Prevention of the phenomenon
Before feeding, let your baby lie on his tummy for a couple of minutes.
This is both exercise and help with colic, and an opportunity to release excess air. It is also worth monitoring the position of the head and the grip of the nipple. If it is difficult to support your baby while feeding, try using a special pillow - these are sold in all stores, but they are easy to sew with your own hands. When the baby is full, pick him up in a column and carry him like this for 15-20 minutes. Air trapped during feeding will be released as a burp.
There is no need to treat the child or rush to the doctor if the weight dynamics are positive, the baby feels well, develops and plays. Don't worry, if regurgitation occurs 1-2 times a day, it does not look like vomiting, and the volume of the returned “gruel” is approximately a teaspoon. The fact that everything is in order is also indicated by a soft tummy and normal stool without constipation or diarrhea.
It is not uncommon for a baby to spit up curdled milk. Sometimes a month-old baby spits up water. It happens that a 5-month-old baby spits up bile. Also, parents may not understand why the newborn spits up like a fountain after each feeding. The condition of babies can be very difficult to understand and can add to the already high stress levels of new parents. If your baby spits up curds, there's probably no need to worry. But there are symptoms that indicate more serious conditions, and they require attention.
Manifestations of regurgitation
By regurgitation we mean the release of stomach contents that occurs spontaneously immediately after feeding or after some time. It does not cause discomfort to the child and is not accompanied by behavioral or developmental disorders. The milk comes out unchanged or curdled (1-2 tablespoons). Regurgitating a fountain once a day in an approximate volume of 3 tablespoons is also considered the norm. Physiological regurgitation takes place up to 8–12 months.
Some parents confuse spitting up with burping or vomiting, but these are completely different processes. When burping, only air comes out with a small amount of milk flowing out in a thin stream. Vomiting is always caused by pathological reasons. It is preceded by the baby’s poor health, possible fever or manifestations of gastrointestinal dysfunction.
What to do when your baby spits up
Many mothers worry about what to do if their baby spits up? If a child constantly feels sick after feeding, you need to analyze whether he is being given food too often and too much. It is better not to overdo it in this matter, so as not to create additional problems. You should not overfeed, because this will not enhance growth and development, and digestive problems may manifest themselves in unexpected ways.
In the video, a pediatrician talks about regurgitation and how to eliminate it:
Why does an infant cry after eating? Moms always react to every hysteria accompanied by crying
But it is important to understand why this happened. The abundance of discharge and strong tremors from the inside sometimes lead to the newborn burping through the nose
However, this may be within the normal range if regurgitation does not make breathing difficult and the baby does not cry at the same time, giving signals of danger. At such a moment, it is important to make sure that the airways are clear and that nothing interferes with the free flow of air. Passing partially digested food through the nose is not dangerous. A newborn burps through the nose and mouth, and this is normal if the discharge is heavy. It is advisable to turn the baby face down so that the residue flows out calmly; if necessary, you can even lightly pat the back once or twice. If your baby spits up through his nose and cries, it may mean he is just scared. Loud crying does not always indicate danger or injury. Stroke him on the back, on the stomach, near the mouth, calm him down, and if the hysteria passes quickly, then everything is fine.
Many mothers do not know why their baby spits up breast milk and worry when they see the consequences. To prevent regurgitation, you can use standard procedures; they are safe and recommended for all infants. Before feeding, you should place the baby on his stomach and stroke his back.
Abdominal massage before and after feeding works well. All movements should be gentle, without pressure or pressure, clockwise and for several minutes. This starts the digestion process, stimulates internal organs and increases blood circulation. All this helps to better accept and retain food, rather than regurgitate it more quickly.
The first rule of feeding is that after completing the eating process, it is advisable to hold a month-old or older baby vertically for about 20 minutes, periodically massaging the back.
This will reduce the risk of excessive regurgitation of curdled milk. If one burp comes like a fountain, there is no need to panic. It is better to check whether there are any pressure rubber bands on the baby’s body, whether the clothes are comfortable - all this contributes to the rapid release of food. Tight swaddling is not recommended.
