Many new mothers encounter confusion while breastfeeding, especially when their babies spit up, which distresses them greatly. In fact, spitting up is a common gastrointestinal reaction in infants, mainly due to their small stomach capacity and immature digestive system, making them prone to gastroesophageal reflux. Facing this issue, a practical method is to perform abdominal massages. This method can stimulate the nervous system to promote gastric secretions, enhance gastrointestinal motility, increase insulin levels, accelerate glucose and fat metabolism, thus improving digestion and absorption. It is usually recommended to do it approximately half an hour after feeding, starting from the belly button, fingers together, gently massage in a clockwise direction, lasting for 5 to 10 minutes each time, 4 to 6 times a day, with possible longer intervals at night. As the spitting up situation improves, gradually decrease the number of massage sessions.
After a baby spits up, whether to continue feeding depends on the specific signs the baby shows. If the child appears comfortable, active as usual, attempting to feed again is fine; on the contrary, if the child seems uncomfortable, it is best to let their stomach rest for a while and not force-feed. Despite seemingly spitting out a substantial amount of milk, in most cases, the actual milk intake is sufficient to support the baby’s growth needs, so occasional spitting up is not a big problem. However, if spitting up occurs after every feeding, it is important to consider if there are underlying health issues and seek medical help if necessary.
For babies after spitting up, when they regain their spirits and show signs of hunger, continue feeding, but reduce the amount per feeding and increase feeding frequency. Mild spitting up or milk overflow is common in newborns because their stomach structure is different from adults and more prone to reflux. To alleviate this situation, some measures can be taken, such as using anti-colic bottles, timely supplementing with calcium and cod liver oil, keeping the baby in a right-sided lying position after feeding, and gently patting the baby’s back to help burping, all of which help reduce spitting up and prevent accidents.
