About 2 weeks ago, my 4 1/2 month old, now exclusively formula-fed (been on full formula for about 5 weeks or so) baby starting rolling over both ways and scooting/army-crawling. With it came uncontrollable spitting up - we're talking going through 5 bibs or more a day and multiple outfits. Prior to his 'newfound freedom of movement' we NEVER had this problem with formula. He wears a bib anytime he's awake because I'm afraid he'll throw up at will. We don't dare leave the house (or his side) without a tub of wipes and a burp cloth (or 5).
I've been careful with burping and keeping him upright for at least 20 minutes after each feeding. It's exceptionally tough because he's a squirmy baby and trying to get him to sit still during a burping is like trying to wrestle a greased pig. Also, it's pure torture for him to have to wait the 20 minutes after feeding because all he wants to do is get on the floor and roll and scoot around.
He does not seem to be the least bit bothered by the frequent episodes of spitting up, nor is he suffering in his growth/development. I would definitely define him as a 'happy spitter'.
Very, very frustrated...any help would be appreciated.
We started feeding the baby Enfamil AR, which helped greatly. At the same time, we also introduced solid foods (rice cereal at breakfast), and will be adding veggies soon. The spit up has gone from 10-12 times a day to about 2-3 times. The downside is that we spend more time holding him upright when he'd much rather be rolling about on the floor. I think after about 2 weeks on the Enfamil AR and solids, I'll put him back down on the floor more and see how that works out. I'd rather have him learning to roll, scoot, and crawl, than be overprotective of him spitting up all the time (because it never seems to bother him).
I am w/Kristi on this one...my twins(who are now 5) were non-stop spitting up and we tried every bottle under the sun and doctor visits. Finally, we found the Dr. Brown's bottles and they were the best thing ever. I have also only feed my girls carnation good start b/c it is really gentle for them-and it doesnt smell as bad as other formulas when they spit up. Good Luck!
My son was a happy spitter, always during the day when he was active and not at night with his last bottle of formula(so we knew it wasn't an allergic reaction or a signif reflux, etc type of problem). What worked for us was always giving him 5 ounces or less during the day, Enfamil Lipil AR (added rice) and getting in a routine of keeping him fairly still with reading, mirrors, etc, to reduce the activity for a half hr or so after eating. We'd still get some spit up and gradually he even out grew that. Good luck!
When my daughter did this, my husband and I referred to it as "milking herself." It was gross, but she seemed to puke from the pressure that moving around put on her belly. We did have formula problems early on, but the spitting up that came later, with rolling and crawling, was different. She was in distress when it was the formula disagreeing with her (gas pains, bad bowel movements, belly aches). When it was the movement, she never even noticed she was doing it. If you're worried, talk to your doctor, but otherwise, just keep cleaning him up. Eventually, it does get better. (Although, at 13 months, if she gets overexcited and/or flops too hard on her belly, she still throws up. I suppose we'll never be totally without it.)
Hi Mr,
I hope you don't get this twice, something wacky happened.
Anyways, have you tried to switch bottles? We used Avent bottles with my first and had the SAME problem. I went through 4-5 outfits a day, even with bibs on. Not to mention how many bibs I had to throw out. I didn't think to change bottles at the time so I just put up with it. Well, we tried the Avent on my second, now 7 1/2 months old and swithced as soon as it started happening again. We use the Dr. Brown's and I LOVE THEM! They're a little pricier and a little more time consuming to clean but well worth it. I save the money in not having to buy new bibs and clothes/stain remover all the time. Even army crawling, she may spit up a little from the pressure on her belly but nothing a wipe can't handle.
It's a start with trying that. If changing bottles doesn't help then I would think that it's the formula. At that point I'd definitly talk to your pediatrician.
Good luck to you!
K.
Have you called your doctor? My daughter was going through a similar situation, constantly spitting up, crying, squirming and not wanting to burp. It turns out she has reflux, which the doctor put her on medication, and we have to put cereal in her bottle every time we feed her. She was taking it on the spoon, but the doctor said it works better if you thicken the formula. The spitting up has decreased a lot and she is a much happier baby!
MR:
how old is he? what is he eating?
P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com
Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone Our 5 month old has been spitting up, practically projectile vomiting since the day he was born. We go through at least 5 bibs a day and our entire house is covered. It smells like sour milk when you walk into our house because we literally can't keep up with it. We have measured the amounts and there are times when he spits up up or three ounces at a time.
We have been to doctors, including a gastroenterologist, and there is nothing they can do as long as he's gaining weight, which is very frustrating. We have tried everything. If it really bothers you, talk to your pedi, but if your baby is gaining, they will probably just tell you that he will outgrow it.
Welcome to motherhood. If it concerns you that much, talk to your pediatrician. It could be something he is allergic to or gastro reflux or could be that he is just being a 4 /12 month old moving around like crazy. Good Luck. I hope that you find the answers you need.
It could be the formula. All 3 of my kids had very good luck with Carnation Follow-up(4 months and older). It is specifically made for less spitting up. My babysitter had one boy who was like your son. She switched him to Carnation for one day and there was a dramatic difference!! It is worth a try. And Carnation tends to be cheaper than most brand name formulas also. Good Luck.
it could be GERD, try to talk to your dr.
My son was the same way! We switched his formula to one made for babies who spit up a lot - I think it was Enfamil...something (sorry, its been 4 yrs now), but it says on the can that its formula to help reduce spitting up. It didn't knock it out completely, but it did help. We still did the bibs, burp cloth & wipes thing like you for a while - I want to say about 9 mos. or so. Hang in there - they do grow out of it. Also, could he be allergic to milk? Maybe try a soy based formula? Just a thought - ours wasn't, but you may want to try it.
Good luck!
J.