If you do not understand why the child often spits up, you can try to change the nature of rest after eating. It is recommended not to drag the baby from place to place or change his clothes immediately after feeding. If 1 month has passed and the process is still the same in intensity, you can consult a specialist. Excessive movements only intensify regurgitation after eating in newborns.
Doctor of Medical Sciences. Head of the Department of Pediatric Faculty, Moscow State Medical University. THEM. Sechenov
Mom is in a panic: after sucking the breast, the baby spits up curd. The woman cannot understand whether this is a normal situation or whether she urgently needs to run to the doctor? Is your digestive system okay? Maybe treatment is needed? First of all, calm down in order to objectively assess the situation and make the right decision. Watch the baby, notice when, what and how much the baby burped. Very often there is no reason for alarm; sometimes a mother needs to change something in her behavior or the child’s routine, and everything will work out. Be careful, learn to understand a newborn, and you will see that many phenomena that seemed like a real disaster to you do not pose any danger.
Treatment for pathological conditions
If a child spits up after each feeding, despite following all the specified rules, does not gain the required weight, or cries all the time, then it is better to consult a doctor. He will prescribe additional studies to rule out congenital pathology, dysfunction of the nervous system, and infectious intestinal diseases. In these cases, adequate treatment is necessary, often in a hospital setting. Developmental defects are treated surgically.
For persistent regurgitation, special antireflux mixtures are prescribed. They contain a thickener that keeps food in the stomach. They partially replace the prescribed amount of food, or in severe cases, the baby is transferred to such a diet completely.
It is sometimes difficult for parents to independently answer why the child spits up after feeding, and what exactly to do in a particular situation. Therefore, in order not to risk the health of your baby and not waste time, in all doubtful cases you must seek qualified help.
How to help your baby?
All babies burp; it is impossible to completely get rid of this unpleasant phenomenon. Don’t worry, every day the baby becomes stronger and stronger, his body is developing, and in a few months the digestive system will begin to function normally. This does not mean that the mother should just wait it out; do everything in your power to make the regurgitation less frequent and less frequent.
First of all, help your child get rid of the air in the stomach.
Feed your baby more often and make smaller portions so as not to overload the stomach. The baby's clothes should be loose, and diapers should not be wrapped tightly. After each feeding, hold the baby upright for about a quarter of an hour. Hold his tummy close to you and rest his head on your shoulder.
To make the air come out faster, gently pat the back. Before feeding, let your baby lie on his tummy for a while. Massage around the navel in a clockwise direction.
It is believed that diapers are a relic of the past, but after feeding it is advisable to wrap the baby. Just don't pull it too tight. A swaddled baby is not able to move too actively, and the stomach will be able to calmly digest food.
Don't forget that muscles also participate in the functioning of the digestive organs. Do physical exercises with your child, give him a massage. Exercises in water are very useful for physical development. When bathing, take your time, let your baby play in the bath, move his arms and legs, and splash around. It’s great if you have the opportunity to visit the children’s pool.
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Pay attention to your menu. Although some scientists believe that a mother's diet does not affect the quality of breast milk, it is better not to test this on your baby
All foods for a nursing mother should be fresh and of high quality. At the slightest suspicion that food has begun to spoil, mercilessly throw it into the garbage chute. Avoid foods that can cause fermentation and severe gas formation in the stomach.
How to stop frequent and profuse regurgitation
In order to prevent frequent and profuse regurgitation in a baby, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of doctors:
- holding the baby in an upright position immediately after feeding for 10-20 minutes. The pose will help get rid of excess air and alleviate the general condition;
- preventing rapid feeding of the baby, as in this case a large amount of air is swallowed;
- selection of a special nipple with a slight expansion if the child is breastfed;
- maintaining an active lifestyle (frequent walks in the fresh air, swimming in the pool).
One of the effective methods of preventing excessive regurgitation is tight swaddling, in which the legs are in a free state and the baby’s movements are somewhat limited.
When swaddling, the baby's activity decreases, which leads to a decrease in unnecessary irritation of the stomach walls. The goal of parents should be based on preventing excess air from entering the baby's body during feeding.
A child aged one month may vomit a curdled mass immediately after feeding, as he has an immature digestive system. Such symptoms disappear by 3-4 months and should not cause concern if the baby is in normal condition.
