Happy Spitter???

Wow. I'm surprised that so many moms said to check with a specialist. Some kids spit up a lot, and some don't. It's _usually_ as simple as that. My daughter does - she was breastfed and spit up constantly. I mean so much that it often hit the floor and made a puddle. My husband was a nervous wreck about it, so we talked to a lot of people about it. Her Dr, our lactation consultant, as well as everyone we know that we talked to about it, just said that some kids do and some don't (the lactation consultant also used the term "Happy Spitter" :). Katie did, but she's eight months now, and she's getting a lot better ever since she started solid foods. Now we're down to about once or twice a day, and a lot less quantity of spit up. As long as she isn't projectile vomiting (where it's a very large quantity that travels a good distance), I wouldn't worry too much. Try burping her more often and maybe using simethecone (mylicon drops)- this helped a lot with Katie. Hang in there - it does get better once they start solids. Dr. said it should clear up by 1yr.

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Hi C.,
I too have a happy spitter and drooler, a wonderful little 6 month old girl, who has spit up on everyone she has ever met! We tell people she comes with a warning - Im cute and I spit up!I too was worried about this and called everyone I could think of besides testing her, but they all said the same thing, some babies spit up alot (remember that the spit up is a combination of formula and saliva/drool, so even though it might seem like the whole bottle has come up its not the case)and not to worry about it unless she's crying immediately before or after the spit up and as long as its not a projectile vomit then its ok. We have tried giving her smaller meals but that just didn't work, since she was crying because she was still hungry. We ended up putting her on Enfamil AR which has helped a little (we think), and she uses the Dr Brown bottles. We have tried burping her throughout her bottle feedings, but that never helped, almost seemed to make it worse. Even at 6 months she still spits up after every bottle (sometimes not immediately - I think she likes to surprise us). Now we playing the waiting game, after she's done we sit her completely up and she burps herself then we wait a minute or two longer and sure enough she will spit up (most of the time). I asked her pediatrician about doing this and he said if that works for her then go for it, you shouldn't have to feel pressured to do what every one else says or does, go with what you feel is right and what helps your baby. (boy was it nice to hear that!) She is also in daycare and they dont complain here, they actually let me know if she was having a good day or not, a good day is when we get by only using 3-4 bibs and 2 outfits. Im shocked to say the least that your daycare is complaining about her, I would honestly look for another provider who would be more understanding that each baby has different needs. Also if they're saying she is unhappy and hungry all the time, but when she's at home she's a happy baby, there could be an issue with the daycare, meaning she's not getting enough attention or possibly feedings.
I still keep my fingers crossed that she will grow out of this sooner rather than later as she has a keen sense that its time to spit up on mom after I've dressed for work and heading out the door :)
Good Luck!
I forgot to mention that even though she spits up alot she is a healthy baby weighing in at 16lbs and 27inches, so dont be too concerned with her weight if your pediatrician said she is growing fine. One thing you never mentioned if she was eating or hungry alot, up until last month we were still needing to feed our daughter every 2 - 2 1/2 hours unless she was napping or its was nightime. I've noticed a slight improvement with her now being on solid foods (she doesn't spit up after food, not unless I combine food then a bottle).
Once again - good luck and stay dry! :)

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My 4 year old son was the same way. He was the "mad puker" from about 2 months until about 6 months old. We changed formulas multiple times, were extra cautious about not moving him around too much, burped him a hundred times during feedings, etc. Nothing helped. He went to an allergist and was tested for allergies. None. No acid reflux. And no cholic. He wasn't fussy either. He just threw up a lot. And then he just grew out of it.
If you've done the testing, seen the professionals, and tried the right formulas, and your 'mommy instinct' is telling you that she's happy but puking, then maybe she is just a "happy spitter" like my boy was. If the daycare is continuing to "complain" about the vomiting despite all of the medical testing you've had done, I'd wonder about THEM. Maybe they just can't handle the mess. Maybe they want perfect babies. Maybe it's time to seek a more friendly environment that will be more sensitive to your baby's needs, especially since they're temporary. She won't be on formula forever... and she won't throw up forever either.

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If she isnt fussy, it could just be that. It sounds like acid reflux, or at least sounds like what my ason had. All I did was put a tablespoon of rice into the formula for every 2ca oz. it helped alot. it didnt get rid of him spitting up, but it made it less frequent. But some daycares dont like it. My daycare told me I couldnt, so I got a note from my sons drs saying i needed to. Its worth a try to see if the rice will help stop it a little bit. or maybe hes getting too much air in his belly from the bottle. maybe try a different bottle. im just throwing out ideas that helped with my own, or other friends kids. I wish you luck!

