Infant Spitting up--ALOT

Updated on July 29, 2008
C.L. asks from Flower Mound, TX
31 answers

Hi Moms-
My daughter who is almost 4 months has been spitting up a lot in the last few days. She has always been one who needed to sit up for awhile after eating. We try to keep moving her around after eating to a minimum. However, the last several days after eating, she spits up everywhere. The first time she did it (more than normal) the other day, she had just had breastmilk so I assumed it must have been something I ate. However, the times she has done it since has been formula. She doesn't seem to be bothered by it. She doesn't act like she feels bad. This morning, I fed her at 5:30. She was happy and smiling, but two seconds later, she would spit up all over the place. Of course, it's funny to her, and she probably feels better after she does it. After her feeding this morning, I was trying to rock her or walk around to help her go back to sleep. She seemed very fidgety and seemed like she couldn't relax. At 7:00, she was still randomly spitting up. Any advice?

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M.T.

answers from Dallas on

I had a friend many years ago who had a little boy who was having the same problem. Maybe the formula needs to be changed, but if you have done this then you need to have medical attention. I suggested to my friend to take her little boy to Children's Hospital and they found he had hernias. Once they resolved the problem, he was fine and could drink milk without throwing up. Good luck!

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C.

answers from Dallas on

sounds like maybe a food sensitivity--milk, soy, formula of any kind and wheat all give my child reflux--she has had it since age 1 month and just turned 3. If we avoid the foods, all is fine. Keep a food diary--especially if you have recently added anything to the menu like some do at age 4 months. Hope this helps

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T.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hello,

Try teh Dr. Brown bottles, my son did the same thing and he has reflux the bottles pulls any air out of the milk before he sucks it down and puts the air back at the back of the bottle. He is fine now and he is 8 months but he was starting to get colic and the bottlers plus gas drops helped alot. Also check into seeing if your baby has a alergy to the formula.

Good Luck,

T.

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S.M.

answers from Dallas on

Before jumping on the 'reflux wagon' try the things that mommies have control over. Change your diet to bland foods; rice, chicken, no sodas, coffee, tea - just water. After 48 hours see if she's able to take breast milk without issue.

Also, pump the first few minutes on each breast to remove the sweet foremilk and have her eat the hindmilk. There are more nutrients in the hind milk and she'll be satisfied more quickly without having to eat through the milk that draws babies to the breast.

Consulting your lactation expert can help also. Yes, talk to your doctor if it is disturbing to you. Pumping and feeding - for a feeding or two - will allow you to see how much milk she's really taking and give you some idea how to pull back so she has time to digest before the next feeding.

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

Your daughter has reflux which is quite common. You need to take her to the doc to have her looked at. They can give meds to help control the reflux and there is a possibility she may out grow this. At about 3 mths my daughter suddenly started spewing after eating. Her doc determined she had reflux and gave her some meds. I was lucky she outgrew at about 6 mths. What a mess!!!!!!

Keep her in an upright position for about 30 mins to an hour after feedings and burp often until you get her looked at.

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D.S.

answers from Dallas on

Hi Chasity,

Have you tried a chiropractor? I am a chiropractor and I have treated many infants with great results! There are areas in the spine that correlate with the digestive tract. If those areas are out of place, it will put pressure on the nerves that supply the digestive tract. It can result in reflux, colic, constipation, diarrhea, etc. By getting her spine adjusted it can take pressure off of those nerves and allow her digestive tract to function properly. Infant adjustments require very little pressure and are completely safe. If you have any questions, please give me a call at ###-###-####. Thanks! Dr. Sandra S.

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J.A.

answers from Amarillo on

She probably isn't burping up enough air causing her to continually spit up. Try burping her a little more often or try giving her some gas drops with each feeding.

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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

Seems like your daughter might have acid reflux. Take her to the doctor. Good luck!

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G.D.

answers from Dallas on

Chasity,
We took our little one (now 5 mths) to the doctor because we thought there was a problem also. We would burp after every 2 oz, and she still spit up...and she is only on formula. Doc said we may have been overfeeding her. So we decreased the amount by 1 oz, and it helped...a little. Doc also thought it might be acid reflux and prescribe some nasty tasting medicine. We gave it to her for 2 days and it seemed to make it worse. So we stopped. I think it's something all babys go through. Their little tummy is so small.

G.
www.gwendolynsphotography.com

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

If she isn't upset when she spits up, chances are she is just a spitter. My son was a major spitter from 2 months until about 7 months. When they start sitting up on their own and they are upright more, it usually stops. I always considered a blessing (even if it was gross and messy) because it means they aren't keeping the gas bubbles inside and so they don't get as colicky with upset tummy. Just keep some spray stain remover handy because those spit ups will stain all of their cute outfits!

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

I guess I'm wondering if she's over eating (?)
She could be going through a growth spurt and just eating way too much for her tummy to hold. If she doesn't completely protest, I would try not giving her so much all at once. Start timing it if you breastfeed and cut a little time if she lets you and see if that helps. If this doesn't work after a day or two, call and ask your doctor what they think.

