Ask The Pediatrician | by Dr. Kelly Newgent

Posted on Mon, Nov 13, 2017

My baby spits up all the time. Is this normal? When should I worry?

Spitting up is one of the most common concerns for parents. Gastroesophageal reflux is the passage of stomach contents into the esophagus and is a normal physiologic process in healthy infants. Many infants have frequent episodes of spitting up throughout the day, but are otherwise growing and developing well. While frequent spitting up can be stressful for parents, we consider babies “happy spitters” as long as the episodes of spitting up are not causing distress to the infant or affecting the infant’s growth. Spitting up can be helped by slowing down feeds, frequent burping, and keeping infants upright for 20 to 30 minutes after feeds.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the passage of stomach contents into the esophagus that results in bothersome symptoms or complications for an infant. Signs that spitting up may be causing problems that would require medication include poor growth, difficulty feeding, irritability, arching of back, and grimacing. If your infant is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor to discuss possible need for treatment.

Greenwood Pediatrics Southwest
Littleton

Tags: Greenwood Pediatrics Southwest, pediatrician