What are the reasons for a baby spitting up milk

Understanding the phenomenon and causes of baby spitting up milk is crucial for new parents. Spitting up is more common in young babies and is mostly considered a normal physiological occurrence, primarily related to their body structure and digestive system development. The baby’s stomach is positioned horizontally, small in volume, the lower esophageal sphincter connecting to the esophagus is relatively loose, while the pylorus connecting to the small intestine is relatively closed. Along with the possibility of air intake during feeding, these factors together make it easy for milk to reflux into the mouth, leading to spitting up. However, to ensure the baby’s healthy growth, here are some suggestions for reference:
1. Feed in a proper position: Try to keep the baby at a 45-degree angle during feeding to facilitate smooth flow of milk into the small intestine and reduce spitting up.
2. Help with burping: After feeding, hold the baby upright and gently pat the back to help with burping and expelling excess gas, which can effectively reduce the chances of spitting up.
3. Adjust sleeping position: Let the baby lie on their side for a while after feeding before moving to a supine position to avoid direct supine position leading to spitting up.
4. Control feeding quantity and frequency: Avoid feeding too much at once or having too short intervals between feedings to prevent indigestion in the baby.
It is worth noting that if the baby is spitting up but is otherwise normal in all other aspects, there is usually no need to worry excessively. As the baby grows, this situation will gradually improve and not affect their normal development. However, spitting up can also be caused by improper feeding practices, such as feeding too quickly, swallowing too much air, or certain conditions like colds, digestive system abnormalities, etc. Therefore, identifying the root cause of spitting up—whether it is physiological or pathological, or due to nursing errors—is essential in taking appropriate measures to alleviate this phenomenon. As the baby grows older, around 6 months, their sucking skills become more proficient, the digestive system further matures, and spitting up usually significantly decreases. During this process, ensuring the baby’s normal weight gain and happy disposition are important indicators of their health status.