Home » Misc » Baby spits out formula while feeding

Baby spits out formula while feeding


Formula Feeding FAQs: Some Common Concerns (for Parents)

Whether you plan to formula feed your baby from the start, want to supplement your breast milk with formula, or are switching from breast milk to formula, you probably have questions.

Here are answers to some common questions about formula feeding.

Is it Normal for My Baby to Spit Up After Feedings?

Sometimes, babies spit up when they have eaten too much, burp, or drool.

Many infants will spit up a little after some — or even all — feedings or during burping because their digestive tracts are immature. That's normal.

As long as your baby is growing and gaining weight and doesn't seem uncomfortable with the spitting up, it's OK. The amount of spit-up often looks like more than it actually is.

But spitting up isn't the same as forcefully vomiting all or most of a feeding. Vomiting is a forceful ejection of stomach contents. Spitting up is a more gentle flow out the mouth or nose.

If you're concerned that your baby is vomiting, call your doctor. Keep a record of exactly how often and how much your baby is vomiting or spitting up. In rare cases, there may be an allergy, digestive problem, or other problem that needs medical care. The doctor should be able to tell you if it's normal or something of concern.

How Can I Keep My Baby From Spitting Up?

If the doctor says your baby's spitting up is normal, here are some things you can do to help lessen it:

  • Burp your baby after your little one drinks 1–2 ounces from a bottle.
  • Don't give the bottle while your baby is lying down, and keep your baby’s head above their feet.
  • Keep your baby upright after feedings for at least 30 minutes. Holding your baby is best. The way your baby sits in an infant seat can make spitting up more likely.
  • Don't jiggle, bounce, or actively play with your baby right after feedings.
  • Make sure the hole in the nipple is the right size and/or flow for your baby. For example, fast-flow nipples can make babies gag or may give them more milk than they can handle at once. Many breastfed babies do well with a slow-flow nipple until they are 3 months old, or even older.
  • Raise the head of your baby's crib or bassinet. Roll up a few small hand towels or receiving blankets (or you can buy special wedges) to place under (not on top of) the mattress. Never use a pillow under your baby's head. Make sure the mattress doesn’t fold in the middle, and that the incline is gentle enough that your baby doesn’t slide down.

Most babies grow out of spitting up by the time they're able to sit up.

How Do I Know If My Baby Has an Allergy?

Some babies are allergic to the protein in cow's milk formula. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • belly pain
  • rash
  • blood or mucus in the baby's poop

If your baby has any of these symptoms, tell your doctor. Also talk to the doctor before switching formulas.

If your baby has symptoms of a severe allergic reaction — like sudden drooling, trouble swallowing, wheezing, or breathing problems — see a doctor right away.

Is Soy Formula Safe for My Baby?

Store-bought iron-fortified soy formula is safe and nutritionally complete. Doctors usually recommend soy-based formulas if:

  • Parents don’t want their babies to eat animal protein. 
  • A baby has congenital lactase deficiency, a rare condition where babies are born without the enzyme needed to digest lactose. Lactose is the main sugar found in cow’s milk.
  • A baby is born with galactosemia, a rare condition where babies can’t digest galactose. Lactose is made up of glucose and galactose. 

Many babies who are allergic to cow's milk also are allergic to the protein in soy formulas, so doctors usually recommend hypoallergenic formulas for these infants.

Soy formula is a good alternative to cow's milk formula for full-term babies (those born at 39 weeks or later). Soy formulas are not recommended for premature babies. Talk to your doctor if you are considering a soy-based formula for your baby.

Do not try to make your own formula at home. Online recipes may look healthy and promise to be nutritionally complete, but they can have too little — or too much — of important nutrients and cause serious health problems for your baby.

Is it OK to Switch to a Different Formula?

It’s probably OK to switch brands of the same kind of formula. For example, parents might buy another brand of cow’s milk formula because it’s on sale or to see if it helps with constipation, or switch to an organic formula because they’re concerned about pesticides.

But before switching formulas, talk to your doctor. Some parents may think that formula plays a part in a baby's fussiness, gas, spitting up, or constipation. But that’s not usually the case. Your doctor can help find out what may be causing these symptoms and recommend the right formula for your baby.

Do I Need to Give My Formula-Fed Baby Vitamins?

No. Commercial infant formulas with iron have all the nutrients your baby needs. Babies who are drinking less than about 1 quart (1 liter) of formula will need a vitamin D supplement.

