baby in chamomile, string, or add chlorophyllipt to the water to calm your mind.
I also heard that it is called erythema – when the baby switches from mom’s hormones to hers.

– Redness in the folds – prickly heat ???
~ Redness in folds appears when it is very hot and if not rinsed. Here it is already necessary to anoint, tk. it is not a question of immunity, and if you do not do something, it can be worse. Two options – either dry it with something like cornstarch or tapioca (instead of powders), or lubricate with a wound-healing agent, such as aloe. In general, in any case, air and water are the most important and healing things for baby skin.If you wash the folds 2-3 times a day, then everything will go away quickly! And dress your baby less.

– Skin comes off under the armpits and on the neck:
~ Skin comes off – this is normal. She will get off, and the new one will be more resistant to impact, strong.
I heard that it would be good in this case to smear the red areas with oil and rinse more often. But the oil did not suit us, in the sense that I noticed that if you just wash it more often with water, the result is better. In super-hot stuffy Vietnam, I wash Misha’s folds 2-3 times every day.If you do not rinse once, then redness appears again, and on it there is a white coating that smells of cheese))

– Yellow skin and yellow whites of the eyes.
~ This is newborn jaundice, normal subject! And the skin and the whites of the eyes.
Neonatal jaundice most often resolves by two weeks of age, but may reappear within the first month. And it happens that up to 3 months the baby still has a little yellowish skin, and this is also normal. But after 3 months this should not be so.
The peak of physiological jaundice is 3-5th day.
It is good to take your baby out into the early morning sun, just for a couple of minutes.
By 1.5 months in the whites of the eyes, yellowness remains only in the corners.

– Thumb sucking.
~ Babies usually suck their toes when they are hungry. At least ours is the only one who does it)) Adults love to scare that kids should not be allowed to suck their thumb, because he atrophies: D In fact, no one has ever seen an atrophied finger. In general, it seems to me that if a child began to suck his thumb, then you need to give him a boob))))

– But when the baby eats, the nostrils are closed by the chest … is this normal?
~ When my son was very little (up to a month), I pressed my finger lightly on the chest near the nose.And then she stopped – he would move the nose himself if there was nothing to breathe)))

– Does a baby need to be covered with a diaper all the time while sleeping and feeding?))
~ It depends on how warm it is at home. If you have a fever at home, then it is better for the baby to sleep naked, this is ideal, because then it is best ventilated, which means that the navel heals better, there is less redness on the skin. For example, while we lived in Bali for the first month of Mishutka’s life, he often slept with us under a liner, especially at night, because then in February-March it was the rainy season and it was cool.He often has blue / purple legs and arms, if he was naked or after a shower, this is just a sign that the baby is cold. So I believe that children should be covered with a diaper only if they have blue / purple legs and / or arms, and if not, then it is not necessary. When Misha was a month old, we flew to Vietnam, and there was a dry hot season, stuffy, and we were out of the question about any covering with a diaper, Misha began to sleep only naked, his legs and arms never turned blue or purple, on the contrary he began to sweat from the heat.

– The kid grunts strangely .. and seems to be sniffing ..
~ Many kids (or almost all) groan and even gurgle – this is air. If you expel the air from the baby more often, then he will make less such sounds. In order for the air to leave the upper part, you need to tightly squeeze the baby to you and sway up and down (on a ball-fitball it is generally ideal!). And so that from the bottom, i.e. to poke: put the baby on the back, take his legs and in turn press his knees into his tummy, one or the other, then make a semicircle with two knees along the upper part of his tummy from right to left (on his right side), and at the end, do rolling – this when the legs are squeezed by the knees in the tummy, and you lift it up, do not spoil it so that the entire thoracic region is twisted.Then wow, how well the bunches go!
It is also good to carry your baby vertically with his back to you – head at chest level, legs in your hand. Moreover, they can be pulled up to the very tummy and pressed tightly in such a position so that the priest is only at the bottom.

