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Spitting up in babies: What's normal, what's not
Spitting up is a rite of passage for many babies. Here's what to do about it — and when spitting up may signal a more serious problem.
By Mayo Clinic staffDoes your baby spit up after every feeding? Although it's messy, you probably don't need to worry. Spitting up rarely signifies a serious problem. As long as your baby seems comfortable and is gaining weight, there's little cause for concern.
What's happening
If you keep a burp cloth within reach at all times, you're in good company. More than half of all babies experience infant acid reflux during the first three months after birth, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Normally, a valve (lower esophageal sphincter) between the esophagus and the stomach keeps stomach contents where they belong. Until this valve has time to mature, spitting up may be an issue — especially if your baby eats too much or too quickly.
Minimal spitting up doesn't hurt. It isn't likely to cause coughing, choking or discomfort — even during sleep. Chances are your baby won't even notice the fluid dripping out of his or her mouth.
Spitting up tends to peak at age 4 months, and most babies stop spitting up by age 12 months.
Next page(1 of 2)
- Vomiting. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BK0_Vomiting.htm. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Burping, hiccups and spitting up. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.medem.com/medlib/article/ZZZA66L09EC. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Parent's take home guide to GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Children's Digestive Health and Nutrition Foundation. http://www.naspghan.org/user-assets/Documents/pdf/diseaseInfo/GERD-E.pdf. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Gastroesophageal reflux in infants. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerdinfant/index.htm. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Winter HS. Gastroesophageal reflux in infants. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 9, 2009.
