Other topics |
Regurgitation and Spitting Up |
Regurgitation and Spitting Up |
Definitions |
Regurgitation is the return of undigested food from the stomach and is usually accompanied by burping. Spitting up is dribbling of unswallowed formula from the infant's mouth immediately after a feeding. |
The return of small amounts of food after a feeding is a common occurrence during infancy. It should not be confused with actual vomiting, which can be related to various conditions that may be insignificant or serious. It is usually harmless, but persistent regurgitation indicates that a medical evaluation is needed to check for more complex problems. |
Explanation |
Burp frequently during and after feeding. To check if an infant has burped, place one hand on the infant's abdomen and the other hand on his back and gently jiggle the child. If a splashing sound is not heard, the infant has burped. Handle the infant minimally at feeding time and afterwards. Keep the infant in an upright position after feeding, or place him on his right side with his head slightly elevated. Sometimes frequent dribbling of formula causes sore, red areas at the corners of the mouth, chin, and neck. Keeping the area dry promotes healing but can be difficult to maintain. Apply a thin film of Vaseline or A&D Ointment to the affected areas after cleansing, and use absorbent non-plastic lined terry cloth bibs which are changed frequently. |
Minimizing spitting up and regurgitation |