C., I watched a baby in my home, he started out at 4months with me and boy did he ever spit up, it seemed like thats all he was doing all day. The mother took him in, no problems with reflex, changed formula about 8 times and ended up with soy but after 6 months of this FINALLY he slowed down and will only spit up a few times in the week. I don't know if it's just something some babies go thru but your daycare provider should NOT be so upset about it, it's natural for some babies to just spit up. I mean let me tell you it was never just a small amount of spit either but you deal with it, especially if you have already seen the doctor about it. Good Luck and I hope the best for you and your baby.
J.

You and I have the same problem with the spitting up baby! I take my son to a daycare and they is understanding about the spitting up after every bottle he drink. They must haven't been around very many of babies, because all babies are different. I have 4 children and all of them had different experience with growing up (from babies to the ages they are now (2)10years old and a 17 years old and my last a two month old.My son doctor advise me that after he drink a bottle sit or hold him upright for about 30 minutes before you lay him down and that have been working a little. Everyone think after a baby burp once, but if you hold him upright they will burp about 2 more times.

My baby (5 mos) spits up a lot too (at least 6-10 times per day), but she is breastfed. I have been told that this is normal in some infants and nothing to worry about by 3 different pediatricians. My concern is that your daycare provider is complaining about it and stating that she is unhappy. I would question if this is the right care provider for you. Babies spit up, it can be a little yucky, but someone experienced with and good at caring for infants should not be "complaining" about a normal infant behavior. Also, if your baby is so unhappy when she is in their care I would question why she is unhappy. If she is happy at home, there could be a good reason why she is unhappy there. It could be a red flag. I don't know anything about your childcare provider, but your letter definitely sent up a warning flag for me.

My daughter spit up all the time. Because of other issues, she was also not the chubbiest baby. She's a wonderful healthy 18 month old now.
That said, if you feel it is a problem, trust your insticts and get a second opinion.

I would try nutramigen. it worked for sam who is 8 months and on zantac 2x a day. it has gotten better now that he is also on solids. he was born 5lb and 15 oz. so he is tiny too.
the day-care also told me about the spitting up ands i told them that he has the nebbie, which my doctor told be relaxes the body (like for asthma which is what the liquid is). have you tried dr brown's bottles? that also helped.not as much air gets in.
let me know if i can help.
e-mail me if you need anything.
L.

Second opinion!!! My daughter spit up constantly until she was diagnosed w/acid reflux and an allergy to the protein in formula. She was placed on a hypo-allergenic formula and put on Zantac and she stopped spitting up and wasn't fussy anymore. I would definitely see another doctor I've never heard of such a thing!

My son had the same problem. He used to basically throw up eveything that he ate all the time. Dr's did test but found nothing. He did it from the time that he was an infant until he was almost 3 years old. Still to this day no one really know why. I would suggest a second opinion though. If she is not gaining weight and is still hungry then there needs to be something else done. Finally, my son just stopped on his own at almost 3. He is now almost 4 and weight 61 lbs and is 44 inches tall. The only difference with my son is that he has always been pudgy along with the throwing up so I was not as worried. Just annoyed with having to clean up meals more than once.

I would get a second opinion and or take her to a gastro specialist. Something is going on with her. She could have a milk allergy or a problem with her stomach and you need to explore those before settling on the fact that this is the way she is. If she is fussy and throwing up as much as you say that isn't a normal thing for a healthy baby PERIOD. It's is normal for them to spit up from time to time or if they are too full, but if she's doing this as much as you say. I'd get another doctors opinion and have an ultrasound done. If anything it will give you peace of mind and maybe find a solution to the episodes.
Bless her heart I am sure she's not feeling well with all of that going on.
Good Luck!

I highly recommend taking your baby to a pediatric gastrointerologist asap to be sure whether or not there is a problem.

My daughter, breastfed until 8 months and now formula fed is a "happy spitter." My doctor, like yours said that some babies just are. You've already heard about keeping the baby upright after feeding for 30 mins. Sometimes my daughter would spit up an hour after a feeding! When I switched to formula, it stayed about the same. I had a sample container of soy formula that I tried and her spitting up GOT WORSE. After sampling, I've discovered that a 1/3 soy and 2/3 regular formula works best for her... strange, but spitting up has almost stopped.
Good luck.

C. -

I would seriously consider a second opinion. What you described does not sound right and if she's hungry and unhappy, then something is up.

Best of luck to you.

MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT CHUNKY OR FAT AND SHE WAS PERFECTLY HEALTHY! IT JUST MEANT THAT I DIDN'T FEED HER EVERY TIME SHE CRIED. SOMETIMES A CRY MEANS SOMETHING ELSE. I DIDN'T HAVE TOO BAD OF A PROBLEM WITH THE SPITTING UP, BECAUSE I WAS BREASTFEEDING UNTIL 9 MONTHS. WHAT I DID DO TO PREVENT IT THOUGH, WAS BURB HER (TOO OFTEN OTHERS WOULD SAY) ALOT DURING FEEDINGS. EVEN IF SHE STILL WANTED TO EAT, SHE BEGAN GETTING USED TO THE BREAKS. IT HELPED MAKE ROOM FOR MORE MILK AND VANISHED THE SPIT UPS. ALSO, JUST AN IDEA, YOU MAY COULD GET A SMALLER NIPPLE SO SHE DOESN'T EAT SO FAST. MY FRIEND'S DAUGHTER HAD A SPIT UP PROBLEM AND THE DOCTOR GAVE HER MEDICINE THAT HELPED WONDERS. MAYBE A SECOND DOCTOR'S OPINION. AS FOR THE DAYCARE, I WOULD BE FURIOUS AND WOULD CHANGE UP. THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A JOB THAT THEY APPLIED FOR AND NOW THAT THEY ARE COMPLAINING, THEY ARE PROBABLY GIVING LESS ATTENTION TO HER THAN SHE DESERVES.

My dtr used to spit up alot and the Dr. told me some babies just spit up more than others--But we later discoverd she was allergic to Cows' milk-try switching her to a soy based formula
or the hypoallergenic formula (not sold in stores, you have to special order them from the manufacturer.
Hope this helps.

Hi C.,My son who is now 13 months had the same problem.The doctor told me it was a from of acid refulx.After you feed her try elevating her left arm and rub your hand up her back and side. Don't pat her on the back. This worked for me.My niece who is 12months had a more severe case.They also tried ever formula out there.She has finally out grown it too. maybe it geneic because my brother had it when he was a baby.You may want to elevate her matress.Tummie drops worked sometimes too. Is you daycare in fort myers? I also had a problem with a church daycare. Let them know there is so such thing a spoiling a baby!Infants need touch and lots of love to feel secure and and it helps them grow and thrive.I hope this helps you. S.

Stay on yop of your ped, let them know that something is not right and that you want to work on this. I am fortunate because our doctor really listens to me. My daughter was spitting up like that at 2 mos on and they put her on medication for it. That may be why she prefers to be held, babies with GERD prefer upright position. Best of luck to you!

I would definately get a second opinion because it doesn't seem right that a child would be happy spitting up all the time. As for the daycare, I wouldn't worry about them they just don't want to deal with. I would tell them what the doctor said and leave it at that. Also, I wouldn't worry too much about the baby's weight. They have done studies recently that show a lot of babies today are over weight and the weight problem for babies is getting a lot worse. In my daughter's daycare there were a lot of "rolly-polly" babies as well and I would say some of them were definately overweight and not healthy. They had a much tougher time trying to raise their upper bodies, and walk because of the weight. My daughter has always been on the slim side and I use to spend a lot of time worry about her weight (she is in the 3 percentile) but now I just relax and let her eat when she is hungry and how much she wants. As long as your baby isn't hungry I wouldn't worry about how much she weighs.

My grandson who will turn three (3) shortly did the same thing for almost the first 9 months of his life. Only he more like spewed everywhere. It was also a problem when I took him to the church nursery. They just were not used to it either so I finally wound up staying with him most of the time. He also is very spoiled. We did not have him in real daycare until after he turned one as I could not find anyone who would take him under those circumstances so his mommy stayed home with him. I helped on the weekends and during the week - he spit quite a bit and it was difficult on his parents - they just did not know what to do either. I just gave him enough food until I felt he had an adequate amount in his tummy. We like you tried everything and nothing made a difference. Just patience - she eventually will grow out of it. All in all though he was a good baby as well.

One other item - he was pretty big - the doctor did not seem concerned with his weight - he was 10 pounds when he was born. I just worried he would lose a lot - never seemed to just did not put on large amounts of weight but what the doctor felt was normal.

I know that my son had the exact same thing happining to him. I found these bottles called Dr. Browns and they are GREAT! HE was eating more and was not spitting up as much. I started the bottles when he was 3 mths and he is now 5 mths and I think he has spit up 5 times since I started them. Best of luck!

A.

C.,
We need to get with one formula and stay with it. Switching can make it worse. Her body has to adjust. Maybe feed her less at one time but more times than usual. Giving 2 ounce feedings rather than one four ounce sitting. Split it. Feed two ounces wait 5 or 10 minutes and feed the other 2. Something like that. Or 3 two ounce feedings. I think you get the idea.....

I have to tell you that I know it is frustraiting!!! My child didnt spit up once I changed her to soy formula but I know that you said you already tried that...some things you might try is make sure you are using bottled water, it may be the water not the formula also maby watering it the formula down like using more water per scoop of formula. As far as being kind of stuck with the day care you are using I hear you on that I am a single mom with only my income too..wich trust me is never enough! Also another thing, try feeding her less she may be too full and just crying cause she is used to having a bottle at a cetain time..or if thats not the case try giving her less but more often...I dont know if any of theese things will work or if you have tried them...but they were all I could think of just hang in there she will be off the bottle befor you know it and then you wont even remeber this...good luck!