Does My Baby Need Fluoride Supplements?

Babies do not need fluoride supplements during the first 6 months. Your doctor may recommend fluoride supplements when your baby is 6 months to 3 years old, but only if fluoride is not in your drinking water.

Is it OK to Prop a Bottle in My Baby's Mouth?

Never prop your baby’s bottle. Your baby can choke drinking from a propped bottle. Propping a bottle also can lead to ear infections and tooth decay. Always stay with and hold your baby during feedings.

It is OK to Let My Baby Sleep With a Bottle?

Never put your baby to bed with a bottle. Like propping a bottle, sleeping with a bottle can cause choking, ear infections, and tooth decay.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD

Date reviewed: November 2021

Silent reflux, spitting milk, tongue tie?! HELP

4 answers /

Last post: 04/06/2016 at 10:07 am

Lauren C(467)

03/06/2016 at 3:46 pm

I have a 5wk old ds.

He's always had issues with spitting out milk as he's feeding. It's a lot that comes out - enough to soak through a bib and a Muslin and get on his clothes.

I've tried tommee tippee and avent bottles. Today I have tried a cheapy old fashioned style bottle. Hasn't made a difference.

Within the last week or so he's started to be unsettled after feeds (although not in the night - weirdly!) and will cry if you lay him flat, but will settle instantly when sat upright or help upright over my shoulder. It's not wind, he winds quite easily. The crying doesn't stop when you wind him.

Today for the first time the screaming has started during the feed. He is obviously hungry and so takes the milk but then it's like he realises oh yeah that hurts and cries until he is literally red in the face.

He is not often sick. Occasionally - but not nearly as much as a baby with 'normal' reflux.

Anyway, seen the health visitor who thought he had colic. I basically said I thought that was very unlikely and I thought it was reflux and explained why. She was with me until I said he wasn't often sick.

Anyway I mentioned silent reflux and she didn't seem convinced, but reccomended infant gaviscon for the milk spitting out! (Weird, but seen as it works for reflux I thought I'd go with it)

So she couldn't prescribe it but told me to see doctors. I did. I practically had to force him to prescribe it because again when I mentioned the lack of sick he looked at me like I was a mad woman.

I and going to try the gaviscon in his next bottle and hope that helps.

The issue is I can only give it to him 6 times in 24 hours. Now anyone who has ever had heartburn or acid reflux knows that it is only a temporary relief!

What the hell do I do on the feeds where I can't give it?!

I was thinking perhaps comfort milk? As gaviscon thickens I wondered if comfort milk might be a good substitute for the other feeds?!

I don't even know whether the gaviscon will work yet though!

Another thing - potential tongue tie. Hv and GP said he doesn't have it. I am beginning to think that he has.

When he cries - when he really goes for it - his tongue doesn't touch the top of his mouth. Is that normal? To be honest I haven't ever seen him sick his tongue out but I keep trying to make him do it but to no avail.

Are there any other things to look out for?!

I feel like health professionals think I'm completely bonkers and either making symptoms up or over reacting to a 'bit of milk' (as the GP put it. Er no mate it's a lot of milk!!)

Because he's gaining weight nobody is worried, but they don't hear the poor boy screaming. And because of the lack of sick they don't seem convinced of reflux

I find myself asking why has nobody ever heard of silent reflux?! I have heard of it why the hell haven't they!!

Does anyone have any experience / advice / anything?!

Has anyone got a baby with silent reflux and or tongue tie? Help me pleaaaaaase!!

Your browser cannot play this video.

Anonymous

03/06/2016 at 4:12 pm

Tongue tie signs
Heart shaped tongue
Restricted movement of tongue (often cant touch roof of mouth)
Trapped wind
Milk pouring from sides of mouth
Clicking noise
Less wet nappies
Poor weight gain
There are support groups on facebook.

Manon R

03/06/2016 at 4:32 pm

DD had silent reflux. As I bf gaviscon was not really possible as she was not taking a bottle at all.

We raised crib/cot with 2x400 page hardcover books under each front leg and had her upright after each feed for 30 minutes. A baby carrier was a necessity as it kept me free to walk around. Generally DD was more happy upright than lying down unless she was on her front.

She was also tongue tied. Only a bf councellor spotted it when she couldn't latch on when my milk came in. We managed feeding her and her weight gain was great but it was snipped when she was 9 months as she had issues with solids. She needed general anaesthetic by then so if you suspect it see ideally a bf clinic and get it done as soon as possible.

