According to Dr Vivek Jain, Senior Director & Unit Head, Paediatrics, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, infants have an immature digestive system; hence, mild reflux and spit-ups are prevalent. Understanding the causative factors would help parents understand normal behaviour and when they need to seek medical help.
What Does Newborn Vomiting Look Like?
Spit-up is when a small amount of milk gently flows out of a newborn's mouth, usually during or soon after feeding. Vomiting is more forceful and may involve the stomach contents being pushed out with greater pressure.“Most mild spit-ups are harmless, but persistent vomiting or changes in feeding, urine output or behaviour deserve medical evaluation.”
- Dr Vivek Jain, Senior Director & Unit Head, Paediatrics, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi
5 Reasons My Newborn is Throwing Up
Your newborn might be throwing up (spit-ups) due to the following reasons:1. Overfeeding
Newborns have small stomachs, and too much milk can cause discomfort. Parents can help by:
- Following the baby's cues for hunger and satiety
- Not pressuring the baby to finish a feed
- Using smaller volumes and more frequent feedings if the paediatrician advises it
- Keeping the baby in an upright position for a while after feeding
2. An Underdeveloped Digestive System
A baby's digestive system is still immature, and the muscle responsible for retaining milk in the stomach may not be functioning effectively. This causes the milk to reflux and flow back up the oesophagus, causing spit-ups after meals and excess milk ingestion.
In mild cases of reflux, the condition is likely to improve gradually as babies grow older. Parents are advised not to position their babies in unsafe sleeping positions to alleviate reflux. Babies should always sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface.
3. Swallowing Air During Feeding
While nursing or feeding through a bottle, babies could ingest air. This particularly takes place in situations when the baby is unable to latch properly, cries while eating, or uses a bottle.
Air present in the tummy can be a reason for discomfort and lead to burps or even vomiting. In order to prevent discomfort and rid the baby of air that has been swallowed while eating, parents may consider burping the baby regularly.
Bottle-fed babies should also be properly positioned, as well as provided with a nipple that matches their age and competence in sucking.
4. Feeding Too Quickly
When the milk comes out faster than the baby can swallow, vomiting or spitting may happen. A fast-flowing nipple or an inconvenient position of the baby during feeding can cause this problem. Some symptoms that the baby may present include gagging, spewing milk, coughing, and whining when drinking milk.
Thus, parents should select the right nipple for their baby and consult their doctors on how to bottle feed appropriately. Besides that, it may help to put the baby in a comfortable position during bottle feeding.
5. Infection or Other Illness
There are instances when vomiting is not an outcome of milk consumed. Vomiting can result from any infection or other disease, especially if this is observed repeatedly or along with other symptoms.
Parents should contact doctors if the baby experiences:
- Fever or overheating
- Poor feeding or refusal to feed
- Feeling sleepy and having difficulties waking up the baby
- Fewer nappies than usual
- Vigorous vomiting
- Signs of dehydration like dry mouth or reduced urination
When Should Parents Seek Immediate Medical Care?
Parents should seek immediate medical care if the vomiting is frequent, forceful, green or yellow, or contains blood. Urgent evaluation is also needed if the baby refuses to feed, is unusually sleepy, has breathing problems, develops fever, shows signs of dehydration, or has a swollen abdomen. Persistent vomiting, poor weight gain, fewer wet nappies, or a baby who appears seriously unwell should never be ignored.Newborn vomiting can have simple causes, but parents should never ignore repeated or unusual episodes. Pay attention to the timing, appearance, frequency, feeding pattern, and your baby's overall behaviour. Keep track of wet nappies and feeding. If vomiting is forceful and persistent, seek medical care promptly. When in doubt, contact your paediatrician rather than waiting.
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FAQs on 5 Reasons Why Your Newborn Is Throwing Up
- How can I tell if my newborn is vomiting or simply spitting up?
Spit-ups usually flow gently from the mouth and are small in amount. Vomiting is more forceful and may involve larger amounts of milk. - Why does my newborn vomit curdled milk?
Milk may look curdled after mixing with stomach acid during digestion. This appearance alone does not necessarily indicate a serious problem. - Can crying for a long time make my newborn throw up?
Intense crying can trigger gagging or swallowing of excess air, which may sometimes result in vomiting. Persistent vomiting should be evaluated.