Why do babies spit up curdled milk. What does normal baby spit-up look like. When should you call a doctor for baby spit-up. How can you reduce baby spit-up. What are the possible causes of spitting up curdled milk in babies. Is spitting up curdled milk normal for newborns. How can you differentiate between normal spit-up and concerning symptoms.

Understanding the Phenomenon of Curdled Milk Spit-Up in Babies

Babies spitting up curdled milk is a common occurrence that often worries new parents. But what exactly causes this phenomenon? When milk mixes with stomach acid during the digestion process, it naturally curdles. This curdling is a normal part of digestion and doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem. However, excessive or frequent spitting up of curdled milk may warrant closer attention.

It’s important to note that an immature digestive system, which is typical in newborns and young infants, can contribute to this issue. As babies grow and their digestive systems develop, the frequency of spit-up episodes often decreases.

7 Key Reasons Why Babies Spit Up Curdled Milk

Understanding the underlying causes of curdled milk spit-up can help parents manage the situation more effectively. Here are seven primary reasons:

1. Acid Reflux: A Common Culprit

Acid reflux is a frequent cause of curdled milk spit-up in newborns and young babies. Immature gastroesophageal sphincters can allow stomach contents to flow back up through the esophagus and into the mouth. In severe cases of acid reflux, formula feeding may be recommended as formula can be slightly thicker than breast milk, potentially reducing reflux episodes.

To manage acid reflux-related spit-up:

• Feed your baby in an upright position
• Avoid overfeeding
• Keep your baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding
• Consider smaller, more frequent feedings

In some cases, medication may be necessary to manage severe acid reflux. Always consult with a pediatrician before making any significant changes to your baby’s feeding routine or introducing medications.

2. Food Intolerance or Allergy: Hidden Triggers

Lactose intolerance or milk allergies can lead to frequent spitting up of curdled milk. If you suspect a food intolerance or allergy, it’s crucial to consult with a pediatrician. They may recommend switching from breast milk to specific formulas, such as:

• Low-lactose formula
• Hypoallergenic formula (hydrolysate formula)

It’s worth noting that some babies may spit up curdled milk when drinking cow’s milk. However, cow’s milk should not be introduced to a baby’s diet until they are at least 12 months old. If you’re breastfeeding and suspect your baby has a milk allergy, you may need to eliminate dairy from your own diet and consult with a healthcare provider for guidance.

3. Pyloric Stenosis: A Serious Condition

Pyloric stenosis is a condition where the pylorus, the outlet of the stomach, becomes narrowed and obstructed. This interferes with the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines and can cause babies to regurgitate curdled milk from the stomach.

Symptoms of pyloric stenosis include:

• Projectile vomiting of curdled milk
• Absence of bowel movements or constipation
• Weight loss

If you suspect pyloric stenosis, seek immediate medical care. This condition typically requires surgical intervention to correct.

4. Overfeeding: Too Much of a Good Thing

Babies who are fed more than their stomachs can comfortably hold are prone to spitting up curdled or regular milk. Overfeeding can cause pressure in the stomach, leading to the opening of the gastroesophageal sphincters and the backflow of stomach contents.

To prevent overfeeding:

• Pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues
• Stop feeding when your baby shows signs of fullness
• For bottle-fed babies, follow the recommended amount of formula for your baby’s age and weight

5. Immature Gastrointestinal System: A Matter of Time

An underdeveloped gastrointestinal system is a common reason for frequent spit-up in many babies, especially newborns and premature infants. As the digestive system matures, the frequency of spit-up episodes typically decreases.

To support your baby’s developing digestive system:

• Feed smaller amounts more frequently
• Burp your baby regularly during feedings
• Keep your baby in an upright position for about 30 minutes after feeding

6. Feeding Position: The Importance of Proper Positioning

The position in which a baby is fed can significantly impact the likelihood of spit-up. Babies fed in a lying-down position are more prone to spit up compared to those fed in an upright position. Upright feeding helps milk move down promptly and may also help keep the esophageal sphincters closed.

Tips for proper feeding position:

• Hold your baby at a 45-degree angle during feeding
• Support your baby’s head and neck
• Avoid laying your baby flat immediately after feeding

7. Swallowing Air: A Common Side Effect of Feeding

When babies swallow air during feeding, it can increase the chance of spit-up. The gastroesophageal sphincters may open for burping, and babies may spit up milk or curdled milk along with the burp.

To minimize air swallowing:

• Ensure a proper latch during breastfeeding
• Use bottles designed to reduce air intake
• Take breaks during feeding to burp your baby

Identifying Normal Baby Spit-Up: What to Look For

Understanding what normal baby spit-up looks like can help alleviate concerns and identify potential issues. Typically, spit-up appears whitish in both breastfed and formula-fed infants. As babies start consuming solid foods, the color of their spit-up may vary depending on their diet.

Normal spit-up characteristics include:

• Whitish or milk-colored appearance
• Small amount (usually less than a tablespoon)
• Occurs shortly after feeding
• Baby seems comfortable and unbothered

Sometimes, babies may spit up clear fluid, which could be saliva or stomach acid. However, certain colors in spit-up can indicate potential problems:

• Red or coffee-ground color: May indicate bleeding in the stomach or upper gastrointestinal tract
• Yellow or green color: Could be due to bile or phlegm

If you notice these colors in your baby’s spit-up, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Red Flags in Baby Spit-Up

While occasional spit-up is normal, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Contact your healthcare provider if your baby experiences any of the following:

• Failure to gain weight or weight loss
• Forceful spit-up or projectile vomiting
• Green or yellow fluid in spit-up
• Blood in spit-up or coffee-ground appearance
• Refusal to eat or drink
• Blood in stool
• Breathing problems after spit-up
• Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, fewer wet diapers, sunken fontanelle)
• Continuous or frequent crying

It’s crucial to note that stopping or reducing breastfeeding or switching to formula feeding without consulting a pediatrician is not recommended. A healthcare professional can help diagnose the underlying cause of excessive spit-up and recommend appropriate treatment.

Effective Strategies to Reduce Curdled Milk Spit-Up

While some degree of spit-up is normal in babies, there are several strategies parents can employ to help reduce its frequency and volume:

1. Feed your baby in an upright position and keep them upright for 30 minutes after feeding.
2. Burp your baby frequently during and after feedings.
3. Avoid overfeeding by paying attention to your baby’s hunger and fullness cues.
4. For bottle-fed babies, ensure the nipple hole is the right size – too large can lead to overfeeding, too small can cause air swallowing.
5. Consider smaller, more frequent feedings rather than larger, less frequent ones.
6. If breastfeeding, try eliminating dairy, caffeine, or other potential irritants from your diet.
7. For formula-fed babies, consult with your pediatrician about trying a different formula if spit-up is excessive.

Remember, every baby is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. It may take some trial and error to find the most effective strategies for your baby.

The Role of Diet in Managing Baby Spit-Up

Diet plays a crucial role in managing baby spit-up, both for breastfed and formula-fed infants. For breastfeeding mothers, certain foods in their diet may contribute to increased spit-up in their babies. Common culprits include:

• Dairy products
• Caffeine
• Spicy foods
• Acidic foods like citrus and tomatoes

If you suspect that your diet is contributing to your baby’s spit-up, consider keeping a food diary to track potential correlations. However, it’s important to maintain a balanced diet and consult with a healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.

For formula-fed babies, the type of formula can impact spit-up frequency. Some babies may do better with:

• Hypoallergenic formulas
• Formulas designed for sensitive stomachs
• Thickened formulas (only under a doctor’s recommendation)

Always consult with your pediatrician before switching formulas, as they can guide you to the most appropriate option for your baby’s specific needs.

Understanding the Difference Between Spit-Up and Vomit

It’s crucial for parents to distinguish between normal spit-up and vomiting, as the latter may indicate a more serious issue. Here are the key differences:

Spit-Up:

• Effortless, often described as a “wet burp”
• Small amount, usually less than a tablespoon
• Baby typically remains comfortable
• Occurs during or shortly after feeding

Vomit:

• Forceful, often projectile
• Larger amount
• Baby may seem distressed or uncomfortable
• Can occur at any time, not just after feeding
• May be accompanied by other symptoms like fever or diarrhea

If your baby is experiencing what appears to be vomiting rather than normal spit-up, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider, especially if it’s frequent or accompanied by other symptoms.

The Impact of Growth and Development on Baby Spit-Up

As babies grow and develop, their digestive systems mature, which often leads to a decrease in spit-up episodes. This developmental progression typically follows a pattern:

1. Newborns (0-3 months): Frequent spit-up is common due to an immature digestive system and developing muscle control.
2. Infants (3-6 months): Spit-up may begin to decrease as the digestive system matures and babies gain better head and neck control.
3. Older infants (6-12 months): Spit-up usually becomes less frequent as babies start sitting up and their digestive systems continue to mature.
4. Toddlers (12+ months): Spit-up is typically rare, and any persistent spit-up at this age should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

It’s important to note that every baby develops at their own pace, and some may continue to spit up more frequently than others even as they grow. However, if spit-up persists or worsens as your baby gets older, it’s advisable to consult with a pediatrician.

The Psychological Impact of Baby Spit-Up on Parents

While baby spit-up is often a normal part of infant development, it can be a source of stress and anxiety for parents, especially first-time caregivers. It’s important to address the psychological impact this common occurrence can have:

• Anxiety about baby’s health and nutrition
• Frustration with constant cleaning and laundry
• Worry about public feeding and potential spit-up incidents
• Feelings of inadequacy or failure if unable to prevent spit-up

To manage these feelings:

1. Educate yourself about normal infant development and spit-up patterns
2. Share your concerns with your pediatrician for reassurance and guidance
3. Connect with other parents who can relate to your experiences
4. Practice self-care and stress-management techniques
5. Remember that spit-up is usually a phase that will pass as your baby grows

If feelings of anxiety or stress become overwhelming, don’t hesitate to seek support from a mental health professional who specializes in postpartum issues.

Innovative Products Designed to Manage Baby Spit-Up

As baby spit-up is such a common issue, numerous products have been developed to help parents manage it more effectively. While these products aren’t necessary for all babies, some parents find them helpful:

• Anti-reflux bottles: Designed to reduce air intake during feeding
• Specialized formulas: Thickened or anti-reflux formulas (only use under doctor’s recommendation)
• Burp cloths and bibs: Made from highly absorbent materials for easy clean-up
• Spit-up catchers: Wearable cloths that cover the parent’s shoulder and chest
• Wedge pillows: For supervised naps, can help keep baby slightly elevated (never use during unsupervised sleep)
• Bottle nipples with anti-colic vents: Designed to reduce air swallowing during feeding

7 Reasons Why Babies Spit Up Curdled Milk And When To Worry

Babies may spit up curdled milk due to various causes. The milk gets curdled when it is mixed with stomach acid. It is a normal occurrence during digestion. Occasionally, babies may spit up curdled milk or milk due to an immature digestive system.

