At six months old, babies may still occasionally spit up milk, which can worry parents. In fact, this phenomenon is quite common and mainly due to the structure of the baby’s stomach. The baby’s stomach is in a horizontal position, with a small capacity, and a loose lower esophageal sphincter connecting the esophagus and a relatively narrow pylorus connecting to the small intestine. When the baby eats too quickly or swallows air, milk is more likely to reflux, leading to spitting up or milk overflow.
When dealing with a baby spitting up milk, parents do not need to worry excessively but should pay attention to the following care measures:
Try to keep the baby’s body inclined at about 45 degrees while feeding, which helps the milk flow smoothly into the small intestine.
Help the baby burp after feeding to expel swallowed air and reduce the chances of spitting up.
After feeding, let the baby lie on their side for a moment before slowly turning them onto their back, which can reduce spitting up.
Control the amount of milk fed each time, avoid overfeeding, and appropriately extend the feeding intervals.
Generally, if a baby spits up milk without other accompanying symptoms, there is usually no need for excessive concern. As the baby grows, this situation will gradually improve. However, it is worth noting that if a baby spits up frequently, and the color of the vomit is abnormal (such as yellow-green or brown), or if there are accompanying symptoms like fever, diarrhea, prompt medical attention and examination are necessary to rule out pathological causes. For babies who continue to spit up frequently after three months, it is advisable to consult a professional doctor for targeted guidance and assistance.
