Spitting Up (Reflux)
Description / Symptoms
- The effortless spitting up or reflux of 1 or 2 mouthfuls of stomach contents
- Smaller amounts often occur with burping ("wet burps")
- Larger amounts can occur after overfeeding. Usually seen during or shortly after feedings
- Occurs mainly in children under 1 year of age and begins in the first weeks of life
Complications: choking on spit up milk, heartburn from acid on lower esophagus, poor weight gain.
Cause
Poor closure of the valve at the upper end of the stomach. More than half of all infants have occasional spitting up ("happy spitters").
Reflux Versus Vomiting: How to Tell
During the first month of life, newborns with true vomiting need to be seen immediately because the causes can be serious. Therefore, it's important to distinguish between reflux and true vomiting.
Reflux: The following suggest reflux (spitting up): infant previously diagnosed with reflux, onset early in life (85% by 7 days of life), present for several days or weeks, no discomfort during reflux, no diarrhea, hungry, looks well and acts happy.
Vomiting: The following suggest vomiting: uncomfortable during vomiting, new symptom starting today or yesterday, associated diarrhea, projectile or forceful vomiting, looks or acts sick.
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one)
If large volume and comes out forcefully, see Vomiting.
When to Call Your Doctor for Spitting Up (Reflux)
Call Your Doctor Now If:
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- Blood in the spitup
- Choked on milk and turned bluish or became limp
- Age < 1 month old and looks or acts sick in any way
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours If:
- See other columns for appropriate advice
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Hours If:
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Poor weight gain
- Frequent unexplained fussiness
- Spitting up becoming worse (eg. increased amount)
- Age > 18 months
- You have other questions or concerns
Home Care (Read "Call Your Doctor…" first):
Feed smaller amounts.
Bottlefed
Give smaller amounts per feeding (at least 1 ounce less than you have been). Keep the total feeding time to less than 20 minutes. (Reason: overfeeding or filling the stomach to capacity always makes spitting up worse).
Breastfed
If the mother has a plentiful milk supply, try nursing on 1 side per feeding and pumping the other side. Alternate sides.
Longer Feeding Intervals
Wait at least 2½ hours between feedings, because it takes that long for the stomach to empty itself. Don't add food to a full stomach.
Loose Diapers
Avoid tight diapers. It puts added pressure on the stomach. Don't put pressure on the abdomen or play vigorously with your child right after meals.
Vertical Position
After meals, try to hold your baby in the upright (vertical) position. Use a front-pack, backpack, or swing for 30 to 60 minutes.
Reduce time in sitting position (e.g. infant seats). After 6 months of age, a jumpy seat is helpful. (The newer ones are stable).
Expected Course
Reflux improves with age. Many babies are better by 7 months of age, after learning to sit well.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Your baby doesn't improve with this approach
- Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor…" symptoms
Related Health & Safety Information
Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright 2000-2006.