Baby spitting up milk is a common phenomenon, mainly due to the incomplete maturation of their stomach and throat physiology. A baby’s stomach is horizontally positioned, with a less stable structure, especially the cardiac sphincter, the entrance to the stomach, which is relatively relaxed. This means that after food enters the stomach, it is not as effectively prevented from flowing back into the esophagus as in adults. When babies suckle, they often swallow milk along with air, and with the higher position of the larynx, body movements or burping can easily cause milk reflux, leading to spitting up milk.
It is worth noting that if the spit-up is projectile in nature, it should be considered an abnormal condition, possibly due to pyloric stenosis, a condition where the muscle at the end of the stomach thickens and obstructs food from entering the small intestine, requiring immediate medical attention.
Chilling of the baby’s abdomen may also trigger spit-up or diarrhea, and parents can alleviate this by using warmth, gentle massage, and providing warm food. If the above measures are ineffective or accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, prompt professional medical help should be sought.
For handling spit-up in a one-month-old baby, here are some suggestions: first, ensure that the child’s upper body is elevated to prevent vomit from entering the airway. If the baby spits up while lying flat, turn their face to the side to reduce the risk. Secondly, carefully observe the baby’s reaction after spitting up, offer a small amount of fluids if necessary, but after about half an hour to avoid stimulating further vomiting. Additionally, the next feeding amount should be halved, feeding frequency increased, only breast milk or formula should be provided, solid food should be paused until the child fully recovers.
Through these meticulous care measures, baby spit-up can be effectively managed and reduced, ensuring the baby’s health and safety.
