For a one-month-old baby who is frequently and severely spitting up, parents need not be overly anxious, even if burping is not very effective. At this stage, babies have immature digestive and swallowing systems, making them prone to spitting up when they are full or active. Measures to improve the situation include: controlling the amount during feeding to avoid overfeeding; holding the baby upright and gently patting their back after feeding to help expel swallowed air; avoiding large movements like dressing or bathing within half an hour after feeding; and daily gentle abdominal massage for the baby, as well as trying to let them sleep on their side. If spitting up is severe, one could consider giving some probiotics as assistance, and if signs of dehydration occur, timely medical attention should be sought.
As for whether newborns can be held upright for burping to prevent spitting up, practice has proven this to be a safe and effective method. After returning home, first give the baby warm boiled water to ward off the cold, followed by feeding and holding them upright while gently patting their back for a few minutes, which can help reduce spitting up.
The correct way to burp is: after breastfeeding, hold the baby upright on your shoulder and use a fist to gently pat their back until they burp. If the first attempt is not successful, be patient and try a few more times. Additionally, adopting a small frequent feeding approach can also effectively reduce spitting up.
For the issue of continuous spitting up in babies under one month, considering that the baby’s stomach is U-shaped and small in capacity, it is recommended to keep them upright and gently pat their back right after feeding, or let the baby lie flat and rest for a moment before picking them up to avoid stimulating spitting up.
As for when a baby can avoid burping, typically, as the baby grows to about six months old, their digestive system becomes more mature, and the need for burping will gradually decrease. However, every baby develops differently, so if frequent vomiting continues after six months, it is advisable to consult a doctor to rule out other potential health issues.