Excessive spitting up of curdled milk or any stomach contents is a cause of concern. You may consult a pediatrician since this can be due to underlying causes that may require medical or surgical care.

Read this post to know more about the possible causes and tips to manage spitting up curdled milk in babies.

Possible Causes Of Spitting Up Curdled Milk

Babies may spit up curdled milk occasionally without apparent causes. However, excessive spitting up of curdled milk can be due to any of the following reasons (1).

1. Acid reflux

Acid reflux can be a common cause of spitting up curdled milk in new borns and young babies. Immature gastroesophagealsphinctersmay cause stomach contents to come up through the esophagus and reach the mouth.

Babies with severe acid reflux may require formula feeding since formula can be slightly thicker than breastmilk. Feeding in an upright position and avoiding overfeeding may help reduce acid reflux in some babies.

You may seeka pediatrician’s advice to choose the best method to manage acid reflux in your baby. Some may require medications to prevent acid reflux.

2. Food intolerance or allergy

Lactose intolerance or milk allergy could cause frequent spitting up of curdled milk in some babies. Switching from breastmilk to specific formulas, such as low-lactose formula or hypoallergenic formula (hydrolysate formula), may improve the baby’s condition.

Some babies may spit up curdled milk if they are drinking cow’s milk. Eliminating cow’s milk from the diet could resolve this problem. You must only introduce cow’s milk once the baby is older than 12 months.

3. Pyloric stenosis

Pylorus is the outlet of the stomach. Pyloric stenosis is a condition where the pylorus is narrowed and obstructed. The condition interferes with the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines. It can cause the baby to regurgitate curdled milk from the stomach.

Babies may have projectile vomiting of curdled milk, no bowel movement or constipation, and weight loss due to pyloric stenosis. You may seek medical care for diagnosis and treatment.

4. Overfeeding

Babies fed more than the required amount tend to spit up curdled or regular milk since their stomach is full. The gastroesophageal sphincters may open due to pressure and cause the backflow of stomach contents in overfed babies.

5. Immature gastrointestinal system

Immature or underdeveloped gastrointestinal structures and functions can be a reason for frequent spit-up in many babies. Newborns and premature babies are more likely to have an immature GI system.

6. Feeding position

Babies fed in lying down positions may quickly spit up when compared to babies who are mostly fed in an upright position. Milk tends to move down promptly in an upright position, and the position may also help keep the esophageal sphincters closed.

7. Swallowing air

Swallowing air while feeding may increase the chance of spit-up. The gastroesophageal sphincters may open for burping, and babies may spit up milk or curdled milk along with burp.

Try to identify and avoid the possible causes of spitting up curdled milk. Seek medical care if the baby continues to spit up curdled milk regardless of interventions.

What Does Normal Baby Spit-up Look Like?

Spit-up can be whitish in breastfed and formula-fed infants. Older infants who are eating solid foods may have spit-up of other colors, depending on what they eat. Sometimes, babies may spit up saliva or stomach acid that may look like a clear fluid.

The red color and coffee-ground color may indicate bleeding in the stomach or upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and yellow or green color can be due to bile or phlegm. You may seek medical care if spit-up has these colors.

When To Call A Doctor?

You may contact the healthcare provider if your baby spits up excess curdled milk or spits up frequently. You may seek medical care for both curdled spit-up and normal spit-up.

Seek medical care if your baby has any of the following conditions with excess spit-up (4).

• No weight gain
• Forceful spit-up or vomiting
• Green or yellow fluid
• Blood in spit-up or coffee-ground appearance of the spit-up
• Refuses to eat or drink
• Blood in stool
• Breathing problems after spit-up
• Dehydration
• Continuous or frequent crying

Stopping or reducing breastfeeding or changing to formula feeding without consulting a pediatrician is not an ideal decision. Spitting up curdled milk can be due to various reasons. The doctor will diagnose the underlying cause and commence the necessary treatment for relief.

Tips To Reduce Spitting Up Curdled Milk

The following tips may help to reduce spitting up curdled milk in babies (2) (3).

• Feeding in an upright position may help to minimize spit-up.

• Do not overfeed since babies tend to spit up more when the stomach is full.

• Do not let the baby lay on their stomach immediately after feeding.

• Manage milk flow or adjust feeding positions if you have an oversupply of milk.

• Avoid dressing the baby in tight clothes that may put pressure on their belly while feeding.

• Feed in regular intervals; long gaps between feedings may increase stomach acid build-up.

• Give medications on time if prescribed.

• Modify the diet of infants who are on solid food as per recommendations.

• Breastfeeding mothers may modify their diet as per recommendations.

• Do the necessary surgery if spitting up is due to certain conditions, such as pyloric stenosis.

Spitting up of curdled milk can be avoided in many babies. However, if your baby tends to spit up more than usual, you may seek medical care.

Spitting up of curdled milk is usually a normal event. Most babies stop the habit as they grow older and as their digestive system becomes mature. You may try to identify the possible causes, such as erroneous feeding positions or overfeeding, and make changes accordingly. If your interventions don’t work, consult a pediatrician for the diagnosis of any underlying issue.

References:

Spitting Up | Ask Dr Sears

1. Why babies spit up.

Babies spit up because they are just being babies. They gulp milk and air, and the air settles beneath the milk in the stomach. When baby’s stomach contracts, like an air gun, the stomach shoots some milk back up the esophagus, and you have sour, curdled milk on your shoulder. Some ravenous eaters gulp too much milk too fast, and the overloaded tummy sends some back. Jostling babies after eating may also trigger regurgitation. Spitting up can sometimes become more than a laundry problem and reflects a medical problem, such as a formula allergy , pyloric stenosis, or gastroesophageal reflux.

SPIT UP TIP

Try what we call the fist test: Tiny babies have tiny tummies, about the size of their fists. Place a full bottle next to baby’s fist, notice the size mismatch, and you’ll see why the overloaded tummy rebels.

2. When not to worry

The spots of dried milk on your clothing are telltale signs that you are the parent of a spitter. Most babies regurgitate, or spit up, their milk or formula several times a day during the early months. This is more of a laundry problem than a medical problem and seldom bothers baby. Dress for the occasion. If you are blessed with a baby who shares a bit of each meal with your clothing, wear prints and avoid dark-colored clothing. Keep a cloth diaper handy as a burp cloth. Don’t worry if:

• Baby is gaining weight optimally
• Baby is not in colicky abdominal pain
• The spit-up doesn’t always shoot out (projectile) a couple feet
• The spitting up is getting less frequent and less volume
• Baby is thriving and acting well

3. Not much lost

When baby spits up, you may feel she has lost all the milk your body worked so hard to produce, or wasted the expensive formula you bought. But you are likely to vastly overestimate the volume of regurgitated milk. Pour a tablespoon of milk or formula on the countertop and watch the huge puddle it makes. Now, does that amount match the spot on your dress? Most spit- up measures only a teaspoonful.

4. When to worry

Spitting up becomes a problem and needs medical attention if any of the following occur:

• Baby is losing weight or not gaining weight sufficiently.
• The vomiting increases in frequency and volume and becomes projectile (the spit-up flies across your lap and onto the floor).
• The vomitus is consistently green (bile stained).
• Painful colicky behaviors accompany the vomiting
• Baby gags and coughs during every feeding.

BLOOD IN SPIT-UP

Don’t panic at baby’s first bleed. If you breastfeed, most often this is your blood, not baby’s. It usually comes from cracked nipples during breastfeeding and subsides when your nipples heal. Occasionally, baby may retch or spit up forcefully and tear a tiny blood vessel at the end of the esophagus. This also heals quickly. If neither of these causes seems likely and the bleeding continues, notify your doctor.

5. Five Ways to settle the spitter

1. Slow the feedings. Respect that tiny babies have tiny tummies. If formula feeding, give your baby smaller-volume, more frequent feedings.
2. Burp baby during and after the feedings. Formula-fed spitters should be burped every three ounces (ninety milliliters) of milk, and breastfed spitters should be burped when switching sides or during a pause in baby’s sucking if baby lingers on one side.
3. Feed upright and keep baby upright twenty to thirty minutes after a feeding. If you do not have time simply to sit and hold your baby upright, wear your baby in the upright position in a baby sling as you go about your work. Gravity is the spitter’s best friend.
4. Avoid jostling or bouncing baby for at least a half hour after a feed.
5. If bottlefeeding, be sure the nipple hole is neither too large nor too small.

When to expect the last spat. Most spitting up subsides around six to seven months when baby sits upright and gravity holds down the milk.

August 23, 2013October 18, 2017Dr. Bill Sears

Baby Spitting Up Curdled Milk? Learn Why and When to Worry

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Mom’s question:
My baby boy is 5 weeks old. He is eating 4 oz every 3-4 hours. He is spitting up a lot. He was on breast milk, but after he was spitting up what looked like curdled milk his doctor said to try formula. He is doing the same thing, so switching to formula didn’t help at all. I’m not sure what to try now?

Thanks,
Brandi (Sparr, FL)

Easy Baby Life:

Baby Spitting Up Curdled Milk, Normal Or Not?

What Does Normal Baby Spit Up Look Like

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I wonder if maybe you and the doctor have misunderstood each other.

For babies that are fully breastfed or formula-fed, normal baby spit-up will look just like the formula or milk that he or she just had or may appear more or less curdled.

The milk becomes curdled when mixed with the acidic stomach fluid. So a baby spitting up curdled milk in itself is completely normal and not a problem. Many young babies spit up a bit of curdled milk now and then.

However, curdled milk in combination with very frequent vomiting may be a sign that something is not completely right.

Whether the milked is curdled or not is more a matter of how quickly they spit up after feeding! If the baby swallowed the milk, and it is mixed with the stomach fluids, it will come back up curdled. If your baby spat up immediately after swallowing, the milk will come back up just like regular milk.

However, curdled milk in combination with very frequent vomiting may be a sign that something is not completely right.

Baby Spit-up Color

As you have already noticed, baby spit-up is likely to be whitish as long as the baby only eats formula or breastmilk. Once solid foods are introduced, the spit-up color will, of course, depend on what the baby is eating.

However, there are a few colors to watch out for.

Red (indicating blood) or coffee-ground color (also indicating blood) needs to be addressed by a doctor immediately since some sort of internal bleeding is going on.

Yellow or green colored baby spit-up could mean that your baby either is vomiting phlegm or bile. Both indicating that your baby is ill.

Babies can also spit up clear liquid, which is usually less of a concern. The spit-up can be saliva or stomach content, and it can indicate acid reflux or possibly pyloric stenosis, which you can read more about below.

But again, a baby spitting up curdled milk is not in itself an issue.

When Do Babies Stop Spitting up?

When babies stop spitting up is quite individual and depends on if they have any underlying problems or just “normal” baby spit-up”.

But in general spitting-up peaks at around 4 months and then stops at some point between 6 months and 12 months of age. Most babies more or less stop spitting up when they have become strong enough to sit up without support.

