Why Your Baby Can’t Keep His Food Down
Infants spit up. Anyone who has cared for a baby for more than an hour has observed their tendency to “send the food back.” Experienced moms and dads will take it in stride, knowing that “spitting up” is what babies do. New parents, on the other hand, may be confused or concerned.
Below, we’ll explore some of the reasons why your infant may have trouble keeping his food down. We’ll also provide some feeding tips that you can use to help him.
Common Reasons Behind The Tendency
Your baby isn’t sending his meal back because he’s unhappy with it. The fact is, he’s unable to stop it. The reason may be due to air that he has swallowed when breastfeeding. When the air escapes through his mouth, some of his meal comes with it.
Another common reason for spitting up is that babies often eat more than they can fit in their small bodies. Much like filling a bucket until it overflows, the food may simply have nowhere to go, but up. Plus, keep in mind that your infant may not be able to digest everything properly yet. He’ll get the hang of it soon. Until then, keep a napkin or paper towel handy.
Possible Ways To Help
Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can help your little one enjoy his meal while also helping him keep it down. First, try to eliminate loud noises or anything that might make him anxious while feeding. If he’s excited or nervous, he may swallow more air than usual. Also, avoid feeding him while he’s curled up or slouching; the food path can become obstructed.
Encourage him to take short breaks during his meal (some babies do this naturally). The breaks will give you a chance to burp him so excess air can be expelled before he takes more food.
Check to make sure his clothes are loose-fitting. If his diaper is fastened too tightly, the extra pressure can prevent his meal from reaching his stomach. Finally, take care not to give him too much food. A lot of babies just love to eat. You may need to help him put the brakes on.
Should You Be Worried?
New mothers and fathers might wonder whether their baby’s spitting up is a warning sign of a health issue. Unless your infant is not gaining any weight as he grows, he should be fine. That said, there is a difference between spitting up and vomiting, especially if your infant is vomiting with force. If you suspect that might be the case, call your doctor immediately. Otherwise, rest assured that your baby’s spitting up is completely normal. As his body and digestive system mature, he’ll finally learn how to keep his food down successfully.
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