Important! Excessive regurgitation often develops with constant crying of the baby, as it involuntarily strains the walls of the stomach and causes disruption of normal digestion.
What signs are considered alarming?
If a baby spits up water in small quantities for up to six months, this is considered normal. It can be done with plain water, milk or cottage cheese. The main thing is that there is no unusual color or very strong smell. Otherwise, periodic regurgitation is considered normal and does not require seeing a doctor.
An alarming factor may be a very thick mass that appears more than 2 hours after feeding. This already indicates that the child vomited. Nausea and vomiting are clear signs of gastrointestinal problems. In such a situation, you should immediately contact your pediatrician. After carrying out all the necessary diagnostic measures, the pediatrician can refer the little patient and his parents to a gastroenterologist.
Fountain vomiting, which is equivalent in volume to what the baby just ate, indicates that there are huge problems with the gastrointestinal tract. This is a good reason to immediately consult a doctor and undergo an examination. It is quite possible that we are talking about intestinal obstruction here. Timely surgery will make it possible to solve this problem. Otherwise, death cannot be ruled out.
If there are problems with the stomach or intestines, the child may burp a second or third time. In addition, colic may occur, which brings the child to tears and hysterics. The baby becomes capricious and very nervous. While crying, the child will arch in an arch, as he is greatly bothered by abdominal pain.
Excessive regurgitation can cause the baby to rapidly lose weight and become lethargic and pale. This is a good reason to see a doctor. If parents see that the child’s skin has turned bluish, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance.
Regurgitation in a baby who is already more than 6 months old is also a bad sign. At this time, the stomach fully adapts to different foods, and the baby should simply refuse excess food or liquid, which eliminates overeating.
During monthly examinations of the child, the doctor records changes in the baby’s weight and height. If the dynamics are negative or too low for a certain age, it is necessary to take preventive measures. Often this phenomenon is accompanied by excessive regurgitation, that is, the baby does not receive enough food and nutrients, which is why it cannot gain weight. To normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to use medications. They are prescribed by a doctor after a thorough examination of the patient and carrying out all necessary diagnostic measures. Motilium will help normalize gastrointestinal functions in infants. Riabal may be prescribed, which restores the functioning of the stomach and relieves cramps and vomiting.
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If necessary, the doctor can advise parents on a more suitable mixture. If a child often spits up, delicate, thick formulas containing dietary fiber are suitable for him.
Physiological reasons
Another name is anatomical. Regurgitation is explained by the unformed gastrointestinal tract in the child.
Babies are characterized by a narrow and funnel-shaped esophagus, the absence of a sphincter or its weak structure.
This is complemented by a weak fermentation process (up to 6 months the body still produces enzymes for high-quality digestion).
Most often, regurgitation is observed in premature babies or children with intrauterine growth retardation.
The child spits up a lot after feeding with formula. What to do?
My son had exactly the same problem. We're really exhausted. after he had to switch to formula (at 3.5 months), he began to spit up very much. I couldn't put him on his stomach because he would spit up sometimes even an hour after eating. Then I had to go to the doctor with this problem. We were advised to take an anti-reflux mixture. But do not completely replace the usual one, but before the main feeding with the usual formula, give 2 spoons (this means per 60 grams of water) of anti-reflux. And after that, the rest of the norm was given the usual mixture. This helped a little. The anti-reflux mixture is more viscous, it prevents food from jumping out. True, the child did not like it, so by 6 months he had to give it up. But then we had already introduced porridge complementary feeding, and with them it was also easier. Solider foods (porridge) reduce regurgitation.
But when by 9 months the regurgitation, although less frequent and less frequent, still continued, I had to go to a gastroenterologist. She prescribed us a lot of treatment, after which everything went away, thank God.