Reasons for Excessive Spitting Up of Curdled Milk in Babies

Here are a few possible reasons for excessive spitting up of curdled milk:

1. Intolerance

Your boy may have an intolerance to for example lactose or milk protein. If this is the case, then switching to some formula will not help at all unless you give him a special formula that caters to these problems.

You will find symptoms of lactose intolerance and milk protein allergy in this post.

Two possible types of formula that may work are hydrolysate formula, which is hypoallergenic and most often tolerated by babies with milk protein allergy, or low lactose formula, which can help your baby if he is lactose intolerant. (Links to Amazon, where you can check them out.)

However, it is entirely possible to continue breastfeeding a baby who is allergic to cow’s milk! All you have to do is to eliminate cow’s milk from your own diet.

2. Acid reflux

He may suffer from acid reflux. This is quite a common condition among newborn babies, where the gastric juices containing acid can travel back from the stomach into the throat – painful.

Switching to formula can sometimes help slightly since the formula is a bit thicker than breast milk. This is probably why the doctor suggested it. But it is a fairly minor difference – or no difference, as in your case!

Instead of quitting the breastfeeding, which obviously has a lot of benefits, try things like not feeding your baby too much at the time, feeding him in an upright position, avoid foods (for you if you breastfeed) that can aggravate reflux such as citrus, tomatoes, fatty foods, spicy foods, and carbonated drinks.

You’ll find several tips for feeding a baby with reflux in this thread.

Learn more about foods to eat and avoid while breastfeeding here.

There is also some medication available for severe acid reflux.

Obviously, no one can tell if your baby does have reflux without examining him and there may be other reasons for his spitting up. You can find Q& As of many related situations here when babies spit up a lot.

3. Pyloric Stenosis

Pyloric Stenosis is a condition where the outlet of the stomach is too narrow for the foods to travel over into the intestines.

Projectile vomiting of milk that may or may not is curdled, weight loss, and constipation are some of the signs of pyloric stenosis.

This condition needs treatment and surgery. (You can read more about pyloric stenosis at KidsHealth.org).

This is not a full list, of course, but some examples. It may very well also be that nothing is wrong with your baby and that he simply is a baby who spits up a bit more than the average infant. If he is gaining weight and doesn’t appear to be in pain, he is likely to be fine.

Warning Signs of Excessive Spitting Up in Babies

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The reason I say that the doctor and you may have misunderstood each other is that it should be the excessive spitting up rather than the curled milk that is the main problem.

Here are some indicators from Mayo Clinic of problematic excessive spitting up in babies:

• Your baby isn’t gaining weight
• The spit ups are forceful, more like real vomiting
• The spit-up contain green or yellow fluid
• Your baby spits up blood or material that looks like coffee grounds (which is likely to be blood, and in this case you need to take your baby to a doctor immediately)
• Your baby refuses to eat repeatedly
• There is blood in his or her poop
• Your baby has difficulty breathing or other signs of illness (again, call the Dr or an ambulance, depending on the situation)
• Spitting starts late – at age 6 months or older (this could, for example, be due to a food intolerance)
• If your baby cries a lot –  for more than three hours a day and is more irritable than normal
• Shows signs of dehydration and has fewer wet diapers than usual

I think you should take him back to his doctor (or maybe to another one if you don’t think you get enough support from this one).

Simply telling you to stop breastfeeding is not, in my opinion, good advice. And you need to understand what the Doctor actually thinks is the problem.

There are not many reasons to think that quitting breastfeeding would be a solution when a baby is spitting up curdled milk (as you have already noticed), and while the formula is a good substitution for breastmilk, it is still a substitution and several of the benefits of breastfeeding will be missed.

Good luck!
Paula

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Hey, parents, is your baby spitting up curdled milk too? Please help this mom by commenting below! Or share your own thoughts and worries!

Reflux or Acid Reflux? – Balanced Breastfeeding

All babies have reflux. Some babies have acid reflux. 

Reflux: backwards flow of milk (when it goes up instead of down). Think “Happy Spitter.”

Acid Reflux: when stomach acid flows back along with the milk up the esophagus, causing heartburn-like pain. This is an “Unhappy Spitter.”

Silent Reflux: acid or non acid spit up that you don’t see come out baby’s mouth. They may seem to throw up in their mouth, then swallow it back down. This may or may not be painful for them.

A baby with normal reflux: 

• Has a small to moderate amount of spit.
• Is rarely bothered by spitting up.
• Sometimes chokes on their puke little and it might come out their nose. It bothers them and he may get upset for a minute, but that was probably just because they were scared that they couldn’t breathe for a second.  This kid is upset because they were startled, not in pain.
• Has spit up that looks like chunky “curdled” looking milk or it may look exactly like freshly pumped milk. Neither really mean anything, one was just in their tummy a little longer than the other.
• May or may not be hungry after spitting up. More often than not, they would be interested in sucking, but not eating after spitting up (i. e. on a pacifier).  This may surprise you since it looked like they just threw up the entirety of their feeding!
• Doesn’t mind laying flat on their back.

The baby with normal reflux we will refer to as a “Happy Spitter.” The spitting up bothers you more than it bothers your baby. The worst problem you have is a laundry problem. 

A baby with excessive reflux: 

• Has a moderate to very large amount of spit.
• Is rarely bothered by spitting up.

Now, there are two categories here: the well gaining spitter and the poorly gaining spitter. Pay attention. The advice I am about to give it for the well gaining spitter. If you have a poorly gaining spitter, do not follow the following advice. Instead, see “unhappy spitter” below, because a poor gainer is not a happy baby. 

If you have a well gaining spitter, you likely tend toward an oversupply of milk.  You may also  have a fast let down, leading the baby to eat a lot of milk quickly, sometimes finishing a feeding in less than 10 minutes, drinking rapidly throughout most of the feeling.

If your baby shows you signs that he has taken in a lot very quickly and needs a break, give him a break. Let him digest a little! If he is looking to suck, offer him a pacifier and hold him upright so he can let his brain catch up with his belly. 

A baby with acid reflux: 

• Seems to be in pain after spitting up.

Sometimes, a baby will spit and then scream. The main difference here is that a parents almost always say, “My baby seems like they are in pain.” This is the most important identifying factor of acid reflux. A parent’s instinct really kicks in and says that something is not right. If this is the case, it is time to get your baby’s health care provider involved in the conversation. 

What to do about reflux:

Babies have immature digestive tracts. The muscles and flaps that are supposed to keep his food down tend to not work so well all the time and the food just sloshes back up into his throat. Holding a baby upright helps keep the food in his tummy and out of his throat.  

During feedings, try to angle the pillow while feeding so baby’s head is higher than his hips. If you think you have too much milk or a fast let down, check out those techniques here. 

A realistic word to the wise:  There is no exact number of minutes that a baby should be held upright in order to decrease the risk of spitting up. Pediatricians will recommend  holding baby upright for as long as thirty minutes after feeding! However much this might be helpful, it is rarely reasonable. Try this: if 30 minutes works, try 25 minutes. Then, try 20. You get the point.

• Lessen the acidity of the spit up: 

Meds. Acid reflux hurts! It is heartburn, after all, so if your baby is having painful spit ups, strongly consider talking to your doctor about medication.

FYI: Sometimes you need to try a few different types and strengths of reflux medication for it to work. Also, this medication is weight dependent, so as baby gets bigger, the medication may need to be increased in order for it to work better. 

Also, your pediatrician will most likely only be able to handle the basics of managing reflux, so if the first few tries of medication aren’t working, you or he should suggest visiting a pediatric GI specialist.

Remember: reflux and food intolerance are different. I DO NOT recommend taking a whole bunch of foods out of your diet and also treating the reflux with medication. Why? Because then you will have no idea which worked. You will be left without ice cream at night when you might not have needed to inflict that unnecessary torture on yourself.

Still not sure what is up with your unhappy baby?

Try this:

The Unhappy Eater: A baby who is crying while eating, popping on and off, or popping off and crying. 

Home Remedies For Babies Spitting-Up Curdled Milk

If your baby is consistently throwing up curdled milk, try one of these nine at-home remedies to soothe their stomach.

It’s normal for babies to spit-up in the first few months. Spitting-up is a result of acid reflux, undeveloped digestive system, and overstimulation of the infant after feeding. Parents become overly concerned when their babies spit up, and you probably are. Luckily, this reflex does not cause discomfort to your child. However, there are home remedies that can help you reduce the number of times your baby spits-up. This article features nine useful tips.

Avoid Slouched & Curled Positions During Feeding

Did you know that a feeding position can increase or decrease the number of your baby’s spit-ups? Feeding your baby in a curled position puts your newborn at a higher risk of spitting-up. An upright position is the best and recommended way to feed your child.

Express Breastmilk Before Feeds

When your baby consumes breastmilk in short spurts, they are likely to spit up. Any time you feel your breasts are full or have powerful letdowns, try expressing milk before breastfeeding. This will manage the amount of milk your little one consumes. What if you bottle-feed your little one? First Cry Parenting advises parents to ensure the nipple hole delivers milk flow that is comfortable for the baby.

Avoid Overfeeding

As much as you want your baby fed, avoid overfeeding. When your infant’s stomach is too full, they are more likely to spurt out curdled milk. To reduce the number of spit-ups, have smaller feeds at regular intervals.

Burp Your Baby

Babies gulp air down when feeding, which can lead to a spit-up during an escape. Burping, however, frees this trapped air. Patting your baby on their back helps them belch to release gas. The best time to burp is during or after a feeding session.

Avoid Distractions When Feeding Your Baby

Babies ingest lots of air when feeding in loud environments resulting in spitting up. For this reason, ensure you feed your baby in a calm and quiet space.

Limit Play After Feedings

Your baby’s stomach will be full after a feed. Therefore, avoid overstimulating your baby through play, particularly the tummy. Healthy Children explains that pressing their belly will only force out milk from their undeveloped digestive system. Therefore, avoid spit-ups by postponing play and tummy time after breast or bottle-feeding.

Substitute Rice Cereal With Oatmeal

Babies with acid reflux or dysphagia need to consume thicker food to reduce spit-ups. Most parents feed their babies rice cereal. However, the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends the use of oatmeal. Its high-fibre content reduces constipation and acid reflux.

Watch What You Eat

Breastfeeding moms need to observe what they eat as it can affect their baby. Spicy foods, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and carbonated drinks can interfere with breastmilk to cause reflux. Moms should avoid foods that cause acid reflux as it increases the number of times their baby will spit-up.

Keep Baby’s Stomach Free Of Extra Pressure

Would you like it if someone applied pressure on your belly? Well, your baby’s stomach does not enjoy it either. Extra pressure from tight diapers and clothes can result in spit-ups. Therefore, always check that the diapers and baby clothes are well-fitting.

When To Consult A Doctor

Babies do not seem bothered when they spit-up. However, if you notice any of the following signs, you need to call or visit your pediatrician.