Similar threads

Anonymous

04/06/2016 at 10:07 am

In answer to

Lauren C(467)

I have a 5wk old ds.

He's always had issues with spitting out milk as he's feeding. It's a lot that comes out - enough to soak through a bib and a Muslin and get on his clothes.

I've tried tommee tippee and avent bottles. Today I have tried a cheapy old fashioned style bottle. Hasn't made a difference.

Within the last week or so he's started to be unsettled after feeds (although not in the night - weirdly!) and will cry if you lay him flat, but will settle instantly when sat upright or help upright over my shoulder. It's not wind, he winds quite easily. The crying doesn't stop when you wind him.

Today for the first time the screaming has started during the feed. He is obviously hungry and so takes the milk but then it's like he realises oh yeah that hurts and cries until he is literally red in the face.

He is not often sick. Occasionally - but not nearly as much as a baby with 'normal' reflux.

Anyway, seen the health visitor who thought he had colic. I basically said I thought that was very unlikely and I thought it was reflux and explained why. She was with me until I said he wasn't often sick.

Anyway I mentioned silent reflux and she didn't seem convinced, but reccomended infant gaviscon for the milk spitting out! (Weird, but seen as it works for reflux I thought I'd go with it)

So she couldn't prescribe it but told me to see doctors. I did. I practically had to force him to prescribe it because again when I mentioned the lack of sick he looked at me like I was a mad woman.

I and going to try the gaviscon in his next bottle and hope that helps.

The issue is I can only give it to him 6 times in 24 hours. Now anyone who has ever had heartburn or acid reflux knows that it is only a temporary relief!

What the hell do I do on the feeds where I can't give it?!

I was thinking perhaps comfort milk? As gaviscon thickens I wondered if comfort milk might be a good substitute for the other feeds?!

I don't even know whether the gaviscon will work yet though!

Another thing - potential tongue tie. Hv and GP said he doesn't have it. I am beginning to think that he has.

When he cries - when he really goes for it - his tongue doesn't touch the top of his mouth. Is that normal? To be honest I haven't ever seen him sick his tongue out but I keep trying to make him do it but to no avail.

Are there any other things to look out for?!

I feel like health professionals think I'm completely bonkers and either making symptoms up or over reacting to a 'bit of milk' (as the GP put it. Er no mate it's a lot of milk!!)

Because he's gaining weight nobody is worried, but they don't hear the poor boy screaming. And because of the lack of sick they don't seem convinced of reflux

I find myself asking why has nobody ever heard of silent reflux?! I have heard of it why the hell haven't they!!

Does anyone have any experience / advice / anything?!

Has anyone got a baby with silent reflux and or tongue tie? Help me pleaaaaaase!!

The two often go hand in hand. It's definitely worth getting it ruled out before you start medication. If you had trouble breastfeeding that could also be why! Your best bet is to go private to be honest - they are unlikely to treat u on nhs as baby is gaining weight. It's so ridiculous and short sighted because if he is tongue tied it can cause weaning and speech problems and tooth decay- lots of tongue tie babies are bottle fed because they can't breastfeed and then their tie isn't picked up-likely a major reason why 'bottle feeding' seems to cause tooth decay- actually because they can't swallow and get rid of al the milk in their mouths properly! Anyway have a look at association of tongue tie practitioners- it's about £150-200 for consultation and snip. Will be worth every penny if he has got it. GPs and health visitors are not difanosed to pass judgment - they are not trained so don't take Any notice of them! Frankly they have sod all training in infant nutrition in general- but as with anything sometimes you're lucky and they're ace- sometimes their rubbish! Here is a link to symptoms and they have a helpline
http://milkmatters. org.uk/2011 [...] your-baby/

Can't find your answer?

Popular Chat

Neonatal regurgitation after formula feeding

At least 80% of babies under the age of six months regurgitate some amount of food just eaten. This happens for various reasons, and most often it is a variant of the norm.

But since the biggest aspiration of parents during this period is weight gain in the baby, spitting up often causes real panic. The child appears to be malnourished.

Let's figure it out: what is the norm, and in what cases you need to run to the doctor.


