- Proper Latching: Let your lactation consultant or midwife show you the right breastfeeding technique. With proper latching, your baby swallows less air while drinking, which often provides relief.
- Burping: A burp in between can relieve the stomach and allow swallowed air to escape. You don’t necessarily have to lift your baby up and pat their back for a burp — that can actually make spitting up worse. Usually, the air comes out on its own.
- Feeding Intervals: Offer your baby several smaller milk meals spread throughout the day. This way, the stomach doesn’t get too full.
- Pause: Give your baby a little rest after feeding and let them sleep instead of playing right away. This can help keep the milk in the stomach.
- Time: Plan enough time for feeding and take short breaks in between.
Bottle Feeding — Tips Against Frequent Spitting Up
- Right Nipple: When bottle-feeding, make sure the nipple size matches your baby’s age and the consistency of the formula. For thinner formula, use a smaller opening; for thicker formula, a larger one. This helps reduce swallowed air.
- Thickening the Formula: Thickening the milk can sometimes help babies who spit up a lot keep the food in their stomach.
- Prepare the Bottle Properly: Stir the formula instead of shaking it to avoid creating extra air bubbles.
Causes of Spitting Up
Spitting up happens because your baby’s digestive system is still developing and the muscle between the stomach and esophagus is often too weak to keep stomach contents down.
This is completely normal and no reason to worry as long as your baby is gaining weight normally and not in pain when spitting up.
It’s simply a fact: most babies spit up, often several times a day.
By the first birthday, spitting up almost always stops completely.
Spitting Up a Lot? What Does “A LOT” Even Mean?
Yes, that little puddle of milk on the floor looks like a lot.
You wonder if there’s even enough left in that tiny tummy?
Here’s a test: Fill a glass with just a finger’s width of juice. If you tip it over, the puddle will look like much more than what was actually in the glass!
How Big Is a Newborn’s Stomach?
The stomach of a newborn is tiny — which explains their frequent hunger cues.
But how small it really is, many parents don’t quite imagine. Want a comparison?
From the size of a hazelnut to a chicken egg!
With that in mind, it’s no surprise how often such a little human needs to feed in one day.