Baby Looks Dehydrated

Babies spit up a small fraction of their milk consumption. However, if your baby hurls more curdled milk, they can become hydrated. A sunken fontanelle, tearless crying, less than six wet diapers a day, and irritability are signs that your newborn is dehydrated. If your infant exhibits the above symptoms, you need to consult a doctor.

RELATED: Thomas Rhett Says ‘Everything’s Fine’ After His 6-Week-Old Daughter Spits Up On Him

Change In Your Infant’s Skin Color

Your baby’s skin color should not change after a normal spit-up. But if you notice that your baby’s skin turned blue during this reflex, visit your doctor. Emedicine notes that the color change happens when the baby stops breathing. You should consult your pediatrician when your child develops breathing difficulties.

Green Or Brown Spit-up

Spit-up milk should look like regular milk or have a curdled texture. What if your baby retches out a green or brown looking content? Visit the doctor. This is a sign that your baby’s intestines have a blockage. Seek medical attention if the spit-up is bloody too.

Regular Spit-ups After 6 Months

Babies have a more developed digestive system at six months. This means that the number of spit-ups reduces at this stage. If your child experiences regular spit-ups after six months, you need to talk to your pediatrician.

Weight Changes

Spit-ups should not interfere with a baby’s weight. Nevertheless, if you feel your baby is losing weight or not gaining any from spitting-up, you should call the doctor.

NEXT: Why Does My Baby Spit Up Curdled Milk? Reasons & Solutions

Sources: First Cry Parenting, Healthy Children, Emedicine,

Must-Know Tips For Keeping Baby’s Clothes Clean

About The Author

Karen Samuels
(683 Articles Published)

Karen is a momma that loves to write. She has been on writing on pregnancy, parenting, motherhood, and the realities of raising babies for the past four years. She’s worked with Woman Junction, BabyGaga, The Talko, The Things, as well as other sites. For inquiries, please email [email protected]

More From Karen Samuels

Baby Spitting up Curdled Milk: Should I Be Concerned?

Do you know why babies spit up? Clearly, because they are just being babies! Spitting up after drinking the milk is completely normal and harmless for most of the infants. What they generally do is to gulp milk and air, and when their stomach contracts, the stomach shoots milk back up. Spitting could be sometimes more than just a laundry problem and could reflect a medical problem. This could be pyloric stenosis, formula allergy, or gastroesophageal reflux. Spitting up of milk or vomiting if occurs too frequent, this is the sign that you should consult the doctor. Consult the pediatrician, if he is satisfied with your child’s growth and weight gain, there is nothing to worry as spitting up is very common in infants.

Talking more about gastroesophageal reflux, it can be the result of an immature digestive system or the poor closure of the valve. The spitting could mostly occur during or after a meal. However, if the baby is not showing any significant discomfort and is gaining appropriate weight, it is a sign that your baby is a healthy and normal infant.

When Not to Worry?

• Baby does not have abdominal pain
• Baby is gaining weight appropriately
• The spitting up is less in frequency and volume
• Baby is acting well
• The spit-up doesn’t always shoot out a couple of feet

When to Call the Doctor?

If your infant is spitting up milk with a burp and even if it occurs after every feeding, it is not usually a problem. But, vomiting is different and your baby is vomiting repeatedly or for longer than 24 hours. It could be a sign of illness or infection.

Some of the signs that you should call your baby’s doctor:

• The baby is showing signs of dehydration
• Baby is spitting up too much or too often
• The baby appears to be in pain
• The baby is losing weight

If you see anything unusual with the baby’s health condition, it is suggested to consult your doctor.

HELP! My Baby Spits up Clear Liquid : Could it be Reflux?

Spit ups are common among newborn. Read on to learn why your baby spits up clear liquid and what you can do.

Worries come naturally to you when you are a first-time parent. Every little thing that newborns do differently makes you question their actions. From their every whine to sleeping longer than usual seems like a ‘red alert’.

And when it comes to newborns spitting up after breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, it is definitely a cause of concern for new parents. But take solace in knowing that spitting up is common in newborns and usually, it is nothing to worry about. But frequent and persistent spitting up, along with poor weight gain can be a sign of acid reflux in babies.

Let’s look at why the baby spits up clear liquid and what you can do to help your baby.  

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an affiliate and amazon associate, I earn commission on the qualified purchase at no extra cost to you.

My Baby Spits up Clear Liquid..should I worry about it?

Nearly 40% of normal, healthy babies spit up after feeding. Spitting up clear liquid is often due to saliva, formula, breastmilk, or a combination of all three. Spit up, also called gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or physiological reflux, is common in babies, occurs throughout the day in infants.

My son was a big spitter. He was exclusively breastfed, and he would spit up clear liquid after every feed. I was worried and convinced that he was starving since he was spiting after every single feed. Despite all the spit up, he was never fussy and was gaining weight. My pediatrician reassured me that he is healthy and spitting up due to GER.

Babies often spit up when they are overfed or get too much milk too fast. This may happen when the mom’s breasts are too full or the baby feeds aggressively.

If the baby is pulling off the breast or fussy at the breast, she may swallow air and spit up more often. Some babies spit up more when they are teething or starting solid foods.

If you are worried about the quantity of spit up then you shouldn’t. It may look like a lot and makes you wonder if the baby getting enough milk or tempts you to feed again. You might be surprised to know that, most spit up is only a teaspoon of liquid, according to our pediatrician.

To put my mind to ease, our pediatrician also suggested trying a simple experiment: Pour a tablespoon of liquid on the floor and compare the spit ups. You will notice that the liquid on the floor is larger.

Baby spit up usually drools or spurt out of their mouth. Occasionally, the baby spits up forcefully or projectile. Frequent spitting up or vomitingwithout any other condition – is called acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is mostly due to the anatomy of the digestive tract in infants.

If the baby is a ‘Happy Spitter’ (without discomfort, content, and gaining weight), then spitting up is a laundry and social problem rather than a medical issue.

Why is baby Spitting up Clear Liquid?

Wondering, why some baby spits up clear liquid and do it frequently? Most babies have some level of reflux during the first year of their life.

The most common causes for baby to spit up clear liquids are,

Immature Digestive System

Babies spit up because…they are just being a baby. The lower esophageal sphincter muscle that separates the esophagus and stomach is underdeveloped in babies. Which allows the content of the stomach to wash back into the baby’s food pipe – esophagus and sometimes throat- causing spit-up.

Breastmilk oversupply or fast letdown

Sometimes, mama’s breasts are too full and it’s hard for the baby to keep it up with milk flow. It can cause the baby to take in excess air while swallowing all that milk. Overactive letdown can also cause the baby to take in air while feeding. It can be easily remedied by pumping out some milk before feeding or trying different breastfeeding positions. If you are bottle-feeding, make sure you have a slow flow nipple and try paced bottle feeding.

Improper Latch

Improper latch while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding can also cause the baby to take in an excessive amount of air. Ensuring proper latch while feeding may help with spit up and also save you from clogged milk ducts and other discomforts while breastfeeding.

Food sensitivities

Sensitivities to food or milk can also lead to excessive spitting in babies. Look out for allergies to cow’s milk or something in mom’s diet (if you are breastfeeding).

Burping

You may also notice clear liquid coming out of the baby’s mouth when they burp. It is called a wet burp. This is again due to an immature digestive system backing up liquids from the stomach.

Tight Diaper

The wrong size of diapers could cause spit-up in babies. Too tight diapers around the abdomen can put pressure and cause the baby to spit up clear fluid.

GERD

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease can also cause the baby to spit up clear liquid. This is more serious than physiological reflux.

As mentioned earlier, reflux in babies is due to a poorly coordinated digestive system. Anything that causes the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, can cause GERD. Reflux (spit-up) becomes GERD or Acid reflux when acid in the reflux irritates or injures the esophagus. Remember that GERD is not as common as reflux. Approximately one in 300 infants show abnormal signs and symptoms of GERD.

Many infants with GERD are healthy. However, some infants can have problems affecting their nerves, brain, or muscles. Most infants grow out of the condition by their first birthday. Read on to learn the difference between spit-up and GERD below.

Pyloric Stenosis

Pyloric stenosis is a condition where a baby’s thickened and narrow pyloric sphincter muscle restricts food in the stomach from entering the small intestine. To empty stomach, it contracts and causes the liquid to come back up as a clear liquid or curdled milk. This stomach contraction causes the liquid to come out forcefully, often referred to as projectile vomiting.

Pyloric Stenosis is a serious condition, and it requires immediate medical attention.

How do you know if your Baby has Reflux (Spit-up) or GERD/Acid reflux?

Symptoms may vary, here are some common ones to look out for. Diagnosis of GERD may require doctor’s intervention.

Natural Remedies for Baby Spitting up Clear Liquid

Natural remedies for spit up are not aimed at curing the condition but to help baby feel better until she outgrows it.

Breastfeeding Frequently

Aim for frequent breastfeeding, rather than larger, less frequent feedings. These smaller, less frequent feeding can be easier to digest. If you are formula feeding or baby on solid, feed smaller quantities more often.

Try feeding baby in an upright position – called the koala or upright football hold while feeding. This position ensures that milk goes into the stomach rather than staying up in the esophagus reducing spit-up. A Boppy pillow can help position the baby upright after meals.

Try lots of skin to skin contact or breastfeed in motion if the baby is fussy and refuses to feed.

Don’t switch breasts often when the baby is actively sucking. Switching sides too often can cause excessive spitting up.

Allow baby comfort sucking at the breast or offer pacifier after feeding since it reduces irritation and speeds gastric emptying.

Hold baby upright after feeding

Hold baby upright for a minimum of 30 min after feeding. You can babywear in an infant carrier or sling to make things easy. You can walk around the house or have the dad walk around the house with the baby after feeding. After feeding, if the baby needs to go to sleep make sure they sleep elevated to reduce acid reflux in the baby.

Don’t forget to Burp!!

Make sure to burp the baby frequently after each feeding. My grandmother suggested burping the baby at least 2 times after feeding. I know that sounds crazy (I thought so too!!) but worked for my son. He was less gassy and reduced spit ups.

If your baby seems fussy at feeding, stop and burp your baby and then begin feeding again. Try burping baby every 5 min if you are breastfeeding or early ounce if you are bottle feeding.

Avoid compressing the baby’s stomach while burping as it can increase reflux. Try another position of burping such as—support the baby’s chest and head with one hand by gently holding your baby’s chin in your palm (not throat). Use your other hand to pat your baby’s back.

Check out this video to learn about burping method.

Sleeping position

If the baby is uncomfortable laying on his back, swaddle her and put her in a rocker/sleeper. Several research studies have compared various positions to determine which works best for babies with reflux. Studies have shown that lying baby on the left and baby on his tummy helped reduce reflux significantly. These should ONLY be done when the baby is awake under continuous monitoring. These positions should be avoided during sleep due to the increased SIDS risk.

Recommended Reading : How to Prevent Newborn Breaking Out of Swaddle?

Loose clothing

Dress baby in loose clothing with loose diaper waistbands. While changing a diaper, roll baby on his side rather than lifting legs toward tummy..