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Lubashechk a
What was the treatment, if it’s not a secret? Of course, I won’t experiment on my daughter, I’m just interested to know. - 2 years ago
Frequent regurgitation, as a rule, does not depend on the mixture itself, as such, but mainly due to the fact that a small child has a physiologically short esophagus and a poorly developed sphincter between the esophagus and stomach, therefore, reflux-return of food into the stomach occurs. esophagus from the stomach. In addition, frequent regurgitation is typical for children with PEP (perinatal encephalopathy), and as a result, increased excitability. By the way, this diagnosis is now made to almost every second baby, after the first visit to a neurologist at two months. As a rule, in this case, the neurologist prescribes corrective treatment in the form of small doses of nootropic drugs that improve cerebral circulation, massage, and baths with soothing herbal mixtures. In general, there is nothing wrong with regurgitation, which so frightens mothers, if the child is gaining weight normally, and the number of regurgitations does not exceed five times a day, and the volume does not exceed a third of the formula or breast milk the child drinks. You can use special anti-reflux mixtures, reduce the hole in the nipple, and after feeding, hold the baby upright so that he can burp the air trapped with food. If a child spits up more than half of the formula he drinks after almost every feeding, does not gain weight well, or loses weight, and at the same time becomes very restless, often cries for no apparent reason, or sleeps poorly, then this is a reason to consult a pediatrician, and sooner In general, consult a neurologist, gastroenterologist, allergist and surgeon. If regurgitation does not exceed the volume of a third of the milk drunk, the child is gaining weight normally, then such regurgitation is considered physiological and requires only a little help, in the form of using an anti-reflux mixture, reducing the hole in the nipple, holding the baby upright after feeding, laying it on the stomach before each feeding , and after feeding, try not to disturb or change the baby again unless absolutely necessary. You can also increase the number of feedings per day, while reducing the volume of formula for each feeding, that is, feed in fractional portions. Usually, these measures are sufficient.
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Features of the baby's digestive system
The gastrointestinal tract of children in the first months of their life is characterized by the immaturity of organs and enzyme systems, which provokes regurgitation:
- the stomach is small in volume, located horizontally;
- the esophagus is wide and short, has slightly pronounced bends, which facilitates the return passage of food;
- the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus is not yet fully formed, and its obturator function is impaired;
- insufficient enzyme activity and imperfect intestinal microflora provokes bloating and colic, and also causes regurgitation;
- Premature babies are characterized by uncoordinated functioning of the processes of sucking, swallowing and breathing, so they constantly regurgitate.
When is a doctor needed?
Frequent regurgitation in newborns is a process that almost any mother can cope with. But in some cases treatment is necessary.
If the child constantly burps or the amount, smell or color of the regurgitation has changed, contact a specialist. First of all, visit your pediatrician. Then he can refer you to a gastroenterologist, neurologist, or surgeon.
Do not delay a visit to the doctor if the child spits up heavily and then screams or squirms. This behavior may mean that the baby's esophageal walls are irritated.
Increased attention is required if the regurgitation looks like a fountain, occurs after each feeding, or looks like vomiting and after it the body temperature rises. Don’t take unnecessary risks, show your child to a specialist
Don’t take unnecessary risks, show your child to a specialist.
Sometimes regurgitation is so frequent that the baby does not gain as much body weight as it should.
This is much more important and may require special tests and more aggressive treatment. If testing confirms gastroesophageal reflux, treatment may include gentle feeding techniques and possibly medications
Some medications, such as ranitidine, help neutralize stomach acids and protect the sensitive lining of the esophagus, which is exposed to stomach acid due to regurgitation. Others, such as Omeprazole or Lansoprazole, stimulate the stomach to move food into the intestines more quickly.
Baby spitting up is one of the most important and sometimes confusing issues you will face as a parent. The recommendations in this article are general in nature and apply to infants in general. Remember that your child is unique and may have special needs. If you have questions, ask your pediatrician to help you find answers that apply specifically to your baby.
Young mothers learn the basics of raising and communicating with their baby gradually, as he grows up. That is why when a child spits up curdled milk, it frightens a woman and makes her think about the reasons for what is happening. Is it normal for a baby to regurgitate what he recently ate, and in what cases should you start worrying about his well-being?
When should you seek medical help?
There are a number of cases when you should be wary:
- There is regular (more than 2 times a day) regurgitation in a fountain.
- The regurgitation process does not stop after 6 months of life.
- The child has an increase in body temperature.
- The baby exhibits signs of dehydration and intoxication: weakness, headache, rare or frequent urination, etc.
- Weight disorders. The child is not gaining weight.
- The released food masses have a brown or yellowish tint, have the texture of sour milk, and an unpleasant odor.
