Spitting Up/breastfeeding

Updated on September 28, 2016
J.C. asks from Newport, KY
22 answers

My son is 12 days old and has taken to the breast beautifully. However, he is spitting up frequently which started when my milk came in. I am not so concerned about the spittng up as I am that he is spitting up out of his nose as well as his mouth. My daughter spit up when she nursed but never through her nose. Has this happened to anyone else? Should I be concerned? Do I need to rush and call the doctor? Thanks for your help!

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E.S.

answers from Toledo on

My second child did this as well. It stopped on its own before too long and didn't seem to bother her.

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J.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

I breastfed my son when he was first born and he did that a lot. They say it's because they don't know how to breath really well yet and there sucking a lot in at once. My doctor told me not to worry bout it it will get better.

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S.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

It sounds like it could be oversupply or overactive letdown. My middle child actually would projectile spit-up, and it took me forever to realize that it was oversupply and how to correct it.

I'm actually nursing while typing, so I can't add much, but check out this link... http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Does he arch his back or cry before spitting up? If not, then it's probably not hurting him. Try to burp him more often. Seems like I had to burp my daughter about ever 3-5 minutes when she was that little. I felt like that's all I did! It did help though! And keep him upright for at least 30 minutes after feeding. Another thing you can do is change the hold you use while nursing. Sometimes babies get more air nursing one way than another. We could only use the football hold with my little one. Definitely mention in to your doctor at the next check-up. If he's gaining weight normally, they probably really won't do anything though. In the meantime..keep lots of receiving blankets hands. They make great burp cloths! :D

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T.W.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi Jen.
The exact same thing happened with my now 10 month old son when he was a newborn. He would spit up so badly at times it would literally shoot out of his mouth and nose. It completely freaked me out because this never happened with my older son. I had myself convinced he had something wrong like pyloric stenosis, when in fact it really was happening because my milk was letting down too quickly for his little newborn tummy to handle. It improved dramatically by the time he was about 1-1 1/2 months old. In the meantime, try to keep him upright after feedings and keep plenty of burp cloths on hand.
Good luck.
T.

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J.C.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi, Jen! Congratulations on your little man! My daughter did the same thing. I talked to the doctor, and she told me that it has two places that it can come out... the mouth and the nose. She said it's not a big deal, and that as he gets older, it will get better. The only problem with it coming out the nose, is that they tend to get stuffy. I would use a Q-Tip to clean out my daughter's nose, and it made a world of difference. Hopefully, he will outgrow the spitting up thing sooner than later. Until then, enjoy him while he's little!

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R.C.

answers from Lafayette on

We had/have the same issue with my son who is now 5 months old. It could be that he is getting too much to quickly. It also could be reflux or an intolerance to the cow's milk protein in your diet. All 3 applied to our situation. It took us awhile to realize that though, so we went through many episodes of heavy spitting, sometimes through his nose. I asked the nurse about that and she said that was normal. I did have to eliminate all dairy from my diet, which can be difficult b/c there are a lot of hidden dairy sources in food. Whey and casein and even chocolate are ingredients that have dairy in them so I need to avoid those too. I would try eliminating dairy from your diet to see if that helps. be sure to eliminate it for 7-14 days though to see if it helps because the protein can stay in your system for that long. We also have our son on zantac for the reflux which really helps his discomfort. We have the pharmacy flavor it with grape flavoring so he will take it easier. My son was gaining weight fine, so that is not the only thing to look at with reflux. The website www.kellymom.com was a great resource to me to learn about the intolerance to the bovine protein in cow's milk as well as reflux. I know it is difficult and you are going through a ton of laundry. Cloth diapers make the best burp cloths. Also, be sure to keep him upright (at a 45 degree angle, not completely upright) after feedings for at least 20 min. You can also try elevating the crib and using a cool mist humidifier, which helped us too. It made the milk stop coming from the nose. I hope that helps. Good luck. I know it can be frustrating but will get easier as his digestive system matures. :)

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C.F.

answers from Dayton on

I have a three week old and at her two week check-up, I asked the doctor about the very same thing. I, like you, didn't have this issue with my first. He said it was perfectly normal, they just eat a lot sometimes. It is upsetting to see, though!

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B.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Hello, I myself have just recently had this problem. I have a daughter who is three months old, and she was spitting up alot, and it was coming out of her nose too. Actually it seemed like it was shooting out her nose. I took her to the doctors over it and he said she would out grow it, which she is finally doing. I am also breastfeeding, and it started when she was born too. So it does go away, and it is very scary. I hope this helps you. I promise it does go away, as he gets older.