Probiotics

Probiotics can boost the health of the gut thereby improves digestion. Including me, some mothers have seen improvement in acid reflux symptoms after feeding probiotic supplements (L.reuteri) to their babies. Research study has shown that giving infants a probiotic during first three months of their lives can improve colic, acid reflux symptoms, and constipation (source).

Switch Formula

Try switching formula if you are formula feeding your baby. Try cow milk-free formula or ask your doctor for a better option.

Homeopathic remedy

Aethusa cynapium is an herb used in homeopathy to treat the digestive issue. Aethusa is especially beneficial for infants who have a problem in digesting milk resulting in spit ups or vomiting.

I have used Aethusa 200x for acid reflux in my 2 months old son. I was a little hesitant to give my 2-month-old baby anything that is not breastmilk, but I am glad that I chose with the doctor’s permission.

He was much better in the 4th month, stopped spitting up or showing any other symptoms of acid reflux. I gave him five globules dissolved in 1 tsp of breastmilk three times a day for 5 days.

Some moms have also benefited from the use of Nat Phos a natural cell salt for acid reflux in their babies. Nat Phos 6X is a natural cell salt that aids with digestion. Some babies don’t make enough of it. Consult your doctor before administering homeopathic remedies to your infant. Dissolve ½ tablet in breastmilk (1 tsp) or formula and give it to a baby with a syringe.

Some moms also tried Gripe water or Colic calm successfully for baby reflux. Although it did not work for my son’s reflux.

Is there any Medication for Baby Spitting up clear Liquid?

There are no medications if your baby is normal other than spitting up clear liquid. However, the pediatrician may prescribe medication to help reduce stomach acids in case the baby is diagnosed with GERD.

Doctor may recommend

• Proton pump inhibitor such as Prilosec
• Histamine-2 blocker such as Zantac, Pepcid
• Antacids such as Mylanta

Keep in mind that they can occasionally cause side effects such as an increased risk of intestinal and respiratory infections. These medications should only be used under doctor’s supervision in babies with GERD.

Does Thickening Formula help Spitting-up clear Liquid?

Baby cereal mixed with breastmilk or formula has been used to treat reflux in babies. Thickening feeds may help food to stay down in the stomach but it is not a good idea for several reasons.

Thickened formula or breast milk may reduce spitting up, but silent reflux is still present in babies. It may cause increased coughing after feeding and decreased gastric emptying time as the baby’s digestive system is not ready for solids.

Your baby may take in less milk overall-decrease in nutrient intake– if you are thickening feeds. Early introduction of solids before 3 months increases the baby’s risk for allergies, respiratory infections, type 1 diabetes.

The early introduction of solids also affects the breastfeeding relationship and is associated with early weaning.

How long does Spit-up in babies last?

Babies usually start spitting up clear liquid between weeks 2 and 4. They peak around 2-4 months of age and begin to subside around 6-7 months when the baby begins to sit upright. And usually resolves by 12 months of age.

What does it mean when a Baby Spits Up Curdled Milk?

Baby spits up curdled milk when milk from breastfeeding or formula sits in the stomach for a little bit and mixes with stomach juices. Immediate baby spits up after feeding is usually a clear liquid but as time passes, spits up look like curdled milk.  

Baby Spits-up Clear Liquid I Conclusion

It may be exhausting to deal with baby spitting up clear liquid but remember that they do outgrow it at some point. As always, watch your baby, take a note of what bothers your baby and what works best to ease the reflux in babies.

Did your baby spit-up clear liquid? What remedy worked for you? Leave your comment below.

References
Behrman RE, Kliegman R, Jenso HB, eds. Nelson Textbook of pediatrics. 16th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 2000:1125–6.

Carroll AE, Garrison MM, Christakis DA. A systematic review of non pharmacological and nonsurgical therapies for gastroesophageal reflux in infants. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2002;156:109-13

Corvaglia L, Rotatori R, Ferlini M, et al. The effect of body positioning on gastroesophageal reflux in premature infants: evaluation by combined impedance and pH monitoring. J Pediatr 2007;151:591-6
Image Credit – Photo by Hollie Santos on Unsplash

90,000 Why does the baby spit up curdled milk? Is it okay?

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

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

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

Causes of the phenomenon

1. Overeating. If there is a lot of food, the body returns it back. It is especially important for babies – children on artificial feeding usually have a strict regimen and always the exact amount of the mixture. It happens that the nutritional value of mother’s milk is not enough, the child tries to eat more, and the stomach cannot cope with such volumes.
2. Excessive air trapped due to improper attachment to the breast or too large (or too small) hole in the nipple of the bottle.Air is also swallowed when the baby twirls or cries.
3. Immaturity of the sphincter, a muscle located between the esophagus and stomach that prevents food from returning to the esophagus. Risk group: premature babies or babies with low birth weight.
4. Dysbacteriosis when the mother does not follow the diet.
5. Poor mixture composition. The crumb can react this way to certain allergenic components.

Regurgitation or vomiting – what’s the difference?

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

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

Spitting up milk with a sour odor

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

Regurgitation an hour after eating

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

Why does a child vomit like a fountain?

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

When to see a pediatrician or gastroenterologist?

• The mass has a strange odor, is brown or dark in color (a sign of intestinal irritation).
• The baby spits up after almost every feeding and a lot – from a few spoons to the full amount of food taken. There is vomiting with a fountain.
• When spitting up, the baby begins to suffer from colic, he cries and bends in an arc.
• Crumb sharply loses ve from , becomes restless or lethargic. It is imperative to call an ambulance if the skin color changes during regurgitation – it acquires a bluish tint.
• Regurgitation occurs in a child over 6 months of age.
• The phenomenon is accompanied by fever, dehydration is observed, or immediately after milk rejection, the baby begins to feel hungry.

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

Doctor Komarovsky on the mode of feeding a newborn

What should parents do?

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

Then everything needs to be wiped off, and so that the sour taste does not torment the baby, it is better to rinse his mouth with a cotton swab dipped in warm boiled water.

Prevention of the phenomenon

Before feeding, let the baby lie on his tummy for a couple of minutes . This is both a charge, and help with colic, and an opportunity for excess air to escape. It is also worth monitoring the position of the head and the nipple grip.

If it is difficult to support the baby while feeding, try using a special pillow – these are sold in all stores, but they are easy to sew with your own hands. When the baby is full, take it in a “column” and wear it for 15-20 minutes.Air trapped while feeding will come out as a belch.

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

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

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90,000 BABY SPITCHING CLEAR LIQUID? REASONS AND WHEN TO CALL A DOCTOR – HEALTH

I bet you never thought you’d be looking for why your child is spitting up clear fluid when you signed up for parenting rights. Yes, this is another unexpected stop at your

Contents:

I bet you never thought you’d be looking for why your baby is spitting up clear fluid when you signed up for parenting rights.

Yes, this is another unexpected stop on your parenting journey: babies can sometimes regurgitate clear liquid instead of curdled milk or formula.

But don’t worry, the reasons are usually temporary and not worrying.

Why is your child spitting up clear liquid?

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

Spits up

Babies up to a year spit up – for some it is often and a lot. Usually, regurgitation is just an integral part of their maturing digestive system.

Your child can show you the kindness of burping before he burps. So listen and get ready with a rag in your hand.

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

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

vomiting

Your child has a lot to learn. This includes learning not to swallow milk too quickly, not eat more than your tummy can hold in one sitting, and learn to digest food.

During the first months while they are still learning, your child may vomit. Here’s how you can tell the difference between vomiting and spitting up:

• Vomiting vomits when the muscles around your abdomen contract forcefully to push out the contents.
• Some clear stomach acid is likely to be mixed into the vomit. It can also look like curdled milk or miniature curd lumps.

Unless vomiting occurs frequently or is not accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, it may only be part of the learning process. Yes, you will get used to this part of parenting too.

Teething

Your baby is likely to have their first teeth erupted between 4 and 7 months of age. While this milestone is cause for celebration, it can be painful.Teething can sometimes cause discomfort and even pain.

Leaking a lot of clear saliva is a way to cope with the situation. Sometimes they may even regurgitate excess saliva.

You can relieve your child’s discomfort by rubbing sore gums with your finger or by giving them a cool teething ring. You can also use bibs to collect excess saliva dripping from your chin.

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

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

Illness

Infants and children get sick more often than adults because they develop the immune system. From about 6 months old, when the immunity you gave your baby starts to fade, your baby will have to start building up his own immune system.

Attention! This developing immune system means your child might start catching a cold.Since your child has not yet learned how to blow their nose or cough up mucus, they will swallow a lot of mucus, which can cause vomiting. This mucus can be clear or cloudy when vomited.

If your child is vomiting, fever, and diarrhea, you may notice that the vomiting is clear. This happens when there is nothing left in the stomach to cause vomiting other than pure gastric secretions.

If your child develops these symptoms, talk to your pediatrician to make sure he or she is getting proper care.

A temperature of 100.4 ° F (38 ° C) or higher in a baby under 2 or 3 months of age also requires medical attention. You should also call your doctor if your older child is 3 to 6 months old with a fever of 101 ° F (38.3 ° C) or higher.

Regardless of age, a temperature persisting for more than 5 days requires a visit to a doctor and, probably, a visit.

reflux

Your doctor will call this gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Reflux happens when your baby regurgitates food from the stomach.More than two-thirds of babies have reflux, which causes them to regurgitate several times a day.

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

In rare cases, GER can signal something more serious, such as allergies, a blockage of the digestive system, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Yes, that D matters a lot.

With GERD, your child may vomit, refuse to eat, lose weight, and tell you that he is unhappy by crying. Your doctor may advise you to feed your baby in small portions more often and change formula or skip dairy products if you are breastfeeding. Sometimes medication or surgery is required.

Pyloric stenosis

This rare condition is named for the pyloric sphincter, which is located at the exit of the stomach and affects 90,012 significantly fewer than 1 percent of 90,013 US babies (more boys than girls).

Babies with this condition have a thickened and narrowed pyloric sphincter (stenosis). The narrowed pyloric canal restricts the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine.

The stomach reacts by contracting vigorously to push the food through, but because the channel is so narrow, the food is pulled out with tremendous force. This projectile vomit can reach several feet!

You will see a clear liquid or yogurt. As the channel narrows more and more, projectile vomiting becomes more frequent.Despite vomiting, your baby still feels hungry and wants to eat again … and again.

If your baby is affected, you will start to notice this type of vomiting at 2–3 weeks of age, but it can start as early as 6 weeks. Without nutrition, your child can become dehydrated, weak, and lose weight.

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

Should my child be given water to help?

When they spit up a lot of clear liquid, you might think your baby needs water to stay hydrated. However, water should not be given to children under 6 months of age.

Drinking plenty of water every day may be good for you, but definitely bad for your baby. This is because babies have tiny tummies (about the size of a walnut in their first week) and their kidneys are still developing.

