The phenomenon of spitting up milk in babies is usually caused by the immaturity of the lower esophageal sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach, and sometimes may be related to improper feeding. Parents can distinguish the reasons for babies spitting up by observing the following aspects:
While both spitting up and overflowing milk involve milk flowing out of the mouth, there are differences. Overflowing milk is usually a mild reaction, such as a small amount of milk dribbling from the corner of the mouth during burping, accompanied by a small amount and no discomfort. In contrast, spitting up occurs in babies some time after feeding, with strong contractions in the stomach causing milk to spray out like a small fountain, with a larger amount of spit-up, and the baby may exhibit signs of discomfort such as opening the mouth and stretching the neck before it happens. As babies grow, mild spitting up and milk overflow situations usually improve on their own.
Spitting up can also be classified as physiological or pathological. Physiological spitting up is common in the first four months after birth, especially in the newborn period, characterized by basic milk overflow, a small amount, and the baby being in good condition after spitting up. Pathological spitting up is not limited to specific months and may be accompanied by other illnesses, with the characteristic of forceful projectile spitting up, possibly containing stomach acid, even partially digested milk clumps that taste sour, while the baby may also show symptoms such as cold, cough, and so on.
For a one-month-old baby spitting up with bubbles, possible reasons may include:
Infections like colds, diarrhea, where coughing increases abdominal pressure leading to vomiting;
Constipation causing bloating in the abdomen, which then leads to spitting up;
Abdominal deformities, in which babies frequently spit up and show signs of hunger, long-term leading to malnutrition;
Esophageal or intestinal blockages, in which babies under such conditions will continuously vomit shortly after birth and require timely medical intervention.
When faced with a baby spitting up, parents can try measures such as holding the baby upright, gently patting the back to help burping, gently massaging the baby’s abdomen, and providing warm water and easily digestible foods. If the above methods are ineffective and the baby spits up frequently, with abnormal colored fluids, fever, diarrhea, and other symptoms, medical attention should be sought immediately.
