Find our explanations and all our advice to better understand regurgitation and reflux in babies and how to manage them on a daily basis.
Regurgitation in babies
Regurgitation is very common in babies under 3 months old and in 95% of cases, it stops before the age of one 1 . While this phenomenon can be frightening, rest assured, it is a normal process and affects half of babies 2 ! Because we know that reflux and regurgitation can be a source of worry for new parents, we are going to share our knowledge with you to approach this situation more calmly.
Why does a baby spit up?
At birth, the infant's digestive tract and the valve ring (called the cardia) that prevents food from going back up from the stomach to the mouth are still immature. 3 This is why, just after breastfeeding or a little later, the baby may regurgitate a mixture of milk and saliva. This painless regurgitation, which does not harm the baby's growth, is also called simple gastroesophageal reflux 3 .
Some babies spit up more than others, but this usually decreases around 6 months, with the start of solid food 6 , and stops completely around 1 year. In any case, if your baby is doing well and continues to gain weight, don't worry, spit-up is mostly harmless 4 .
What to do if your baby spits up 5.6 ?
- During feeding, remember to take regular breaks to allow him to burp and expel the air that distends his stomach and promotes gastroesophageal reflux;
- Divide the amount of milk given at each meal so as not to overload his stomach;
- If your baby is not breastfed*, check that you have followed the preparation instructions on the infant milk box;
- After feeding, keep your baby upright against you and after a few minutes, if you lay him down, remember to raise his head slightly;
- Avoid putting pressure on his stomach with a diaper that is too tight, for example;
- If your child is old enough to start weaning, you can try giving him solid foods, starting of course with smooth purees, and gradually introducing pieces;
- Avoid passive smoking which can increase reflux.
Note: burping helps reduce regurgitation but is not systematic, especially when breastfeeding*.
When should you consult?
In case of significant and frequent regurgitation, and if you are not breastfeeding*, your pediatrician will probably recommend that you change your infant milk 6 .
Infant regurgitation is generally benign. However, if you notice that it seems painful and is accompanied by crying , that it is very abundant, that your baby is not gaining weight or refuses to eat , it is important to consult a pediatrician to find the cause of this regurgitation, such as gastroesophageal reflux, and thus put in place appropriate medical treatment 5 .
To your stories!
Is your baby prone to spitting up? Do you have any tips to share with other parents to help them get through this time? The #NouvelleGénérationBio community is eager to hear your unfiltered stories ! Share your experiences or concerns on our Instagram account @biostime.fr , as your answers are always informative.
*Important notice: Breast milk is the ideal and natural food for infants.
Sources:
- Bellaïche M, Bargaoui K, et al. Arch Pediatr. 2017;24(1):17-23
- Campeotto F., Hospital V., Maigret P. Poster presented at European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition meeting. Glasgow, Scotland; June 5-8, 2019; / Martigne L, Delaage PH, Thomas-Delecourt F, Bonnelye G, Barthelemy P, Gottrand F. 2012. Eur J Pediatr. 171(12):1767–73
- Born and Grow [Online] Burps and Regurgitation [Accessed 04/09/2023] Available: https://naitreetgrandir.com/fr/etape/0_12_mois/soins/fiche.aspx?doc=naitre-grandir-bebe-rot-reflux-regurgitation-gaz
- DORÉ, Nicole and Danielle LE HÉNAFF. Living Better with Our Child from Pregnancy to Two Years, Practical Guide for Mothers and Fathers. National Institute of Public Health of Quebec, Quebec
- Ameli [ Online ] Infant regurgitation: what to do? [ Consulted on 04/09/2023 ] Available: https://www.ameli.fr/rhone/assure/sante/themes/rgo-nourrisson/que-faire-quand-consulter6.Mpédia [ Online ] Infant regurgitation: is it GERD? [ Consulted on 04/09/2023 ] Available: https://www.mpedia.fr/art-diagnostic-rgo/