If you fill your baby’s tummy with water, his hunger mechanism will dull and he may not get the nutrients they need.In addition, if your child consumes too much water, there is a risk of water poisoning.

Sounds unlikely? Not really considering the size of that tiny tummy. Too much water will lower the concentration of electrolytes, such as sodium, in the blood. So keep water until your baby is 6 months old and stick to formula or breast milk.

When should you see a doctor?

Your healthcare team will help you deal with problems as your child grows.Feel free to contact them to discuss any questions.

Although most of a regurgitation disorder can be easily resolved (with a rag and some patience), if you see your child has a fever, seems lethargic, dehydrated, or is not gaining weight, see your doctor.

takeaway

When you wipe off your next spanking, you might be tempted to throw that towel away. But wait … one day your child’s digestive system will run smoothly and you two will be ready to move on to the next phase of parenting.

90,000 Regurgitation in newborns. When is a doctor needed?

Regurgitation – passive throwing of small amounts of food from the stomach into the esophagus, into the pharynx and the oral cavity in combination with the release of air, observed mainly in infants directly or shortly after feeding with undiluted or partially curdled milk. These phenomena can occur in perfectly healthy children (but not often, and the volume of the regurgitated contents is small – up to 3 ml).According to statistics, up to 67% of children at the age of 4 months regurgitate at least once a day, in 23% of cases of regurgitation are considered by parents as a reason for “concern”. In most cases, regurgitation can go away on its own within the first year of life, but in some cases, serious therapy may be required. In addition, against the background of long-term regurgitation, secondary disorders can form, primarily inflammatory changes in the esophagus. Therefore, it is always advisable to clarify the cause of regurgitation.

Features of the child’s body

Anatomical and physiological features of the structure of the upper digestive tract in newborns (spherical shape of the stomach and its small volume, delayed emptying, relative weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) – a circular muscle that closes after the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach, and does not allow gastric contents to be thrown back into the esophagus, immaturity of regulation of the system of food advancement through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), immaturity of enzymes) predispose to the development of regurgitation.In newborns, sucking movements occur in short series of 3-5 sucking, creating negative pressure in the oral cavity, and contractions of the esophagus (peristaltic wave) during swallowing appear inconsistently: either before sucking, then after it, and is often incomplete along its length. At the same time, in newborns, in response to a peristaltic wave, a sharp contraction of the fundus of the stomach is observed, which leads to an increase in intragastric pressure and may cause a reverse reflux of food and air into the esophagus and the occurrence of regurgitation.In addition, due to the fact that during the act of sucking a certain amount of air enters the stomach, the baby has a feeling of false saturation and he stops sucking. If this situation is repeated often, it can lead to malnutrition and developmental delay child .

Causes of regurgitation

Regurgitation often occurs in children with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), and in premature babies .Along with the expressed above anatomical and functional features of the gastrointestinal tract, there is also a slow formation (maturation) of the process of coordinated sucking, swallowing and breathing – it lasts about 6-8 weeks. The intensity of regurgitation may vary. However, as the organism matures, regurgitation disappears. The cause of regurgitation can be overfeeding (an increase in the frequency or volume of feeding), especially in actively sucking newborns with a sufficient amount of milk from the mother.With artificial or mixed feeding (breastfeeding + supplementary feeding with a mixture), overfeeding is possible due to a change in the nature of the diet (replacement of breast milk with an artificial mixture or frequent unmotivated replacement of one adapted mixture with another). Regurgitation during overfeeding occurs immediately or shortly after feeding with undiluted or partially curdled milk, in an amount of 5-10 ml. The general condition, behavior of the baby does not suffer in any way, there is a good appetite, normal stool, normal weight gain. Aerophagia (swallowing a large amount of air at the time of feeding) happens: in excitable, greedily sucking babies from 2-3 weeks of life in the absence or small amount of milk from the mother; when child does not capture the areola pigmentation with the nipple or incorrectly captures with a flat, inverted nipple in the mother; with a large hole in the nipple of the bottle, horizontal position of the bottle, when the nipple is not completely filled with milk; with general muscle weakness due to the immaturity of the body.More often, aerophagia develops in newborns with low or very high birth weight. Children with aerophagia are often restless after feeding, and there is a bulging of the anterior abdominal wall in the stomach. 5-10 minutes after feeding, regurgitation of unchanged milk is observed with a loud sound of exhaust air. Regurgitation in a newborn can occur with flatulence (bloating), intestinal colic (painful intestinal spasms), constipation .This increases the pressure in the abdominal cavity, disrupts the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract. The intensity of regurgitation is also possible different. Malformations of the gastrointestinal tract can also lead to regurgitation and vomiting, for example, anomalies of the esophagus ( chalasia – weakness (insufficiency) of the lower esophageal sphincter; achalasia – narrowing at the junction of the esophagus into the stomach), stomach anomaly ( pyloric stenosis – narrowing at the junction of the stomach into the duodenum, which prevents gastric emptying), anomaly of the diaphragm ( diaphragmatic hernia – movement of part of the abdominal organs into the chest cavity), etc.Fortunately, in most babies, regurgitation is a non-pathological condition that spontaneously resolves by 12-18 months of age. The intensity of regurgitation can be roughly estimated on a five-point scale (tab. 1). Intensive regurgitation, with a large volume, after each feeding, causing anxiety to child , leading to a decrease in body weight, require a visit to a doctor and a thorough examination of child to exclude congenital pathology. Table 1

Evaluation of the intensity of regurgitation

* Regurgitation with an intensity of 3 points and above also always requires a visit to a doctor.

What to do?

To search for the cause of regurgitation and provide assistance to , child should contact a pediatrician, it is possible that baby may need to consult a pediatric surgeon if a congenital pathology is detected or if there is no effect of drug treatment and surgery. In other cases, the need for treatment is determined by the condition of child and his weight gain. The question of where to conduct the examination, in a polyclinic or in a hospital, is decided individually, depending on the severity of the process, the age of child and the capabilities of the diagnostic institution.From instrumental methods, X-ray examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach) using a contrast agent and esophagogastroscopy (examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract using an optical device that looks like a rubber hose with a miniature video camera at one end) can be performed.

Treatment

In accordance with the recommendations of the working group of the European Society of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, the treatment of regurgitation is carried out in several successive stages: treatment by position, medical nutrition, drug therapy; surgical methods of treatment. Treatment by position. When feeding to a regurgitating baby , it is important to create a position in which the upper body is raised at an angle of 45-60є to the horizontal plane. For example, you can put your baby on a large, not very soft pillow. After feeding, it is important to keep baby upright for at least 20-30 minutes to ensure that swallowed air can escape. Tight swaddling is not recommended, the abdominal area should not be squeezed, instead of elastic-band sliders, it is better to use sliders, crumbs fastened on shoulders or overalls. child should sleep on a small pillow made of 1-2 folded diapers, or the legs of the head of the bed should be raised by 5-10 cm.When sleeping, in order to reduce the intensity of gastric contents in the esophagus, it is preferable to lay child on his stomach or right side. The organization therapeutic nutrition includes, first of all, more frequent feedings of child with smaller than usual portions. At the same time, the daily amount of food should not decrease.The number of feedings can be increased by 1-2 over the norm. The second component is the use of medicinal mixtures. Medicinal products that prevent regurgitation (regurgitation) are labeled with the letters AR (Antiregurgitation). The protein composition of such a mixture is of great importance, namely, the ratio of whey proteins to casein (complex milk protein). In breast milk, this ratio is 60-70: 40-30, in cow’s milk – 20:80, in most adapted milk formulas – 60:40.Increasing the proportion of casein in the diet prevents regurgitation, because this protein is easily curdled in the stomach under the influence of hydrochloric acid, forming first flakes, then a thick mass that prevents regurgitation. Another approach is to add a thickener to the mixture. As such, rice, corn or potato starch can be used, as well as gum – gluten from the seeds of the carob tree, which grows in the Mediterranean countries. The gum thickens under the action of the acidic contents of the stomach, but unlike starch and casein flakes, it is not digested by the enzymes of the gastrointestinal tract.As a result, the thick consistency of the gastric and, subsequently, intestinal contents is maintained for a longer time. In addition, the gum stimulates peristalsis, promoting faster movement of food from the stomach to the intestines. Table 2

Specialized milk formulas that prevent regurgitation

When breastfeeding, medicated mixtures can be added to the baby’s diet before breastfeeding.In the absence of an effect from the above measures, the issue of drug treatment should be resolved. It includes the appointment of prokinetics – drugs that improve the contractile function of the intestine. For this purpose MOTILIUM, COORDINAX is used. To eliminate regurgitation and intestinal spasms, the antispasmodic drug RIABAL can be used. Surgical treatment is performed for severe congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract (for example, pyloric stenosis – narrowing at the junction of the stomach into the duodenum, which prevents gastric emptying, etc.)), which caused regurgitation.

Prevention

Regurgitation prevention is a complex and multifaceted problem. A favorable pregnancy and childbirth, a friendly, calm atmosphere in the house – all this reduces the risk of regurgitation, as well as many other diseases and pathological conditions in child in the first year of life. If the baby is breastfed, make sure that during feeding the baby captures both the nipple and the areola, then the likelihood that the baby will swallow air will be less.If you are bottle feeding your baby, make sure that the nipple is completely filled with milk and there is no air in it. The hole in the nipple should not be large. You can feed your baby intermittently, for example for five minutes, then turn him to face you and hold him upright. Continue feeding after a few minutes. After feeding, press the baby with the tummy towards you and hold it in an upright position for 15-20 minutes to let the air escape. Before each feeding, place baby on his stomach, stroke the tummy around the navel with the palm of your hand clockwise, all this makes it easier to pass gas and reduces the likelihood of regurgitation after eating.Timely cleanse the baby’s nasal cavity from mucus and crusts, then, when feeding, he will not experience difficulties with nasal breathing and a lot of air will not get into the stomach. From the same position, it is important to ensure that when feeding , child does not rest his nose on the chest. It is also necessary to remember about the pathological effect of secondhand smoke on the muscle tone of the esophagus and stomach in breast child . Smoking in the immediate environment of the baby is strictly prohibited.

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BIRTH INJURY
I will not now talk about the dire consequences that honey intervention can cause.workers in the generic process. Gross violations are visible immediately and the diagnosis is made in the first months after the birth of the child.

But what about those children who were discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of “healthy”? And after returning home, Mom is faced with such problems as:
Tearful crying
Restless sleep
🔻 # flinching
🔻 breastfeeding
🔻 # hypertonicity
🔻 # regurgitation
🔻 # constipation ….
Or with the long-term consequences of a birth injury:
🔻 #chronic fatigue
🔻 pressure drops
🔻 # headaches
Nervous system disorders
🔻 back pain
🔻 # face asymmetry
🔻 # scoliotic disorders # posture
🔻 # hyperactivity
🔻 intracranial pressure….