– What is it, the kid has been wheezing for the night already … Somewhere in the nasopharynx, as it were. Precisely at nights! As if I had a cold …
~ It’s okay! A physiological rhinitis is called. There are narrow passages in the spout, and the mucous membrane adapts to the new “dry” life.Read about the physiological runny nose in babies)))
It happens that it sniffles, as if the nose is stuffed up or there is something there. Taoke happens more often if you accidentally cover it with your blanket and the baby gets hot, and when he is naked or under his thin diaper, he does not sniff. By the way, pregnant women have the same garbage – nocturnal nasal congestion.
And in the first days after birth, the remnants of mucus still come out and can also cause such sounds))

– What hardness and bulge is the baby’s abdomen normal?
~ The normalness of the belly is determined by touch.If it is solid, then there are a lot of gaziks. The tummy should be soft, you can massage with the edge of your palm from right to left (his right).

– Is there no danger of not holding your head when lifting your baby by the belly?
~ Of course not, what is the danger? He will not throw it up in any way)))) Yes, in general, there is no particular danger, it’s just that when in a position facing you, he can relax and throw his head back, but in other positions you can’t really throw it back. You can even take the baby by the handles and lift, the head will be thrown back, try it and you will see that this is absolutely normal!
No need to be afraid! In general, how you take a child – so it becomes)))
The danger of displacement of the vertebrae, if it leans back, and I have not seen this to the side))

– Is it harmful for a baby to sweat? In a sling, for example, or in Asia in the tropics.
~ Sweating is not harmful))) This is normal. But at the same time, the baby should eat your milk well))) So that the urine is more transparent than yellow. Sometimes it can be yellow if he has not eaten for a long time, but not all day. The baby should burst about 12 times, approximately. Dehydration in a baby can only be if he eats very little every day with active sweating, but these are extremely rare cases – if the baby is healthy, he always eats well))

– Should I wash the foreskin of babies?
~ No.Up to three years, this is not necessary at all and, on the contrary, it can be harmful.

– But if he eats for a long time, more than an hour without a break, then the air does not have time to pass below anyway?
~ So he can swallow it in the process! It seems that the air for one and a half and two hours may not go down and therefore it can still squeeze out milk (regurgitation).

– Is it true that a baby sucks like a pacifier?
~ In a sense, yes, but in fact, of course, not like a pacifier))) Especially at this age (first months).If the child is not allowed to suck like that (when he seems to be not sucking for food), then the milk supply will be sharply reduced! This sucking is a dialogue between the baby and the breast, and roughly if it is an order for the quantity and quality of milk)))
Another baby sucks to calm down. And it is very beneficial for speech and brain. If you do not work out the sucking reflex, they say smoking and gluttony then from this. And partly because the baby sucks out the important back milk, it is more fatty and is produced while the baby sucks, and the front milk contains glucose and water, which are quickly absorbed.The main thing is not to remove the breast – let it really suck for at least hours, this is normal, after 3 months it will pass.

– Why shouldn’t babies sit? And is it really impossible?
~ It depends on HOW to sit: if you hold him in your arms in a sitting position, while holding him under the chest – this is one thing (normal!), And if he is surrounded by pillows and he sits like a lump, limp with his whole body, then this is compression on the vertebrae and curvature and congestion in the pelvis …

– Is it harmful for a baby if he lies crooked?
~ This is fine, but only if it is pressed firmly.In a sling, for example, or in a backpack.

– The baby hangs on the boob for a long time
~ This happens to babies from time to time, most often due to some kind of internal restructuring. And about 3 or 3 months it will be very noticeable: he will re-order milk, because will be rebuilt to a new level of development, the 4th trimester will end, and he will become a real child. From this point on, you can begin to offer him other alternatives, besides the breast, for falling asleep – this will then greatly help with weaning.And start other educational processes.