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T.T.

answers from Dallas on

you might want to try a formula that isn't milk based like Similac Alimentum or Enfamil Nutrigen. They very pricy, but work wonders if she has an allergy to milk. I would also minimize your dairy intake and see if that makes a difference.

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

My opinion is reflux as well. The Zantac is a strong tasting medicine but it helped my girl a lot when she was little and she grew out of the reflux. It is something you can try for a week and if it doesn't decrease move on to Plan B. My kiddos were "happy spitters" as my pedi called them. Reflux left untreated can cause secondary problems related to speech and eating. Of course, smaller more frequent feedings can't hurt either. : )

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S.H.

answers from Dallas on

We had a similar thing with our younger son...no one wanted to hold him (except Mommy and Daddy!) for fear that he'd spit up all over them. We even have video where he's just happy, playing along and then oops! spit-up and the camera shuts off. Now, it's funny but back then we were worried, even though he obviously didn't feel bad.

He was on formula by then and we just had to switch around until we found one that suited him best. We even tried soy (nasty spit-up!) but for him, it was Nestle Good Start that worked best. It wasn't perfect, but minimized the problem. Then one day we just noticed that he wasn't spitting up anymore. My nephew was diagnosed with reflux and took medicine for a while to control that, so I guess all kids are different (we have the same pediatrician, but had different routes for what seemed like a similar problem).

Good luck, I know it's no fun but if she's happy, eating and growing, then it may be just one of those phases. When she gets to solid food, that may help too.

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A.S.

answers from Dallas on

This sounds a lot like acid reflux. A lot of doctors and people think that acid reflux is simply a stomach issue that can be cured with medicine, but I have come to find out after many many doctor visits that sometimes it is in fact a food allergy. The body could be rejecting something in the formula as well as in the breast milk. And in babies, an obvious sign of an allergic reaction is spitting the food right back up. My first guess would be dairy. Have you tried a soy based formula instead of a milk based? Have you avoided dairy in your diet when breast feeding? I would try this for sure and see if there is a difference. My son had a lot of issues as a baby with digestion, and it wasn't until he was after 2 that I took him to an Osteopathic doctor to find out what was wrong with him as he was constantly sick. I found out he was allergic to Gluten and Lactose, and now it has been almost 6 months since we have been to the doctor! This may or may not work with your baby, but I figure that it's easy to change things in a diet rather than just give a baby or child medicine all the time to try to fix or suppress the problems.

Good luck, and I hope you find the answer that works best for you!

A.-SAHWM of 2 beautiful children (2 1/2 & 3 months). Married to a wonderful man of 4 years. Part-time Photographer.

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A.S.

answers from Dallas on

When this happened to our daughter, her pediatrician had us change her formula to Enfamil Lipil AR and put her on medication for reflux.

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L.G.

answers from Dallas on

Hi Chasity,
Sounds like your little one may have acid reflux. My daughter, who is now 5 had the same issues and it took several doctors and months of persistence to figure out that was what she had... I breastfed her and almost as soon as she was finished, a bunch would come right back up. I would recommend mentioning this to your pediatrician ASAP b/c eventhough it doesn't seem to bother her now, it may start causing her pain/discomfort . There are several medicines infants can take that are very safe and you will see a marked improvement! Hope this helps! Keep me posted....

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D.C.

answers from Dallas on

If she's not losing weight it probably is not as bad as you think. My oldest son spit up the size of dinner plates. It was awful and I was so freaked out. But he kept gaining weight so we knew he was still getting enough. We tried the baby gas medicine, which worked for a while, but it only works as you are feeding so I would give it at the begining or end of the feeding. It got bad enough we had to go on some prescription medicine, but that pretty much solved the problem and I felt better. There are some instances where the valve at the bottom of the stomach doesn't close properly and surgery is needed, but it doesn't sound like you've got that problem, but I'm also not a doctor.

Good luck. I would probably give my doctor's office a call and/or get her seen just in case a little baby zantac could solve the problem.

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M.W.

answers from Dallas on

Hi Chasity,

My son went through this as well. However, his doctor said that as long as he wasn't experiencing any discomfort it was ok. I tried everything from changing my diet, feeding him less and more often, to making him wait a set amount of time between feedings. Nothing worked. IT ALWAYS seemed that he spit up way more than he ate, but has grown out of it into a healthy four year old boy! I would ask your doctor... could be the switching between breast/bottle is too hard on his little tummy. Breast milk is much easier to digest than formula and if you're feeding him both in the same day, that could be the root of his problem... just my thoughts. Best wishes for you and your little one.

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L.L.

answers from Dallas on

Hello Chasity,

I had the same problem with my daughter almost a year ago. It was like she was throwing up and everything she ate formal or breast milk. I took her to the doctor finally and it was acid reflux. She was on the medicine for about two months or so. It slowly decreased but it wasnt the best ever. But it is okay and they gave her meds so that she wouldnt burn her esphogus. Hope this helps.
L.