During natural childbirth, the baby’s head in the birth canal is gently compressed due to the soft movable bones, after which it regains its correct shape.
But with such obstetric manipulations as:
🔻 application of obstetric instruments (# forceps, # vacuum, # extrusion technique)
🔻 connection of medications (#rhodostimulants, #anesthetics, #sleeping pills)
Holding a woman in an inappropriate pulling position
🔻operation #cesarean section

the bones move abnormally, disrupting # the blood supply to the brain, and a millimeter deviation is sufficient.Over time and the growth of the child, the entire # nervous system adapts to this trauma, adjusting to it. As a result, we get various violations.

And while neurologists, epileptologists, traumatologists, orthopedists, ophthalmologists and other specialists ignore violations, diagnose and prescribe treatment “by eye” and according to the protocol, contradict each other, relieve symptoms with medication and throw up their hands, doctors of osteopathy recommend addressing the root cause, namely – to birth trauma of a newborn.
And, of course, the sooner measures are taken, the faster and more effective the treatment will be.Health to everyone❤️ and in Stories today I will tell you again about the story from the reception, which prompted me to write this post.
#kinesiology
#appliedkinesiology
# birth trauma # child health # children health # kinesiologist nizhnevartovsk # returning health

90,000 GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX: FROM NORMAL TO PATHOLOGY

If your child often suffers from acute respiratory diseases, it may be time for you, do not be surprised, to see a gastroenterologist.Today we will talk about gastroesophageal reflux (GER) with Ph.D., head of the pediatric department of the Consultative and Diagnostic Center of the Children’s Hospital No. 9 named after G.N. Speransky by Elena Vladislavovna Vigurzhinskaya, who will tell you why it is impossible to give a child kefir at night, what children with GERD need to be treated by a neurologist.

Gastroesophageal reflux or GER is the reflux of contents from the stomach into the esophagus. Curious fact: Symptoms of reflux in children under 7 years of age are associated with the structural features of the upper gastrointestinal tract and the immaturity of the sphincter apparatus of the digestive system. Please note: Reflux in children under one year old is a regurgitation syndrome. Spitting up to a tablespoon after each feed is a normal option. If the baby spits up in a larger volume, sometimes not immediately after feeding, and at the same time begins to gain weight poorly, then in this case correction is already required – for this there are medicinal, antireflux mixtures (if the child is artificially fed). Important: The first months of a breastfed baby’s life, the mother needs to follow a strict hypoallergenic diet with the restriction of dairy, sugary foods and foods that increase gas formation: legumes, yeast bread, pastry, grapes, mushrooms, etc.With increased gas production, reflux in babies intensifies and frequent regurgitation occurs.

– In some children, over time, reflux acquires a pathological course and triggers a cascade of many other problems, including the child suffers from frequent viral infections, ENT diseases – explains Elena Vladislavovna Vigurzhinskaya . – This happens because when the gastric contents (gastric secretion or food lump are thrown into the esophagus and, possibly, into the oropharynx), the pH changes, the flora of the oral cavity is disturbed and local immunity decreases, and the child falls into the so-called “frequently ill children” group.In older children, GER is clinically manifested in the form of heartburn, belching (air and food). Parents can also smell bad breath.

Important: Plaque on the teeth, geographical tongue, bad breath, frequent ENT pathologies, cereals and obstructive bronchitis are a serious reason to seek advice from a gastroenterologist!

Interesting fact: In impulsive and emotional children, GER may be more pronounced. In this case, the child will fall into the hands of not only a gastroenterologist, but also a neurologist.

Factors contributing to the development of GER : anatomical features of the structure of the upper gastrointestinal tract in young children, morpho-functional immaturity of the sphincter apparatus, hereditary predisposition, stressful situations, great physical and psychological stress, violation of the daily routine, unhealthy diet.

“If you undergo treatment, adjust nutrition and adjust the daily routine, you can get rid of GER,” says the head of the pediatric department.- Do not give your child acidic foods at night. Earlier, children were advised to go to bed with kefir, but this dairy product acidifies the stomach and acts aggressively. In case of reflux, we do not recommend acidic foods (especially before bedtime) – yogurt, kefir, as well as juices, sour berries and fruits. You can drink fermented baked milk or eat neutral yogurt at an afternoon snack. But in general, I recommend limiting acidic foods, including fermented milk.

How is GER detected? The specialist individually decides which study to assign.First of all, the collection of anamnesis: the doctor asks the parents about the child’s complaints. Then, an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity is prescribed (strictly on an empty stomach, do not brush your teeth) with a water-siphon test. Fibrogastroduodenoscopy and barium chest x-rays may be prescribed.

Treatment of GER: Gastroenterologists prescribe prokinetics, antacids, proton pump inhibitors (drugs that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid by stomach cells)

. Important: Gastroesophageal reflux can be a symptom of H. pylori infection. Therefore, first of all, you need to identify and remove the bacteria. Another possible cause of reflux is gastrointestinal food allergy. Keeping a food diary will help parents understand what kind of “inedible” product the child’s stomach is trying to get rid of.

What happens if GER is not treated? The development of a chronic condition is possible, which can lead to inflammation, erosion and even ulcers in the esophagus, replacement of normal cells in the esophagus with pathological ones.

– I repeat that a diet and a healthy daily routine must be maintained for life, says the gastroenterologist. – The child needs fractional nutrition. You can not overeat, eat dry water, drink food best of all with water, weak tea, compote (pear, apple). It is also not recommended to go to bed on a full stomach. Chocolate and rolls, alas, are prohibited.

Medical Center “Quantum Satis” – Baby development from 0 to 3 months

But … as soon as everything happened, many feel confused and do not know what to do, calling for help from grandmothers, aunts and other acquaintances.

Do not be afraid! Let’s look at this situation from a different angle. After all, nothing terrible happened – a small, still helpless and demanding attention man was born. He expresses his needs by crying and crying. Yes – this is his “colloquial” speech that mom needs to learn to understand.

What does a baby need at this early age? Eat on time, sleep so that the “pants” are clean, well, take a walk in the fresh air, take water procedures. Naturally, he cannot do all this himself – this is why a sweet, dear, self-confident mother is constantly needed nearby!

1 – 3 months: wonderful and difficult time of infancy.

Perhaps the best way to start a conversation about caring for a newborn is how to feed him and what breastfeeding is. But, of course, in addition to feeding, you need to know how to change the diaper correctly, how the baby develops in the first three months, about the first visit to the doctor and how to protect your treasure from infectious diseases.

All About Breastfeeding

Breast milk is the best food for a newborn! Its composition is unique and constantly changing, which is why it is best suited for the digestive system of a newborn.It protects the baby from illness and lays the foundation for his health for life. Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from rickets, anemia, dysbiosis, pneumonia, acute respiratory and other infectious diseases. They are less likely to suffer from allergies, diarrhea, ear pain, they have a stronger immune (defense) system of the body.

The process of forming breast milk is exclusively self-regulating: how much your baby has eaten, so much milk will be produced by you for the next feeding.

Therefore, in the first days after birth, it is very important to breastfeed the baby correctly, sucking will stimulate milk production, and colostrum, which is released in the first two to three days, is very rich in antibodies necessary for the baby to protect against diseases.

Night feeds are also very important, as the production of hormones responsible for the amount of breast milk peaks between three and five o’clock in the morning.

Several rules for successful breastfeeding

• No nerves.The baby feels your condition very well, and will also be nervous, which means that it is bad to suck.
• In the first days after childbirth (until the milk comes), the mother should not drink a lot of fluids. Otherwise, too much milk flow may occur.
• Make sure that the entire brown part of the nipple (areola) is covered by the baby’s mouth, unless it is too large.
• So that his spout is not pinched during feeding.
• Be sure to feed your baby at night for milk production.
• Do whatever it takes to make feeding fun for both of you. It is at these moments that the “child – mother” connection is formed, which is so necessary for the baby and gives him a sense of security.
• Alternate breasts on successive feeds and even during one feed.
• Avoid feeding your baby with artificial milk until a stable breastfeeding regime is established – the baby quickly becomes accustomed to the bottle, from which fluid flows without any effort, and may reject the breast.

Do not forget that during this period you must eat well and properly.

Expression

Considering that the process of formation of breast milk is self-regulating, a woman does not need to express herself in order to avoid breast overflow and milk stagnation.

However, in some cases, pumping is necessary: ​​

– for feeding a premature or sick child in a hospital who, for health reasons, is not recommended to receive mother’s milk directly from the breast, since the baby spends more energy than in the process of absorbing milk from the bottle, and the baby will need strength to recover;

– for the relief of heavily filled breasts;

– to maintain milk production during the mother’s illness, if she is “separated” from the child;

– to stimulate the production of more milk when it is not enough;

– for feeding the baby when the mother is away from home.

Do’s and don’ts for a nursing mother to avoid increased gas production in a child

So which foods should be treated with caution?

Food should be tasty and varied. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid hot seasonings, excessive use of spices, the use of large amounts of garlic and onions, which give an unpleasant taste and smell to milk. Abuse of such foods as cucumbers, plums, apricots, dried apricots, figs, prunes, can cause dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract in a child.Grapes, cabbage, beans, peas, mushrooms can cause a child to develop gas, or flatulence, and stomach cramps.

Disturbances in the nutrition of nursing mothers can lead to other deviations in the health of the child. So, when using chocolate, chocolates, citrus fruits, an excessive amount of nuts, honey, tomatoes, pumpkin, strawberries, strawberries, eggs, fish, caviar, shrimp (i.e., the so-called obligate allergens) in the diet of a nursing mother, a child may develop food allergies in the form of skin rashes and dyspepsia.

What products are recommended for nursing mothers?

Of the products containing proteins, cottage cheese and curd products, milk, mild varieties of cheese, kefir, fermented baked milk, acidophilus and yogurt, boiled meat (low-fat varieties), poultry, fish are recommended. It is necessary to eat vegetable and animal oils as a source of essential fatty acids. For this, the best suited “salad”, corn, olive oil in the amount of 25-30 grams per day. The need for carbohydrates is met by foods such as wholemeal bread, vegetables, fruits, berries, and fresh herbs.However, if you know that, for example, lettuce or tomatoes you do not tolerate well, then you should not abuse them – this will affect the well-being of your baby.

Remember that the basic principle is very simple: everything you eat is your child!

The baby has a tummy ache, or newborn colic

If a baby has a tummy ache, he becomes restless, the tummy will be tense and may swell, the baby presses his legs to his stomach and cries loudly, and sometimes requires a breast, but does not suck.

Why do babies in the first three months of life have stomach cramps

• Imperfection of the child’s gastrointestinal tract: insufficient amount of enzymes to break down food, lack of normal intestinal microflora, which helps to assimilate food; and when milk splits, a large amount of gas is released. After three months, the formation of normal intestinal microflora occurs and colic disappears.
• Swallowing air during feeding.
• Maternal malnutrition.

