Spit up and vomit in babies, what's the difference?

Your baby has just finished feeding, and it won't be long before he spits the milk out of his mouth. Is he vomiting? Or is he spitting up? What's the difference between spitting up and vomiting?

What is spit up?

Spitting up is a normal condition that most babies experience in the first three months of life and stop at the age of 1 year. Normally, there is a valve between the esophagus and the stomach that functions so that food that has entered the stomach does not rise upward. When the valve opens, food will enter the stomach and when the valve is closed, food cannot come back up again. This valve function is not perfect in babies.

In addition, babies have a small stomach size. This causes the food that has been entered and then comes out again which is called gastroesophageal reflux or better known as spit up.

What's the difference between spitting up and vomiting?

Babies who spit up will usually look like healthy babies in general. She can eat well and gain weight normally. The milk that comes out of its mouth usually flows by itself.

Unlike the vomiting baby. Babies who vomit look so painful and fussy that they lose weight. The baby seems to be trying to get milk out of his mouth when he vomits.

Tips for preventing spitting up in babies

1. Make sure your baby is in an upright position

After the baby drinks milk, position your baby in an upright position for 30 minutes. Avoid placing the baby on the swing or directly playing with the baby after feeding

2. Don't give too much milk

Give your baby small amounts of milk but often.

3. Burp your baby

Burping can remove air in the stomach, thus preventing the baby from spitting up.

4. Avoid pressure on your baby's stomach after he drinks milk

After the baby drinks milk, avoid pressure on the baby's stomach. Give him a 30 minute pause after he feeds, then you can put him in his seat.

5. Let your baby sleep on their back

To reduce the risk of occurrence Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)aka the baby dies while sleeping, place the baby on his back when sleeping. Prone position when sleeping to prevent spitting up is not recommended.

What is abnormal spitting up like? Immediately take it to the doctor!

Spit up is a normal condition experienced by babies. However, if your baby looks sick, refuses to breastfeed, does not gain weight, the milk that is released changes color to greenish / yellowish / brown like blood, choking, coughing, difficulty breathing, take your baby immediately to see a doctor. Spitting up with these signs is an abnormal spit up and the cause must be sought for treatment.

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