It is pretty normal for babies to split up. It happens because the esophageal sphincter at the lower end of the esophagus is still in its developmental stages. So, it is not able to close up as it should and prevent the reflux of digested food in the stomach back up.
To also understand when infant children are supposed to stop spitting up and other related facts, it will help if you continue to read this International Health Alliance welfare article. So, keep reading to get expert pediatrics answers to your most likely questions on this subject.
At What Age Should Your Child Stop Spitting Up?
The age when infants are supposed to stop spitting up is not the same for all, as there is no universal formula. For some, it is quick, while it is slow for some, but always a progressive process for all children.
By and large, the infant habit of spitting up involuntarily should stop between 10 months to 12 months. It can be as early as between 5 months to 7 months for some. Regardless of when the child stops spitting up, know that your baby will outgrow it eventually.
Can Infant Spitting Up be Abnormal?
More often than not, babies spitting up is a normal occurrence. This is because the muscles meant to stop acid reflux back through the esophagus are not a hundred percent functional. So, having your baby spit up from time to time is one of those things that you have to deal with as a parent. There is usually no need to get worked up when babies are spitting up digested breast milk or baby food.
However, there are situations in which spitting up is abnormal. In some cases, it might be one of the symptoms of an underlying health complication such as GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). To this end, parents need to be very observant and seek medical care from a pediatrician at a good clinic.
For the record, this is a doctor with a specialty in pediatrics – the medical facet that focuses on the welfare of children and pregnant women. The following are clear indications that the situation is more than just spitting up and that a pediatrician’s services need to be sought:
- Vomiting rather than spitting up – There is a clear difference between a baby vomiting and spitting up. Vomiting involves more force and much more digested food is let out
- Weight loss
- When your baby repeatedly refuses feedings – This is not a one-off feeding challenge but a frequent occurrence
- Symptoms of illness – Which may or may not include breathing difficulties
- Incessant crying and symptoms of irritability
- Spitting up weird content – Examples include yellow fluid, green fluid, or even blood
- Clear signs of blood in your baby’s stool
- Diapers not getting as wet as before
Do not resort to resolving things yourself if you notice any of these signs. For example, we did come across an article discussing how CBD is good for addressing some of these health concerns. We strongly discourage you from administering it to infants.
The best thing would be to seek medical advice and/or care from your pediatrician. This way, the situation can be medically reviewed and proper measures can be taken in the best interest of your baby.
Can You Reduce the Rate at Which Your Baby Spits Up?
While you cannot rule out the fact that babies will spit up till they outgrow this involuntary infant habit, there are ways you can go about reducing the rate at which they do this. Some tips to help out include:
- Making sure that you burp your baby often – You assist your baby in letting out gas that can cause gastroesophageal reflux when you do this. Other than reducing spitting up, it can also help prevent pain caused by gassiness when you burp your baby
- Not overfeeding your baby – Don’t feed your baby too much at a stretch. Instead, it is better to feed your baby smaller amounts but more frequently
- Having your baby in an upright position – Of course, you cannot do this all the time. However, there are times when it is more important to have your baby in this position. For example, you should have your baby in an upright position for a while after breastfeeding or feeding your baby infant food
- Being mindful of what you eat while breastfeeding – Breastfeeding moms don’t only eat for themselves but for the baby being breastfed. This is because what you eat has an impact on the breast milk you produce as a nursing mother. So, discover and avoid foods that cause your baby to spit-up
We understand if you want other welfare-related content. We have more than enough for you. For example, you can read this article that discusses how men can naturally shrink an enlarged prostate.
