Should I Be Concerned If My Baby Is Spitting Up?

Mom holding baby over shoulder patting back of baby

Should I Be Concerned With My Baby Spitting Up?

Hi. This is Kaylee Cardona, a pediatric RN. And today, I’d like to discuss whether you should be concerned if your baby is spitting up. The majority of the time, the answer is no, you should not.

Is Spitting Up Normal for a Baby?

Spitting up is developmentally normal for a baby. Younger babies usually spit up more than bigger babies, and that is because the sphincter at the top of their stomach is not fully closed yet. That’s just how they are. It takes a while for that sphincter to fully close, so they spit up.

Ways to Keep Your Baby from Spitting Up

There are many ways to keep your baby from spitting up.

  • Burp your baby halfway through a bottle and then at the end.
  • If you’re nursing, burp your baby halfway through the feeding and then at the end.
  • After a feeding, keep your baby upright for about 15 to 30 minutes. If they’re a more severe spitter, it just helps your baby digest after a feeding easier.

There should be some cause for concern if your baby is not gaining enough weight though. Your pediatrician will probably discuss that with you if they notice that your baby isn’t gaining enough weight. They might look at different medications to give your baby or just recommend different feeding methods, like trying a different baby formula you might be using, suggesting using gripe water, or providing some nursing tips.

Good luck out there, parents. You’re doing a great job. Being a parent is hard work, but it’s also the best work. Hang in there!