Dangers, imaginary and real
Have you eliminated all the causes, but regurgitation of curdled milk continues? How does the baby feel? If he develops correctly, gains weight, and is active, then there is no reason to worry. The baby burped, didn’t even pay attention to it, continues to play happily, but only the mother’s mood deteriorates - the problem lies not in the child’s health, but in your suspiciousness. A safe volume is considered to be 3 ml or less, which is about a teaspoon. It’s not scary if the baby burps like a fountain, this is due to the imperfection of his anatomy.
There is a danger that the secretions will get into the windpipe and the baby will choke in his sleep. To prevent this from happening, slightly raise the head of the mattress and turn his head to the side.
If you notice any abnormalities, inform your pediatrician; the cause may be various diseases. The baby took a few sips and immediately vomited up almost everything he had sucked, and this was repeated several times during feeding; he is unhappy, crying - something is wrong with his digestion. In some infants, the production of the enzyme that breaks down lactose is impaired, milk cannot be digested, the body does not recognize it as food and frees the stomach from the “inedible” substance. Sometimes a consultation with a neurologist or neurologist is required, since if physical activity is too high, expansion of the stomach walls may occur. If any organ is underdeveloped or incorrectly located, the digestive system cannot function normally, but such disorders can only be determined by a specialist.
You should be especially wary if you notice that when you regurgitate, a mass of brown or green color is released. This color may be a symptom of an infectious disease. A serious sign is a cough during regurgitation, an unpleasant smell of discharge. But the appearance of blood, which causes real panic among moms and dads, is often a completely harmless phenomenon. Usually it gets into the baby’s stomach from cracks in the mother’s nipples or a small vessel in the baby’s esophagus bursts from tension. You should only seek medical help if blood appears at your next feeding. The doctor will prescribe the necessary examinations and tests, determine what the baby is sick with, and prescribe treatment.
Previously, in some countries it was believed that a guest should be fed until he burped. If a visiting, well-mannered person did not perform such actions, the hosts were upset: the treat turned out to be tasteless, and the visitor ate poorly. If this physiological process was considered the norm for adults, why is the mother so worried about the baby? Regurgitation of curdled milk happens to all children; there is no need to be afraid of it. Most often, the baby himself will tell you that everything is fine: he is cheerful, active, and gaining weight well. Do not show your child your concern, but rather rejoice together at how well he ate.
Every mother knows that an infant can spit up milk after feeding. Regurgitation is the passive return of contents from the stomach to the esophagus and mouth.
The baby’s general well-being does not deteriorate; he can laugh and play.
Typically, regurgitation occurs with already curdled or partially curdled milk a couple of minutes after eating.
Precautionary measures
If a baby burps frequently and a lot, this can be dangerous for him in a lying position, since liquid can get into the respiratory tract and he can choke. It is especially dangerous when a child spits up mucus, since the sputum is quite viscous and does not always quickly flow out of the mouth on its own.
Parents should be careful. You should avoid putting your baby to sleep on his back. If he rolls over on his back in his sleep, then his head should be turned to the side.
It is best to put your baby to sleep on his side. You can use several rollers or a special pillow to fix it in this position. To prevent your baby's body from becoming numb, periodically turn him over to the other side.
The raised top edge of the mattress also contributes to the safety of the child. This measure will prevent liquid from entering the respiratory tract.
Spitting is a common phenomenon that affects more than 60% of babies under the age of 4 months. It also occurs in older children, but less frequently. The question of why a child spits up worries many parents and becomes the reason for an emergency consultation with a pediatrician. But in most cases, this physiological process does not imply serious pathology. As a rule, as the baby grows up, regurgitation goes away on its own or can be corrected using simple methods. But there are times when it is a symptom of a disease and requires thorough treatment.
Prevention and advice for mothers
Prevention of regurgitation consists of following simple recommendations of the following nature:
- placing the baby on the tummy before direct feeding;
- the baby grasping the full areola of the nipple to avoid swallowing excess air;
- feeding with formula in prescribed dosages and selecting a nipple with a small hole for milk when artificial feeding;
- Gently supporting the baby in an upright position for 10-15 minutes immediately after feeding. At the same time, it is not recommended to shake and shift the child again.