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R.M.

answers from Dallas on

Chasity,
Have you changed the amount she's taking? We had tons of spitting up trouble that is just now starting to let up, and one of the times the problem was that my son was eating too much, by an ounce or so, but his little tummy just couldn't hold it. Also, when he was about 4 mos old, he actually developed reflux, so the doc says. Our pediatrician said that sometimes they'll develop it then and it will taper off after 6 months or so, but he also had a lot of fussiness when eating and when laid down....so if she's not doing that then maybe not? It also helped us a lot to make sure he gets a burp out every ounce 1/2, even if he doesn't think he needs it, it keeps him from having lots of milk on top of the "bubbles." Hope that all helps! --from another mom usually smelling of spit up...
He also got better after starting solids...

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H.G.

answers from Dallas on

If it's reflux, the doc may want to prescribe something. If you want to go the natural route, mangosteen juice works miracles. You can buy it at a health food store.

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

At 4 & 1/2 months my son started spitting up too. My Dr rec smaller amounts of milk more often. Now it is a pain to have to feed him every 2 hours, but I feed him much smaller bottles and so far, so good!
Hope this helps!

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S.W.

answers from Dallas on

I agree with the poster who said to try other things before jumping on the "reflux wagon". As long as she is gaining weight and doesn't seem to have any other health issues, there isn't anything wrong with spitting up. Sometimes babies just get too much in their tummy and once and that's the body's natural way of relieving the pressure. Try changing your eating habits/diet a bit or even try changing the angle at which she feeds (either bottle or breast). Try pumping and giving through a bottle if formula doesn't help or if breast feeding angle change doesn't help.

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P.B.

answers from Tyler on

She may have reflux. This can be releaved with a mild, baby acid contoller. Please read this advice that I have posted for a few other moms before:

"My 2nd spit up too. From day one he did. I got scared once when he was about a month old and he threw it ALL up. I took him to the pedi. I was given the following advice:

-Never wait TOO long between feedings during the day (even if he is napping).

-After eating, do not allow him to lay down FLAT. Prop him up in a swing, bouncer, etc. to allow gravity to help hold down the food. (He still spit up, but not as bad.)

-When you start solids, don't give "sharp" or spicy foods on an empty stomach."

I hope it helps.

Blessings,

P. <><

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

In my experience as a mom of two boys, I think it is normal for babies to spit up and sometimes spit up a lot. Both my boys spit up after every feeding for the first 6 months or so. I have used bottle after bottle of Resolve carpet cleaner. I talked to the doctor when my first son was a baby and he told me unless it was projectile vomiting then it was considered normal. I think a new baby like yours just takes a while to adjust. Their systems are new and delicate. Good luck to you and congratulations on your new baby!!

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C.T.

answers from Lubbock on

Sounds like it could be reflux. I'm not a physician but my daughter who is now four had the same symptoms and didn't "grow out of it" until she was about a year old. She was placed on medication to help with her symptoms and it did well. Below is some basic info that I pulled from the Internet that might be helpful. Good luck and God Bless!

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) is a medical term doctors use to describe a condition where food and stomach acid flow back up (reflux) into the esophagus. A ring of muscles at the bottom of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens and closes to allow food to enter the stomach. The LES opens to release gas after meals.

More than gas may escape, however. The LES may also allow stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus and out the mouth. Parents often see the result as spitting up, though vomiting may also occur. GER can occur at times other than during or shortly after a feeding. Reflux can occur when babies cough, cry, or strain also.

GER is common in infants and has its own name -- spitting up. Reflux occurs during the first three months of age in more than half of all infants.

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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

that could be a lot of different things. she could have a little stomach bug, she could be developing reflux, maybe developed an allergy to her formula(you don't mention if she's breastfed or formula fed....). if you're concerned, run her into the pediatrician tomorrow and see what they think. they may recommend a different formula, you cutting things out of your diet if you breastfeed, or they may put her on something for reflux. good luck!

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A.A.

answers from Dallas on

I remember a time when my daughter was spitting up alot and it ended up being gas. I didn't think she was "ready" for gas medicine so I got her some herbal kind (from Walgreens) it had camomille in it with Winnie the Pooh on the front. It helped and it was natural. Good luck!

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

Everyone has given you great advice!

I just wanted to add that maybe you should try stopping feeding her to burp her every 2 ounces or so, it could just be air bubbles that are pushing everything up with it.

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G.W.

answers from Dallas on

I would say that after 2 days, it may be that she just doesn't feel good. Give her 5 more days and if it's still bad go to your doctor and talk to him/her about reflux. Give your little girl a few days to feel better. She may end up getting better all on her own. I know it's easy to freak out when a sudden change happens, but remember she's a little person too. Like one day you may wake up and just not feel good - she can have that too. My suggestion would be to wait and see, and monitor her behavior. If she's alert, no temp, and sleeping peacefully then no big worries. GOod Luck!

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