Causes of regurgitation

First, consider the causes of regurgitation, which happens in most babies and should not cause concern to parents:

  • Immaturity of the digestive system . In an adult, a special muscular valve or sphincter is located between the stomach and esophagus. It's called Cardia. This valve prevents food from being thrown back into the esophagus. In babies up to six months, it is not sufficiently developed. Therefore, any contraction of the walls of the stomach causes regurgitation or reverse reflux. This is the absolute norm for all children. Most often, by the age of 6 months, everything passes. In rare cases, it continues until the age of one.
  • Overeating . Toddlers do not always eat as much as they need, often they eat as much as they like. And the body already regulates the required amount of food, belching the excess. This cause of regurgitation is typical for artificial children. The mixture comes through the nipple more easily than from the breast. The baby eats faster than the feeling of fullness sets in. So overeating happens.
  • Swallowing air with food . In this case, the air goes back along with the milk, and the baby spits up.
  • Gaziki and colic . They can also cause reflux. Air bubbles press against the walls of the intestines and stomach and help food return to the esophagus.
  • Increased nervous excitability . When the baby is worried, the walls of the stomach begin to contract and return of the milk eaten occurs.

Alarming symptoms that are the reason for an immediate visit to the doctor are most often accompanied by violations in weight gain, since the milk eaten is not absorbed by the body:

  • Frequent regurgitation with a fountain . It can be an indicator of lactase deficiency - in other words, indigestibility of milk. Read more about lactase deficiency in our article. Fountain regurgitation can also occur due to improper development of the baby's digestive system.
  • Regurgitation of yellowish or greenish milk . May be an indicator of an infectious disease. Or occur as a result of the reflux of bile into the stomach. The baby is likely to behave restlessly, because bile irritates the walls of the stomach.

But how to determine the cause of reverse reflux? In fact, this is not necessary! There is only one indicator that is important to monitor - this is weight gain. If your child is gaining weight normally and you are not experiencing warning signs, then there is no cause for concern. The regurgitation will stop on its own as the child grows.


Regurgitation after formula feeding

This is not to say that regurgitation after formula feeding is more common than with breast milk. However, it happens that the mixture did not fit the baby due to the characteristics of the composition.
In any case, remember that if abundant regurgitation occurs with a fountain after the mixture, then there is an indication to consult a doctor. And this must be done immediately.

The pediatrician will determine the cause. And if she is in the mixture, she will prescribe a different or special anti-reflux mixture.


How to reduce regurgitation

It will not be possible to completely get rid of the natural process of returning food, but this process can be facilitated for the baby and parents.

  • Carry your baby upright in a "column" position after feeding. So the air that he swallowed during feeding will come out faster.
  • Make sure that the baby completely captures the circumference of the nipple. Then the air will not penetrate when sucking.
  • Use anti-colic nipples when formula feeding. They are designed in such a way as to prevent air from getting inside.
  • After feeding, do not entertain the baby, let him rest for a while.
  • Try to feed a little less time to avoid overeating.
  • Give your baby a pacifier before bed to stimulate digestive activity for some time after the meal.
  • Provide your baby with more movement: exercise, massage, swimming, tactile contact, walking in the fresh air. To develop the muscular system more actively. Along with it, all internal organs will develop.

There is no drug that will reduce regurgitation. Because it is not a disease, it is either a symptom of it, or a natural process.

The only thing that can affect the amount of food returned is the use of anti-colic drugs, which reduce gas formation in the intestines. Their use is justified only if the baby is tormented by gaziki. Pay attention to the Israeli colic drug Simicol, which is suitable for babies from birth.

Rassadina Zinaida Vladimirovna, pediatrician

Why does the child spit up after feeding?

search support icon

Search Keywords

Regurgitation is a common condition in newborns and infants and is most often a normal variant. However, it is not uncommon for parents to worry if their baby is spitting up frequently, believing that it is due to nutritional or health problems in general. Sometimes these fears are not unfounded, and regurgitation really has a pathological origin. What is its cause and when should you really consult a doctor about this?

Regurgitation - Return of a small amount of food (uncurdled or partially curdled milk) from the stomach up the digestive tract: into the esophagus and further into the oral cavity. According to statistics, at least 1 time during the day can spit up at least 50% of babies from 0 to 3 months, more than 60% of children 3-4 months, and 5% of children spit up until the year 1 .