If all preventive measures to prevent regurgitation have been taken, but the intensity of the phenomenon has not decreased, then doctors give the following advice to young mothers:
- using condensed formula or breast milk by adding rice powder (from 3 months of age) in a proportion of 1 tbsp. spoon for 60 ml of liquid;
- the use of special medicinal products only as prescribed by a pediatrician based on natural ingredients that help improve digestion and prevent the development of colic in the first months of a newborn’s life (Espumizan, Plantex);
- selection of a special mixture that prevents frequent and profuse regurgitation as prescribed by the pediatrician.
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If problems in the digestive system are identified, the doctor can prescribe effective remedies to reduce acidity and restore digestion. The dosage is determined individually depending on the personal circumstances of each individual case.
If you follow all the above recommendations, you can easily minimize the frequency of regurgitation and accurately determine the cause of constant discomfort. Practice shows that this phenomenon goes away on its own by the first 6-7 months of a baby’s life.
Very often, parents of an infant are faced with the fact that the child spits up curdled milk. It is worth noting that regurgitation is considered a normal reaction of the child’s body, so it is most often recommended not to panic about this. However, there are certain standards regarding exactly what mass and in what quantity should come out of the child’s stomach. If regurgitation occurs too often, profusely, or the mass is too thick, this is an alarming sign that requires urgent consultation with a specialist.
The first time after birth, the baby may burp. This is a normal reaction to overeating; in this way, the child’s body simply gets rid of excess food and water. But by 6 months this phenomenon should pass. If regurgitation continues, this is a cause for concern. In addition, parents should be alert if there is too much vomit or its color and consistency become abnormal.
How to distinguish regurgitation from vomiting
An important aspect when regurgitating in babies is to correctly distinguish the phenomenon from vomiting. An unpleasant symptom indicates a disruption of the digestive system and occurs regardless of feeding. As the pathology progresses, additional signs may be observed in the form of a sharp increase in temperature, poor appetite and sleep disturbances.
With constant vomiting, the regurgitated mass has a yellowish tint with a distinct unpleasant odor. The urge is often repeated. During this period, the child must be given clean boiled water to drink to prevent dehydration and, if possible, immediately consult a doctor.
If a child spits up curdled milk immediately after feeding in a small amount, and the general condition of the baby does not change, then there is no reason to worry. To eliminate excess air, it is necessary to hold the baby in an upright position for some time.
Many parents also get scared if their baby regurgitates curdled milk. This phenomenon is considered the limit of the norm and to some extent indicates the natural functioning of the stomach, which digests incoming food well.
Why does a child spit up like a fountain?
If your baby spits up frequently and a lot, he may have the following conditions that require medical attention.
If your baby spits up like a fountain, he may have a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Symptoms:
- frequent regurgitation or vomiting;
- discomfort when regurgitating.
It happens that the child does not burp in the full sense of the word, but quiet reflux occurs. This is a phenomenon in which the contents of the stomach only reach the esophagus and are then swallowed again, causing pain.
Signs of severe reflux:
- the child cries a lot during feeding, it is impossible to calm him down;
- poor weight gain or loss;
- refusal to eat;
- difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, chronic nasal congestion, chronic ear infections;
- regurgitation that is yellow or mixed with blood.
Pyloric stenosis
A condition in which the muscles at the bottom of the stomach harden and prevent food from passing into the small intestine. Fountain regurgitation in newborns in combination with underweight are clear signs of pyloric stenosis.
And it affects more boys than girls. This usually occurs in infants at about 1 month. Pyloric stenosis requires surgical correction.
Intestinal obstruction
If there is green bile in your baby's regurgitation, this is one sign of a blockage in the intestines, which will require an emergency room visit, a scan, and possibly emergency surgery.
Infection
After the first months of life, the most common cause of regurgitation is a stomach or intestinal infection. Viruses are the most common infectious agents, but sometimes bacteria and even parasites can be the cause. The infection can cause fever, diarrhea, and sometimes nausea and abdominal pain.
Rotaviruses are the leading cause of regurgitation in infants and young children, with symptoms often progressing to diarrhea and fever.
