My girl is 12 weeks old. Since birth she spits a lot. Whenever she burps, she removes cuddled milk and cries a lot. I thought it is normal but now am getting worried.
Esther Kimani Staff
Most babies spit up milk out of their mouths or noses. This is because the sphincter at the top of the stomach is often loose. In otherwise healthy, happy babies who are growing well, the spit-up is mostly milk, rather than stomach acid, and nothing needs to be done.
Babies gaining at least 30g – 70grams a week and with wet diapers at least every 6 hours are usually growing well. Spitting up may be caused by a number of different things. The muscle at the top of the stomach may be too loose the valve at the bottom of the stomach may be too tight (so the stomach gets too full), or big air bubbles may take up too much room. Sometimes babies just drink too much, too fast. It may also be due to mother diet especially when you take foods rich in gluten like wheat, legumes, citric fruits and cow milk.
To reduce spitting up, burp your baby several times during and after feeding. Sit the baby upright, with your hand supporting the head. Let the baby lean over slightly, bending at the waist. The upright posture moves air to the top of the stomach, and the forward lean puts a little pressure on the stomach to eject the air, helping the baby to burp. Avoid pressure on the abdomen, which occurs when holding your baby over your shoulder — this just causes more expulsion of stomach contents.
Here are other ways to reduce spitting up:
1. For breastfed babies, try limiting nursing to just one breast per feeding.
2. Try holding the baby upright for 15 – 30 minutes after feedings.
Avoid excessive movement and jiggling during and immediately after feeding.
3. When it’s time to lay your baby down, try keeping the head of his bed slightly elevated.
Sometimes removing a food from the mother’s diet (usually cow’s milk) can help, but should ask your doctor before doing this.