– How to start planting the baby and when?
~ At least right from birth! It’s just that mom and dad are usually not up to it at first. For example, on the 21st day we began to plant. And before that, I just had no time for that! But when he was puffing or kakal before, I said “pys-pys-pys” so that he associates toilet affairs with this sound)) It will be easier later when you carry the baby to the toilet))
For example, I noticed that we have a son when he wants to go to the toilet, it either starts spinning, wriggling or whimpering, or the breast stops sucking)) Do not be afraid to start! It will bring you a lot of joy that you can’t even think about))))

90,000 Baby does not eat breast milk

No matter how many articles, seminars and letters I (a breastfeeding consultant) have written and delivered, the truth of life will remain the same: nursing mothers are always worried, worried and will worry that the baby is not eating breast milk.

It is a pity that the baby’s tummy is not transparent, and there is no scale showing how much milk is inside. That would be great, right?

In the meantime, you have to worry, worry, and yes, sometimes cry because you cannot track how much the baby has eaten, and the baby cannot tell about his hunger.

But we were joking and that’s enough, let’s get down to serious things. We will return your calmness and confidence in your mother and milk powers.

And I’ll start with the good news: there are proven methods for determining milk shortages.I’ll tell you now.

Signs of milk shortage

How to understand and find out for sure that a child is starving and does not gorge on breast milk?

There are only two correct ways (remember: only TWO!): Wet diaper test and monthly weight gain assessment.

During the day, do not put a diaper on the baby, but swaddle it or keep it in sliders.

A well-fed baby should urinate at least 10-12 times a day. If there are less than 10 peeses, the crumb does not gorge itself, you need to work on mistakes and check yourself for compliance with the rules of breastfeeding.

Measurement of weight gain is carried out once a month, or once a week. More often not needed!

The minimum weight gain for a child under 4 months of age is 500 grams per month, or 125 grams per week. Up to the age of seven months, the increase can be up to 300 grams per month, then the baby grows in leaps and bounds – once the weight stands still, and sometime increases immediately by half a kilo.

If you find out that the baby is not eating breast milk, you need to monitor for signs of dehydration until the situation improves (I sincerely hope that you will not bring the baby to this).The danger signs are as follows:

lethargy, drowsiness;
sunken eyes, dull eyeballs;
dry mucous membranes of the mouth, viscous saliva;
crying without tears;
skin laxity: if you pinch a child, the tuft does not straighten immediately;
bad breath;
babies pee less than 6 times a day, urine is dark, with a strong odor.

Important: If several of these symptoms combine, call an ambulance.

The last of the listed symptoms in itself requires immediate attention to a pediatrician.

to prevent this, learn to breastfeed correctly from the first day after giving birth. How to do this, what to consider, what rules to follow, see the detailed course “Happy Motherhood” >>

Causes of milk shortage

The main reason for insufficient milk supply is improperly organized breastfeeding. Major mistakes you can make:

Hourly feeding.Milk comes in response to a child’s request, that is, to suck. If the crumb is always applied whenever it wants, then there will be enough milk.
Shorter feeding times.
Incorrect latch on the chest.
Uncomfortable feeding position.
Refusal of night attachments. Late morning feeds stimulate the mammary glands to work during the day.
Use of teats and pacifiers.
Feeding with expressed milk.
Feeding in silicone pads.It is impossible to form a correct grip in them. The use of pads is justified during the healing of nipple cracks.

It comes as a surprise to many breastfeeding mothers that milk does not come immediately after giving birth. Normally, it appears after two to three days.

Do not immediately give the baby a mixture, it is better to continue feeding, then the baby, firstly, will be saturated with colostrum, and secondly, it stimulates the mammary glands to produce food as soon as possible.

Other causes of milk shortage:

poor nutrition of nursing, insufficient fluid intake;
Mom is worried and nervous, is in a difficult psychological state;
severe hormonal disorders in the mother;
the nursing woman has little rest;
breast problems: flat nipples, cracked nipples, lactostasis;
the child has problems with the digestive system;
The baby has a runny nose and is unable to suckle effectively;
the child was born large and has a greater need for nutrition in comparison with other babies;
the baby, on the contrary, is weak, falls asleep while feeding.

How to increase the amount of milk?