Rotavirus is one of the viral causes of gastroenteritis, but other types of viruses such as noroviruses, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses can also cause this condition.
Sometimes infections outside the gastrointestinal tract cause regurgitation. These are infections of the respiratory system, ear infections, and urinary system.
Some of these conditions require immediate medical treatment. So be vigilant no matter your child's age and call your pediatrician if:
- blood or bile in vomit and regurgitation;
- severe abdominal pain;
- persistent, repeated fountain regurgitation;
- a swollen or visually enlarged abdomen;
- lethargy or severe irritability of the baby;
- convulsions;
- signs or symptoms of dehydration - dry mouth, lack of tears, recessed fontanel and decreased amount of urination;
- prolonged vomiting for more than 24 hours in a row.
Anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract
This is a rarer reason.
Regurgitation occurs due to various organic lesions, which are a complication of abnormalities in the structure of organs.
Only a highly qualified specialist will help to accurately establish the pathology.
What diseases cause regurgitation?
- Chalazia cardia (or obstruction of the lower sphincter in the esophagus). The anomaly entails constant reflux in the gastrointestinal tract (reverse movement). The main symptom of the disease is frequent regurgitation and vomiting.
- Pylorospasm. When the disease occurs, a spasm of the pylorus occurs, a muscle that is located between the stomach and intestines. Regurgitation can occur immediately after feeding or after a few minutes.
- Pyloric stenosis is a congenital defect of the pylorus (narrowing, thickening). The muscle resembles a dense lump that prevents the free penetration of food into the small intestine.
The main reasons for regurgitation of curdled milk or formula
First you need to find out whether the baby is actually regurgitating milk that has been curdled in the stomach or is vomiting. This can be determined by the following signs:
- Regular regurgitation does not cause contraction of the abdominal muscles. The discharge does not have an unpleasant odor, is very similar to curdled milk or cottage cheese, and occurs shortly after feeding. The frequency of regurgitation does not exceed 2-3 times a day, the child feels normal.
- vomit is more abundant, the breaks between them are accompanied by active secretion of saliva. Due to the admixture of bile and gastric juice, they have a yellowish tint. The frequency of vomiting depends little on food intake, the skin becomes pale, the baby is capricious, and signs of poisoning are observed.
The main reason that a child often spits up cottage cheese is the lack of a diet. May also affect:
Incorrect feeding technique. Often, the baby swallows air while eating due to improper latching on the breast. A possible cause may be a wide hole in the nipple. Binge eating. Since the baby's nervous system is not sufficiently developed, he is still poorly able to recognize the feeling of satiety. Too much food is difficult for the stomach to accept, food asks to come out
That is why it is important to follow a diet, controlling the duration of feedings. Violation of the diet of a nursing mother. Some foods cause flatulence, and then belching, along with which the food comes out. Period of active teething
At this time, a lot of excess saliva is released, which goes down and then comes back out along with breast milk.
In addition to harmless reasons, a child sometimes spits up curdled milk due to pathologies:
- Fetal hypoxia during pregnancy, complicated or premature birth. All this often implies deviations of the central nervous system. Regurgitation due to diseases of the central nervous system is highly intense; it is also called gushing. At the same time, other neurological symptoms are observed: severe tilting of the head, tremor of the chin. There may be a violation of the tone of the digestive tube.
- Gastrointestinal diseases. They are also indicated by: abnormal bowel movements (infrequent bowel movements, strange consistency), weight loss.
- Infections of various etiologies. The main symptom is lethargy, fever to subfebrile levels, and pale skin.
- Increased intracranial pressure.
- Kidney failure.
- Metabolic disorder that is inherited.
- Lactase deficiency (milk protein intolerance). Then only a complete transition to a lactase-free mixture will help.
Pathological conditions
In some cases, regurgitation in children is caused by serious illnesses. Possible obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract due to a defect in the diaphragm, esophagus, or intestinal malformations. Regurgitation is often accompanied by pathology of the nervous system caused by hypoxia or birth trauma.
“Parents should be alert to the constant and abundant return of stomach contents, the presence of pathological impurities (bile, blood), the child’s anxiety, poor weight gain, and developmental delays. In all such cases, consultation with a qualified specialist and urgent treatment is necessary.”