Basic Techniques to Prevent Spitting Up in Babies for Mothers

On age first three months, almost 50% baby have funami gumoh, which is a condition when some of the baby's stomach contents rise back up into the esophagus and out through the mouth. Although you don't need to worry too much, you can prevent excessive spitting up in your baby, so as not to cause health problems.

Spitting up is a normal condition caused because the baby's esophagus has not fully developed and the size of the stomach is still very small, so it is easy to fill up when he drinks milk. Usually, spitting up in babies will occur until the age of 4-5 months, and will slowly disappear along with the development of his organs.

Understand How to Prevent Spitting Up in Babies

When your baby has a spit up, don't worry too much because it's normal. But as an anticipation so that the frequency of spitting up is not excessive, you need to understand also the various ways to prevent it. There are several techniques you can do to prevent your baby from spitting up too much, including:

  • Keep the baby's body upright after eating

    When the baby has finished eating, keep him upright for half an hour or so to keep the freshly consumed food or milk on the bottom. If your baby has to lie down, put some pillows to support him so he stays upright.

  • Avoid pressure on baby's stomach

    Make sure there is no pressure on the baby's stomach for at least 30 minutes after eating to prevent spitting up in the baby. Try to avoid wearing pants and diapers that are too tight, or sitting your baby in a car seat, so that the stomach is not depressed.

  • Help baby to burp

    Try to burp the baby so that the air that has already entered can be released. You can make your baby burp by taking a break in the middle of drinking milk or after drinking milk. Lean the baby's body against your chest so that it is in an upright position, but don't squeeze the tummy.

  • Pay attention to the holes on the dot

    If the baby is feeding using a bottle and a pacifier, use a nipple with a snug fit. A hole that is too big can cause the baby to choke because the milk flows too fast, while a nipple that is too small will make it difficult for the baby to suckle the milk and instead suck in air.

  • Breastfeeding in a quiet room

    Try to always breastfeed in a closed room that is quiet and free from any distractions, so that the baby does not panic. Babies who breastfeed in a panic will tend to swallow air along with the incoming milk and potentially experience spitting up afterwards.

Remember, make sure you always keep the baby's body in an upright position when drinking and don't give him too much milk. In addition, it is also important to know that sometimes spitting up in babies can occur because of something you consume, so that it can affect the taste or content of breast milk. Consult a doctor to determine the exact cause.