In order for the child to begin to gorge, first you need to establish the reasons for the lack of milk and eliminate them. Basically, there is little milk due to improperly organized breastfeeding. To remedy the situation, observe the following rules:

Feed the baby on demand. Natural feeding is a special system; the mammary gland produces as much nutrition as the baby needs. Milk is produced in response to stimulation of the nipple.For this system to work, the baby must be breastfed whenever he wants. Learn more about on-demand feeding >>>
How do you know for sure that a baby has eaten breast milk? He let go of his chest. Therefore, do not interrupt feeding, let your baby eat as much as he needs.
Check for correct attachment. The baby’s mouth is wide open, the baby captures not only the nipple, but also the areola. The baby is saturated without any extraneous sounds, only the throats are heard.More about correct attachment >>>
Find some comfortable feeding positions and alternate between them. In any position, the back of the head, neck, back of the child should be in one straight line. The nipple is in the mouth, so the baby does not have to turn his head or reach for the breast.
If your baby is not full, feed only one breast, alternating each feed. So the baby will suck both the front milk and the more nutritious back milk.
If the baby is weak and sleeps a lot, wake him up for feedings.Don’t let us sleep more than three hours during the day, more than five at night. To help your baby eat more actively, wash him before feeding. Some babies eat better naked.
Don’t give a bottle or a pacifier. The baby sucks them in a completely different way from the breast. Children quickly get used to the nipples, then they try to take the breast like a bottle, nothing happens and the baby is transferred to artificial feeding.
Get more rest, sleep when the baby sleeps.
Accept any help, involve your relatives in caring for the baby yourself.
Eat tasty, healthy foods rich in protein and carbohydrates 3-5 times a day. Drink plenty of fluids. More about meals during GW >>>
If your child has a health problem, take it to a pediatrician.

If you are not sure that you will be able to organize breastfeeding on your own, you can contact a breastfeeding consultant for in-person consultation. If this is not possible, you should use the help of a Skype consultant by writing a request through the feedback form.

During the consultation, we will determine whether the baby is really not eating enough and what needs to be done to ensure that your baby has enough milk.
See also video on the amount and fat content of breast milk:

Seven myths to dispel

Some advice for breastfeeding is passed by word of mouth, but does not help to increase the amount of milk, and sometimes can do harm at all:

How to tell if a baby has eaten breast milk? You will most likely be asked to weigh it before and after feeding.The error of such a procedure is so great that it becomes absolutely irrelevant. The child should be weighed no more than once a week.
No need to supplement with formula. The more formula the baby eats, the less time he will spend on the breast, and less milk will arrive at the next feeding.
Do not give goat or cow milk to your child. A small body is not adapted for such nutrition, and the baby may have problems with the digestive system.
Introduce complementary foods no earlier than six months of age.Earlier accustoming to adult food provokes problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Do not give your baby a drink before introducing complementary foods. Milk is 86% water and satisfies the need for food and drink.
Milk in a woman’s diet has nothing to do with how to increase breast milk; eating “for two” so that the child can eat is a myth. Milk is not formed from the mother’s food, but from her blood.

Natural feeding has many advantages over artificial feeding.Do your best to breastfeed your baby, and I will definitely help you with this.

Read also:

Author: Lyudmila Sharova

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(17)

(2171)

(15)

(3)

(583)

(20)

Monographs, textbooks and patent documentation

(1)

(2)

(1)

(8)

(3 )

(4)

(9)

(13)

(6)

(20)

(72)

(9)

(21)

(4)

(3 )

(22)

(5)

(1)

(2)

(1)

Lectures and methodological aids

(5)

(51)

(5)

(2)

(10)

(7)

(9)

(8)

(3)

( 4)

(10)

(106)

(4)

(21)

(1)

(55)

(12)

(96)

(15)

( 1)

(1)

(226)

(22)

(1)

(5)

(4)

(8)

(4)

(13)

Research reports

(1)

Collections to help small and medium-sized businesses

(15)

Survey information and bibliographic indexes GPTB

(42)

(7)