When is spitting up excessive

Another cause could be pyloric stenosis. Babies with pyloric stenosis typically are hungry again right after vomiting. Surgery is used to correct this problem. There are several distinguishing factors that can usually help you settle on an answer between the two.

Spit-up typically comes up quickly and is mostly quiet as it strikes. Infants who spit up are generally happy before, during, and after. Spitting up usually begins before a child turns 6 months old if it is going to appear. Vomiting is almost always just one symptom of a bigger illness and not an illness in and of itself. Therefore, vomiting is typically seen in conjunction with other symptoms, like a fever or diarrhea.

Additionally, vomiting frequently involves a retching noise and has a greenish tinge from liver bile. Particularly in the first months of life, vomiting can be serious.

During times of illness, infants may be particularly sensitive to dehydration. In considering whether or not to contact your doctor and how quickly your child needs help, keep in mind that not all spit-ups are equal! If your baby is happy and gaining weight, chances are everything is going to be fine, if a bit messy.

The fact that spitting up should last no longer than the first year of life can also be a comforting mantra to focus on as you continually grab the appropriate cleaning supplies from the closet!

Skip to navigation menu Skip to content. High Priority Alert. Close alert. Informational Alert. Spitting Up - Reflux. Is this your child's symptom? Spitting up small amounts of breastmilk or formula. Also called reflux. Spitting up 1 or 2 mouthfuls of milk at a time No effort or crying Normal symptom in half of young babies Symptoms of Normal Spitting Up Smaller amounts often occur with burping "wet burps" Larger amounts can occur after overfeeding Most often seen during or shortly after feedings Occurs mainly in children under 1 year of age Begins in the first weeks of life Caution: normal reflux does not cause any crying Complications of Spitting Up GERD Most infants are "happy spitters.

J Allergy Clin Immunol. Gastroesophageal reflux in nursing children: normal or pathology? Vopr Pitan. Prevalence of gastro-esophageal reflux-related symptoms in Japanese infants.

Pediatr Int. Prevalence of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux during infancy. A pediatric practice-based survey. Pediatric Practice Research Group. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med Jun; 6 Paradoxical impact of body positioning on gastroesophageal reflux and gastric emptying in the premature neonate.

J Pediatr. Thickened feedings as a cause of increased coughing when used as therapy for gastroesophageal reflux in infants.

J Pediatr Dec; 6 Orenstein SR. Prone positioning in infant gastroesophageal reflux: is elevation of the head worth the trouble? Topic Overview Almost all babies spit up, especially newborns. When spitting up becomes a problem If your baby starts spitting up after every feeding, there may be a problem with the way he or she is being fed.

Tips to reduce spitting up The following tips may help your baby to spit up less often. Feed your baby smaller amounts at each feeding. Feed your baby slowly. Hold your baby during feedings. Don't prop your baby's bottle. Don't place your baby in an infant seat during feedings. Try a new type of bottle or use a nipple with a smaller opening to reduce air intake. Limit active and rough play after feedings. Try putting your baby in different positions during and after feeding.