How to help a child when his tummy hurts

• after feeding, it is imperative to hold the child in an upright position – “column”, supporting the head, while it is better to walk around the room; you can finish this procedure only after the child belches air, sometimes it takes no more than a minute, and sometimes 15-20 minutes.
• Apply a folded heated diaper to the tummy; two diapers need to be warmed: one is on the tummy, and the other is warming up.
• between feedings, the child can be given dill water prepared in the pharmacy (it is better not to prepare it for newborns).
• for colic in a child, the mother should pay attention to her nutrition.

Umbilical wound: how to properly treat it

So, by the time of discharge from the hospital, as a rule, the umbilical cord is gone, but there is an umbilical wound, more precisely, a scar (navel), which must be carefully looked after. Care must be taken to keep this area clean and dry at all times.To reduce the risk of infection of the umbilical wound and in order to prevent purulent diseases of the navel and the development of umbilical sepsis (in which the infection enters the bloodstream, causing infection of the whole body), it is necessary to treat the umbilical wound twice a day (in the morning, during the first swaddling and in the evening, after bathing).

A newborn’s first-aid kit should contain : hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) for treating the navel, potassium permanganate, brilliant green, sterile cotton swabs or sterile cotton wool, gauze napkins, chamomile (to be added to the water when bathing if necessary), dill water (can be ordered at the pharmacy).Additionally, you can consult your pediatrician regarding the contents of the first aid kit.

Treatment of the umbilical wound

To do this, you will need sterile cotton swabs, 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, alcoholic tincture of brilliant green (or 5% potassium permanganate solution). Wash your hands thoroughly before treating your navel. Using your thumb and forefinger, grab the skin around your navel and open the wound slightly.

Moisten a cotton swab or drip a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and treat the wound from the center to the outer edges, carefully removing the separated wound, while the peroxide will foam.Dry (with blotting movements) with a sterile cotton ball. After that, treat the umbilical wound with potassium permanganate.

It is necessary to treat the umbilical wound until the navel heals and when there are no crusts, serous or sacral secretions, and when treated with peroxide, no foam is formed.

If the wound starts to “get wet”, there is discharge, and the surrounding skin turns red, it is quite possible that an infection has got into the wound – in this case, call a doctor immediately!

Features of a chair for newborns

In the first two to three days after birth, the baby’s stool is usually green.This is the so-called meconium – what has accumulated in the baby during his stay in the mother’s womb. By the third or fourth day of life, the color of the stool usually changes to light yellow, or yellowish-white, or yellow-green – this is normal stool.

Stool for newborns is liquid, unformed, mushy. It may contain white, cheesy inclusions.

A newborn baby can go to the potty several times a day.

Don’t worry if your baby didn’t make mom happy and poop one day.Babies may not have stool for up to several days, it is just that everything that he ate is completely absorbed. The main thing is that the baby’s stool is always liquid and mushy.

However, if the stool of the crumbs still bothers you, leave the diaper with the “material evidence” to consult a pediatrician.

First doctor’s visit, what should mom do

– first of all, it is advisable to find out what the doctor’s name is when he has office hours at the clinic, since the time of his arrival at you will depend on this: if the doctor receives an appointment in the morning, then he will come to you in the afternoon, if in the evening then vita time will be in the morning.

-Prepare in advance shoe covers or slippers for the doctor. In the bathroom, you need to hang a clean hand towel and put soap.

– put in a prominent place the exchange cards from the maternity hospital, one of them you will have to hand over to the pediatrician, the other to the antenatal clinic.

– it is desirable that the baby be fed before the examination. If the baby is fed just before the doctor’s visit, warn him about this, otherwise, during an active examination, the baby may vomit abundantly with the eaten food.

– If you are confused by the baby’s chair, leave the dirty diaper (wrapped) until the doctor comes and consult him.

– the place of examination of the baby should be well lit, at the time of examination the room should have a comfortable temperature (22-24 degrees)

-Prepare a clean teaspoon, it should be straight, without curls (this is necessary for examining the oral cavity).

– put on the table all the products that you use to care for your baby.Ask if you have everything you need to treat the skin, bathe the baby and if you use it correctly.

-Prepare the child for the arrival of the pediatrician. It is necessary that the baby is washed and washed; if the umbilical wound causes you anxiety, you should not cover it with brilliant green or potassium permanganate on the day of visiting the doctor – you can do this after examination. If on the scalp, body there are elements of peeling or rashes that alert you, then you should also not treat them with anything before the doctor arrives.

What to ask the doctor

-When can you go out for a walk and how long can a walk last?

-How to determine if the baby has enough breast milk?

-What mixture should you have at home if suddenly there is not enough milk?

– What medications should you have for your baby?

– what medications can a nursing mother take if necessary (headache, abdominal pain, fever, etc.)P.)?

-How to wash a child, clean eyes, ears, nose?

Be sure to ask your doctor about the schedule of preventive vaccinations and about those vaccinations that need to be done in addition to protect the baby from terrible infectious diseases, for example, caused by pneumococcus and meningococcus.

What infectious diseases are caused by pneumococcus

Pneumococcus can cause both serious, deadly diseases – inflammation of the membranes of the brain (meningitis), blood infection (bacteremia or sepsis) and pneumonia (pneumonia), and less severe diseases – infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract (pharyngitis, bronchitis, inflammation sinuses – rhinosinusitis), inflammation of the middle ear (acute otitis media).

Among all bacterial infections to date, pneumococcus retains a notorious reputation as the world’s No. 1 killer.

Every year, 1 million children under the age of 5 die from pneumococcal pneumonia worldwide. After suffering pneumococcal meningitis, 60% of surviving children become disabled!

Therefore, your baby must be protected from pneumococcal infection!

A child can be protected from pneumococcal infection in the same way as it is done for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, meningococcal and other infections – by means of vaccination.For detailed information on the prevention of infectious diseases, you can contact the pediatricians of our medical center.

How your baby grows

Weight is the starting point for the development and growth of all newborns. The average weight of children born is about 3 -3.5 kilograms, and their height is 51 centimeters. However, all children are different and the height and weight depend on the constitution of the parents and on how the pregnancy proceeded.

Weight gain for all children is individual, but on average, in the first month, the child should add 600-900 grams, for the second and subsequent months, the average weight gain is 500-600 grams.The baby doubles its weight in the fourth – sixth month and triples by the year. Regular weight gain is an important sign of normal child development. However, when assessing weight gain, it is also necessary to assess the change in body length. These indicators are interrelated.

You can create a table of changes in the baby’s weight and height for yourself and after visiting the pediatrician, enter these indicators there once a month. This will help you keep track of the correct development of the baby and also assess whether you have enough milk.

Other indicators of baby development in the first 3 months of life

Each baby develops individually and no one can force its development. The timing of mastering certain skills is also strictly individual and depends on the maturity of the nervous, muscular and other systems of the child’s body. But the order of mastering certain skills is the same for all children.

The table shows some of the skills and abilities that your little one should learn in the first three months of his life.

In the column “Individual indicators” you can mark the individual development of your baby.

A few practical tips to keep you and your baby calm, comfortable and happy

– Talk to your child and sing songs to him. Most of all, the child loves to listen to the human voice.

– Try to get your baby into a daily routine.

– Change the position of the child. This will help avoid changing the shape of the head.Try to position your child in such a way that a wide variety of objects surround him.

– Get his attention. Hang some light toys over the baby changing table. Breathe on the arms and tummy of the baby, warm them with your breath. By focusing on different parts of his body, he gets to know himself better.

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Regurgitation syndrome in children. The author of the article: doctor-neurologist Kolesnichenko Tatiana Viktorovna.

03 December 2019

Family Health Magazine

One of the most common complaints of parents of children of the first year of life, and especially the first months, is regurgitation.Regurgitation occurs when the gastric contents are passively thrown into the oral cavity.
cavity without tension of the abdominal press.
At the same time, the child’s well-being does not suffer.
Regurgitation can occur in healthy newborns and children in the first months of life,
since there are anatomical and physiological
features at this age: short esophagus, poor development of muscle fibers
valves in the area of ​​transition of the esophagus into the stomach, the horizontal position of the stomach.
Therefore, in case of violation of the feeding technique, overfeeding, when a child is found
in a horizontal position after feeding, regurgitation occurs in healthy
children.In the presence of pathology from the side
gastrointestinal tract, central
nervous system, in premature babies
regurgitation are more common.
To prevent or reduce
the amount of regurgitation, in any case, overfeeding must be avoided and
feeding technique. Overfeeding can be
caused by frequent latching on to the breast,
especially with a large volume of milk from the mother. When overfeeding, the child adds
en masse, feels satisfactory,
regurgitation of a small amount almost immediately after feeding.In the first month of life
feeding is done on demand. IN
in this case, it is necessary to try to achieve complete emptying of the mammary gland on one side and try not to put the child on the other. It should be remembered
that the so-called “front” milk is more
liquid and satisfies thirst, and the “back”
rich in nutrients and satisfies food needs. “Front”
the baby sucks milk easily, therefore,
when the “back” milk begins, requiring a lot of effort, he is worried and, in some cases, it is applied to the second mammary gland.When applied
to two mammary glands, the child receives
more fluid, which contributes to the occurrence of regurgitation, and also does not feel
feeling full, which is also expressed by anxiety. Do not forget about the upright position of the baby after feeding in
within 10 minutes and try not to spend
during this time of active manipulation, for example, changing a diaper. In some cases
prolonged overfeeding leads to persistent
regurgitation and disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, which can be expressed
in the form of colic, impaired bowel movement (constipation or frequent stools).If not properly applied to the breast, the baby swallows a large amount of air at the time of feeding. Children after
feedings are worried, after about 10 minutes spitting up with loud
the sound of exhaust air. Air is also swallowed with a small amount of milk, with the wrong position of the bottle or a large hole in
nipple with artificial feeding.
The correct position of the baby during breastfeeding is determined by: the face
the child is placed near the chest, the chin is pressed to the mother’s chest, the child is
with the body turned to the mother and pressed against her,
the child’s lower lip is turned outward, above
the areola is visible with the upper lip, the mother has no pain in the area
nipples.If the child is on an artificial
feeding, it is also necessary not to forget about the correct feeding technique.
The bottle should be in a horizontal position, the hole in the nipple should be appropriate for age (the number is indicated on
packaging and the nipple itself), the nipple must be
completely filled. If the child continues to regurgitate, then in the absence of organic pathology from the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous
systems, antireflux
mixtures with various thickeners that
are selected individually.When finding out the reasons for regurgitation, the information received from the parents is of great importance, since they constantly
are with the child and can even mark
minimal changes in well-being
child, as well as information about the course
pregnancy, childbirth, early attachment to the breast. It is necessary to remember about adhering to the diet of a nursing mother. Excessive amount of fiber (vegetables, fruits),
the use of spicy, smoked food, carbonated drinks, sweets leads to
disruption of the gastrointestinal
tract of the child and one of the symptoms of this
there will be regurgitation.If regurgitation persists when all the conditions for correct feeding are met,
then consultation of narrow specialists is required (neurologist, surgeon, gastroenterologist) and,
if necessary, joint treatment.