Baby Spitting Is Good : Tiny babies spitting up immediately after being fed can be a big cause of parental concern. Since feeding is vital for the baby, parents might feel that spitting causes loss of important nutrients or it indicates a health anomaly such as indigestion. We bust the myths on why you must put your worries to rest and when you should seek help from a child specialist What causes spitting up? Spitting up is a common phenomenon for infants. It can hold different connotations on various occasions. Sometimes, it could simply mean that the baby is overfed. A baby might also occasionally spit up while burping. Doctors specify that there is no reason to worry, but being a parent you are bound to be concerned. Dr. Manish Mannan, Consultant, Pediatrics and Neonatology, Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon, explains, “This happens since the valve at the junction between the esophagus (food pipe) and the stomach is weak. Hence, after feeding some amount of milk tends to come back from the stomach to the food pipe and then into the mouth. This problem generally resolves as the baby grows up.” It may be noted that spitting up is never followed by symptoms like discomfort, choking or coughing. Most babies are distinct from each other and some may even spit up larger quantities more often than their counterparts. They stop spitting once they begin to sit up. However, some may continue to do so till they turn one, or start to stand on their own feet and walk around. When to run to the doc Though spitting up is nothing serious, there is a difference between spitting up and vomiting. Spitting can go unnoticed but vomiting is forceful, causes the child great discomfort and generally follows a meal. “The best thing to do is to burp the baby. If she spits, place her in a lateral position and clean her mouth. In case spitting or vomiting is in excess then see the pediatrician,” says Dr. Mannan. If you notice your baby throwing up regularly with traces of blood or her vomit has a bright green colour, then it’s best to consult your pediatrician at the earliest. You cannot avoid or prevent your child from spitting up, but the following steps will help decrease its frequency. 1. Feed your baby in a calm and soothing environment. 2. Burp your baby often when bottle feeding. 3. It is important to hold the baby in an upright position for a few minutes after feeding. Do not put her to sleep immediately. 4. Don’t over-feed your baby. 5. If she tends to spit up in her sleep, try to elevate her head with a blanket under the mattress since sleeping with a pillow may not be advisable for the kid.
Posted on: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 07:53:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015