Baby spitting up milk is a common occurrence, especially for new moms, who may notice an unusual phenomenon: the baby sometimes spits up milk not from the mouth, but from the nose. Faced with this situation, parents may feel worried, but in reality, there is a physiological reason behind this, so there is no need to be overly concerned.
After birth, due to the immature structure of the stomach and throat, with the stomach in a horizontal position, small capacity, a relaxed lower esophageal sphincter connecting to the esophagus, and a relatively narrow pylorus leading to the small intestine. This means that babies may easily swallow air during feeding, leading to spitting up, and in severe cases, milk may overflow from the nasal cavity. This situation often occurs between half a month to two months after the baby is born, and as the baby grows, around six months later, spitting up will significantly decrease.
To reduce spitting up in babies, especially to avoid the risk of milk overflowing from the nose, parents should adopt the correct breastfeeding position and take appropriate measures after feeding. After feeding, the baby should be held upright and gently patted on the back to facilitate burping and help expel air from the stomach. Even if the baby does not burp immediately, they can be held upright for about half an hour, then transition to lying on their side, and gradually move to lying flat. This can effectively reduce occurrences of spitting up and ensure the baby’s airways remain clear.
In addition, choosing the right nipple is also important, with the nipple hole size being moderate. Too large or too small holes may cause the baby to swallow air while sucking, increasing the risk of spitting up. As the baby grows, around 3-4 months later, their ability to control sucking improves, the lower esophageal sphincter becomes more mature, and spitting up naturally improves.
In conclusion, while baby spitting up milk is common, through appropriate adjustments in feeding methods and positions, this phenomenon can be effectively alleviated, ensuring the baby’s safety and health. If milk occasionally overflows from the nostrils, parents should promptly clean it up, ensure the baby’s breathing is clear, and make the baby sleep on their side as a precaution.