Regurgitation in newborns is considered a physiological process. It is caused by a number of factors, including:

  • Features of the structure of the upper digestive tract in babies
  • In newborns and infants up to a year of age, the stomach has a spherical shape. It holds a small amount of food, besides, the release from it into the duodenum is slower in comparison with children after the year 2 .
  • Weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter that separates the esophagus from the stomach
  • Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter should tightly "close" the esophagus, allowing food to pass into the stomach and not allowing it to enter back into the upper digestive tract. However, in young children (up to a year), the muscles of the esophageal sphincter are poorly developed, and it does not do its job very well 2 .
  • Slow movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract
  • The neuromuscular system of newborns is immature. It does not ensure the proper movement of food through the esophagus, causing regurgitation.

One of the important risk factors contributing to the appearance of regurgitation in newborns is aerophagia. This is the swallowing of large amounts of air during feedings. This happens when the baby is not properly attached to the breast, the mother has a lack of breast milk, or the bottle is in the wrong position in the child who receives the mixture. The size of the opening in the nipple also matters - if it is too large, the newborn swallows a lot of air 3 .

With aerophagia, the baby becomes capricious, restless immediately after feeding. Noticeable bloating. If the baby spits up immediately after a feed, the milk (or formula) remains practically fresh, uncurdled 3 .

Promotes post-feeding regurgitation and baby's predominantly horizontal position during the day, combined with relatively high intra-abdominal pressure 4 . Therefore, the correct position of the baby after feeding is so important. To avoid regurgitation of an excessive amount of stomach contents, after feeding, it is necessary to hold the baby in an upright “column” position for some time (10-20 minutes), lightly patting on the back and allowing excess air to “exit”.

Regurgitation in many newborns can be triggered by other situations in which abdominal pressure increases and stomach contents are thrown into the esophagus, in particular 3 :

  • tight swaddling;
  • stool disorders, in particular constipation;
  • long, forced cry and some others.

Want to avoid common feeding problems?


Start with a baby bottle with an anti-colic system that helps avoid common feeding problems such as colic, gas and spitting up*

How can you tell the difference between normal spitting up and vomiting?


Sometimes regurgitation is considered a manifestation of disorders in the digestive tract of children. Due to the constant reflux of acidic stomach contents into the upper sections, inflammation and other complications may develop, including growth retardation, a decrease in hemoglobin levels, and others. Therefore, it is important for parents to understand where the line is between physiological and pathological regurgitation 1 .

If the mother is worried that her baby is spitting up, keep track of when this happens and count the total number of spit ups per day. Normally, regurgitation usually occurs after eating (the child burps after each feeding), lasts no more than 20 seconds and repeats no more than 20-30 times a day. With pathology, the problem manifests itself at any time of the day, regardless of when the baby was fed. Their number can reach 50 per day, and sometimes more 1 .

The amount of discharge during regurgitation also matters. With normal, physiological regurgitation, it is approximately 5 - 30 ml. If this volume fluctuates between 50 and 100 ml, it is already defined as profuse vomiting. When the range of the jet of vomit is up to 50 cm, doctors talk about "vomiting a fountain." A variant of atonic vomiting is possible, when the contents of the stomach flow "sluggishly". It occurs with atony of the stomach (decrease in muscle tone of the stomach wall) and disruption of the esophagus 1 .

Vomiting in babies is a warning sign. Doctors are especially alarmed by repeated vomiting, a fountain, with an admixture of bile, in combination with constipation. Vomiting can lead to the development of dehydration, acid-base imbalance and other consequences, therefore, if it occurs, you should urgently contact a pediatrician to find out the cause and begin treatment. A doctor's consultation is necessary if the child is spitting up a lot (more than 15-30 ml at a time), with a frequency of more than 50 episodes per day 1.3 .

Physiological regurgitation: symptoms


Neonatal regurgitation, which is considered normal and not of concern to pediatricians 3 :

  • usually lasts for a certain period of time;
  • is characterized by slow, "passive" leakage; if the baby spits up a fountain, it is better to consult a doctor;
  • has a sour smell of curdled milk;
  • occurs without the participation of muscles - the baby does not strain during regurgitation;
  • does not affect the general well-being of the baby.

How to help a newborn who spit up often?


If the baby is healthy, no medication is prescribed for spitting up. To help the child allow simple measures based on lifestyle changes and feeding.

. To improve the situation, it is recommended to feed the baby more often, avoiding oversaturation, best of all - on demand 5 .

  • Correct feeding technique
    Every feeding, the mother must ensure that the baby does not swallow too much air during suckling. When sucking, there should be no loud, smacking, clicking sounds. You also need to control that the baby captures the nipple along with the areola.