During the first few months after birth, it is common for babies to experience spitting up and regurgitation, especially for two-month-old infants. Although these two terms are often used interchangeably, they actually describe different situations.
Spitting up usually involves a larger amount of milk and may occur shortly after feeding or within about half an hour. Before spitting up, the baby may display actions such as opening their mouth, stretching their neck, and showing discomfort. In contrast, regurgitation involves a small amount and mostly happens right after finishing breastfeeding, only spitting out a mouthful of milk.
For a two-month-old baby, frequent spitting up is mainly caused by several factors:
Position changes: Mothers adjust their holding position after breastfeeding to make the baby comfortable and aid digestion, but this unintentional movement sometimes triggers spitting up.
Immature stomach development: Babies at this stage have immature stomach and throat structures, making it easy for the ingested milk to flow back into the esophagus.
Throat structure: The baby’s throat is positioned high, making it easy to swallow air while nursing. When the baby burps or moves, the milk mixed with air may be spit out.
Cold or cough: If the baby has a cold or cough, it may worsen the spitting up situation.
When faced with a baby spitting up, many parents feel at a loss. Here are some measures to take:
Keep the upper body elevated: To prevent vomit from entering the airway, ensure that the baby’s upper body is elevated. You can use a towel for support or simply hold the baby upright. If the baby spits up while lying down, turn the baby’s face to one side for the milk to flow out.
Monitor the baby’s condition: After spitting up, closely observe the baby’s mental reaction. In most cases, the baby quickly returns to normal.
Hydrate appropriately: Avoid immediately feeding water after spitting up; it is recommended to wait about 30 minutes before offering a small amount of boiled water.
Adjust feeding amount: Once the baby’s condition stabilizes, feed in moderation and opt for multiple small feedings.
Correct feeding position: The key to preventing spitting up is adopting the proper feeding position, keeping the baby’s body at a 45-degree angle.
These measures help alleviate and manage the baby’s spitting up situation, ensuring their health and safety.