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K.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

It sounds like reflux. If he does it after nursing, try to hold him sitting up as straight as possible for 30 minutes after nursing. Don't allow him to lay flat after nursing at all for about an hour. I wouldn't rush to the doc. but next time your there in a few weeks definitly bring it up.

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A.L.

answers from Indianapolis on

It sounds like he my need more burping. Just when you think he has burped enough, strive another 10 minutes for more.

Another tip, have him burp during his typical half way point. Then there won't be so much to get through when he has to burp all he can.

Good luck & God Bless!

A.

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M.C.

answers from Cleveland on

My daughter used to spit up like that, rather like a volcano. She had reflux that required medicine and after she started Zantac, she was a different baby. She held down more of her feedings and got even better after she started solid food. I would suggest going off dairy and see if that doesn't inprove things for him. ALso talk to your doctor, maybe he needs reflux medicine to help. Good luck.

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H.B.

answers from Boston on

My BF baby started spitting up after every feeding and was getting cranky. I started drinking Babies magic tea as well as was giving it directly to my baby. After a few doses, he was fine with no more spit ups.

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B.R.

answers from Indianapolis on

My son did the same thing. He's just learning how to eat and he's taking too much in at once. He'll learn how much he can swallow at once and get in a good rhythm. I wouldn't worry about it.

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

It could be over-active letdown. Check Kellymom.com for info.

You don't need to worry unless he's 1) projectile vomiting everything he's eaten and/or 2) not gaining weight.

We burped often, only fed on one breast at a time, had him sleep in a car seat so he was up at an angle, and used those used receiving blankets as burp cloths since the burp cloths were so useless!

PM me for more info :)

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C.R.

answers from Columbus on

My daughter, who is now 3 months old, spit up during the first several weeks through her mouth and nose. The doctors indicated that as long as she did not appear in pain and that she was continuing to gain weight, not to worry. She is still a spitter but it no longer comes out her nose.

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R.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

some babies spit up through the nose, some through the mouth, some both. It doesn't mean it's worse if it comes from one place or another. When older children are drinking milk, and then start laughing, some spit up through their nose, some their mouth,etc. Different doctors treat reflux differently. In general, if your child is gaining weight and not in pain when they spit up, it is just a laundry problem. Personally, I carried receiving blankets since they were larger and I could just rotate it to a clean spot.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your new family, Good luck.
R.

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J.K.

answers from Columbus on

I wouldn't be concerned about it unless he seems uncomfortable or if he's not gaining weight. I have 3 kids and all of them have spit up from breast feeding differently. My 2 1/2 month old is the projectile spit-upper. :) Just talk to your doctor about it when you go next, but I am pretty sure as long as he's gaining weight and seemingly happy then everything is fine.

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J.S.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi Jen-

Congratulations on your new little one! My son is almost 6 months old and did the same thing when he was a newborn. It completely freaked me out (he's my first) and I was not sure what to do. It didn't happen all the time, but when it did it seemed uncomfortable to him. This happened off and on for a few months and then it stopped. I'm not sure if it was due to him getting used to eating and getting too much milk, or what, but it did eventually stop. Checking with your doctor is never a bad idea, maybe they will have a better explanation of why that occurs. Enjoy your new baby-take time to smell those new baby smells and linger a few minutes more!

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L.D.

answers from Columbus on

I think you will find that she out grows this. While I never had that issue with my son, my daughter did it. I was concerned about the quantity that she was spitting up but the pediatrician wasn't concerned. She said she would consider it if she was spitting up/throwing up at every feeding. At any rate, it went on for her first month or so and then stopped!

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S.W.

answers from Toledo on

Jen
My grandson was only 5 days old and being breast fed and spitting up. My daughter used a product from shaklee to clear it up. Her ped wanted to put him on adult mylanta and then a perscription and ultimately surgery was the plan. She used the all natural products and this little boy is two and a half and never had another episode. It is worth trying as opposed to put your little one on all kind of nonsense. please contact me for any more info. Good Luck
S.

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K.Z.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi Jen,

congrats on the new baby and on breastfeeding!

Sounds like lots of moms have been through this. You could also contact La Leche League.

If you decide to cut dairy out of your diet, I have heard that it can take 3 weeks to clear from your system so be patient.

Good luck!

K. Z.

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