If you’re a new parent, baby spit-up (or posseting) is a reality. One minute your baby is calm and the next there’s milk all over your shoulder, your shirt, and somehow the couch too. But how do you know if it’s normal spitting-up or actual vomiting that needs attention?
What’s the difference between spitting up and vomiting?
It’s not always easy to know whether your baby is spitting up or vomiting, because both can look like milk coming back up. A helpful clue is the way it happens.
Spit-up is usually gentle and slow. It may happen during a feed, right after, or when your baby burps. It often just leaks or trickles out of the mouth (sometimes called a “wet burp”) and many babies carry on as if nothing happened.
Vomiting is different. It usually happens with more force, and your baby may look uncomfortable or unsettled. The milk might look more watery, or it can look curdled or lumpy, because it has mixed with stomach juices. You may also notice a bit of coughing, gagging, or retching just before it happens.
Why do babies spit up so much?
Spit-up can happen more often if your baby:
- Feeds too quickly
- Swallows air during feeding
- Is overfed (even unintentionally)
- Has a sensitive tummy
- Is laid down flat right after feeding
- Is very active right after feeding (wiggling, bouncing, tummy pressure)
What’s normal spit-up?
Spit-up is usually normal if:
- Baby is feeding well
- Baby is gaining weight
- Baby has normal wet nappies
- Baby seems happy and alert
- Spit-up is not forceful
When spitting-up might be a problem
- Baby seems in pain during or after feeds
- Baby arches their back and cries often after feeding
- Baby refuses feeds regularly
- Baby is not gaining weight well
- Baby coughs, chokes, or wheezes during feeding
- Baby has frequent hiccups plus obvious discomfort
Spit-up might look dramatic, but in most cases, it’s simply part of normal baby development. As your baby grows, their digestion matures, and the spitting up usually improves on its own. You can also read our article on “Preventing Vomiting and Tummy Troubles in Baby”. If you’re unsure, trust your gut and talk to a healthcare professional.
References
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/spitting-up
https://www.babycenter.com/health/conditions/vomiting-in-babies_9955
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9693-feeding-your-baby-the-first-year
https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/baby-vomiting-no-fever
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/spitting-up-in-babies
