When newborns experience spit-up, parents may worry. In fact, spit-up refers to the uncontrolled reflux of contents from the esophagus or stomach to outside the mouth, which could be just a little milk brought up by the baby when burping, or a more forceful expulsion of milk after stomach contractions. To alleviate this, it is suggested to hold the baby upright after each feeding, gently pat the back until burping, then lay the baby down to reduce milk spillage. Spit-up is not related to formula brands; proper feeding is key.
Whether frequent spit-up in newborns needs to be a concern depends on the cause. Spit-up may be due to physiological factors such as infants’ horizontal stomach position, small capacity, and loose lower esophageal sphincter, making spit-up common in their development, which improves gradually with growth. Pathological factors like coughing, infections (such as diarrhea, otitis media, pneumonia, etc.) can also lead to spit-up. Improper feeding methods like feeding too fast, excessive amounts, early introduction of solids, or inappropriate bottle nipple flow rate can also contribute to spit-up.
In the case of severe spit-up, adopting the correct nursing posture is crucial. For breastfeeding, ensure nipple cleanliness and control milk flow rate with fingers; for bottle-feeding, pay attention to bottle sterilization and nipple hole adjustment to avoid rapid milk flow. After feeding, keep the baby upright and pat the back to help release gas. For frequent spit-up, aside from ruling out medical conditions, trying to keep the baby in a head-elevated position during sleep, and proper positioning under medical guidance can help reduce gastroesophageal reflux. Additionally, maintaining the baby’s routine, avoiding overfeeding, ensuring sufficient rest and moderate exercise, creating a relaxed and stress-free environment for growth can help reduce spit-up occurrences.
