Spit Up Issues

So my little DD spits up after every nursing...not just a little, but what seems like almost all she eats. She's not a good burper, just spits it all up. I'm not too concerned that she isn't keeping enough down as she's gaining weight, but it is such a nuisance I change her (AND ME!)atleast six times a day it seems like. It's not just that she spits up right after she eats, but sometimes as much as an hour after?! It's more 'cheesy' then of course, and not as much as its 'solidified' (I know...TMI). Just wondering what it could be...she does get a little fussy for a bit after she eats but can be settled soon, usually with more nursing. At night we 'side' nurse while I lay down (and fall back to sleep) and usually there will be a little pool/wet spot from her spit up but not as much as during the day when she spits up. Anyway, just thought I'd put it out there for some input...TIA. Jessica

 

First of all- do you burp mid feed? Usually when you change breasts, it's a good idea to burp.
Next, don't lay her down flat after eating. Put her in a bouncy or boppie to keep her at an angle. If you lay her flat, you make it that much more easy for food to come back up. It also helps to angle their mattress or whatever she sleeps on.
Lastly, does she act like she is in pain? Most reflux meds will treat the pain, but the spit ups will continue.

With my oldest/biggest twin I get a big flannel burp cloth and cover myself when I burp him. He's slowed down on the s/u's now, but he used to drive me crazy. I've also been known to dress him like Lawrence of Arabia style with a burp towel draped around his neck to change periodically. He's teething now, and it works for drool too.

 

QUOTE
From kidsgrowth.org

Almost all babies “spit up” or “throw up” after they eat. Occasionally an infant may vomit what seems like an entire feeding without apparent cause. Again, if the baby is gaining weight, then the problem could be: * The baby is eating too fast or being fed too often * The baby is allergic to the milk * The baby has a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux. This term describes forcing of the stomach contents backwards into the tube that connects the stomach and mouth (esophagus) and then out the mouth. Babies with this condition are usually treated by thickening the formula with cereal and keeping them in an upright position after feeding. Almost all babies with gastroesophageal reflux outgrow the condition.

If your baby is not gaining weight and the vomiting/spit up is forceful (sometimes shooting across the room) then an evaluation with your infant’s pediatrician is necessary. The “problem” may be a condition known as pyloric stenosis in which a blockage develops just past the stomach. It usually occurs in firstborn males, although can be seen in females as well. A special x-ray (pyloric sonogram) confirms the diagnosis. The obstruction is corrected with a short surgical procedure.

I think the best advice that I can give you is to check with your child’s doctor to make sure your infant’s spitting is only a "nuisance" and not a "problem." Simple measures can then be suggested that will help until your youngster outgrows the vomiting.

 

One of my girls had the same problem at about the same age. My pedi said that many babies' pyloric muscle (that opens into the stomach and is supposed to keep food down) doesn't develop fully until the third month. My two just turned 4 months and she still has a bit of an issue, but nothing like it was. I was nervous about the "pyloric stenosis", but my pedi also said that the vomiting would be "exorcist-like" with pyloric stenosis.

I had stopped bf'g by then and he told me to use Enfamil AR (added rice), since the weight of the rice may have held it down. He also told me to not jostle her at all for at least 20 mins after each feeding and to use one of those incline things for her crib. The Enfamil constipated her, so I stopped using it. The other two bits of advice he gave worked well enough. In fact, I hardly burped her because I was afraid it would come right back out (and usually did). Now I can, but she still does spit up more than her sister. It's kind of funny how every time she burps, whoever is feeding her hops to it and gets a spit up sheet under her!

Good luck. At least she's gaining weight. My doc said that's the best sign.

 

It sounds like she could have some reflux issues. I would try burping her mid-feeding, nursing her in a more upright position if possible, reclining yourself a bit while nursing her and then keeping her upright for about 15 minutes after nursing. Andrew was a reflux baby, but also had pyloric stenosis. He always spit up after each feeding and was on zantac for his reflux. When the PS came on it was pretty sudden (over a day or two) and involved projectile (across the room) vomiting after EVERY feeding around 6 weeks old. I think reflux is more likely based on what you described. HTH

 

QUOTE(melissao @ Apr 9 2007, 10:36 PM) [snapback]212564[/snapback]
It sounds like she could have some reflux issues. I would try burping her mid-feeding, nursing her in a more upright position if possible, reclining yourself a bit while nursing her and then keeping her upright for about 15 minutes after nursing. Andrew was a reflux baby, but also had pyloric stenosis. He always spit up after each feeding and was on zantac for his reflux. When the PS came on it was pretty sudden (over a day or two) and involved projectile (across the room) vomiting after EVERY feeding around 6 weeks old. I think reflux is more likely based on what you described. HTH


My thoughts exactly! B)

 

Surprise ...my DD has the same issue...we keep crossing paths it seems . She didn't spit up after every feeding, and it wasn't usually a ton, but it was getting more often, and more of it. She started getting worse last week, even some crying while feeding. Pedi said it was reflux and shes now on Prevacid. She said it probably got worse, because as she got bigger, she eats more at a time, so it bothers her more. I think the Prevacid is helping, but def dont want to keep her on it if I dont have to. I know shes most likely going to spit up if I dont get a good burp or cant hold her long enough after nursing because DS needs me. My best friend told me to try burping her in a sitting up position rather than over the shoulder, and it has made a huge difference- they both burp great now with no effort- i guess sitting up squishes all the gas out! Also, she does well in the swing after feeding, I think it's a good angle for her, and we have their cosleeper elevated. The funny thing is, she rarely spits up at night, when she's laying down, which seems like it would happen the most. Hope this helps!

 

AS long as she is gaining weight - the spit up is just gross. One of our twins has reflux - eats and then spits up lots and wants to eat again. It stinks, but it really won't hurt her!

 

My McKenna spit up a ton. We've been adding rice cereal to her bottles and it really i helping. We also feed her upright and keep her upright for at least 20 minutes after she's done...even if she needs a clean diaper! And they both sleep elevated. It helps her if we can burp her (and get her to burb) at least two or three tines during her 4-5 oz feedings. She burps better if we bounce her a little.

She also just started taking pepcid for reflux and 48 hours later, she's a new baby! Coos and smiles instead of grunts and growls!

I hope that helps! I know how fast the laundry can pile up! ~ Laura

 

All my 3 kids spit up. My oldest was a large happy spitter (always 95% for height and weight) and basically spit up 20 times a day hitting whatever was close. It stopped from one day to another at 7 1/2 months ... many laundry cycles later. However she was never in pain or discomfort and since she was thriving nothing (besides everything mentioned) could be done. My doc said that gravity would eventually work, and he was right. When she started to sit up well, at 7 1/2 months, it stopped.

My twins also spit up. My girl is also a happy spitter, she's the least spitter, but still spits up every day. My boy is on Prevacid since he had screaming and crying episodes during and after feedings and he also spit up blood a couple of times. He's much better now, still spitting up daily and gaining weight very rapidly.

Anyway, my doc always told me, as long as they're gaining weight (so have that checked) and they are not in any discomfort and pain, it's usually "just" a laundry problem. It drove me completely crazy but it did end ...

 

Your story sounds very similar to my DD. We got her on Enfamil AR and one day a few weeks later she stopped spitting up completely. My other DD had pyloric stenosis (and I have to add that she DID keep down some feedings even though that is not typical of that problem) and we realized that her spit up was a serious issue when she didn't have a wet diaper one morning. As pp said, I would try to burp as often as you can and keep her sitting up/elevated for 30 minutes after feedings. HTH