How to Reduce Infant Spit Up

If you have an infant or are caring for one, you are likely going to deal with spit up at one time or another. That is simply a part of caring for a baby. Chances are you realize that and are looking for information on how to reduce spit up, not eliminate it (which probably won't happen). As a mom and former nanny, I've dealt with spit up plenty of times. Here are some things I've learned over the years through experience and research.

Burp Baby Frequently to Reduce Spit Up
Sometimes gas can be the cause of spitting up. Making sure to burp baby frequently during and after feedings could help reduce infant spit up. Burping baby frequently can also help prevent other issues and keep baby happy.

Avoid Cow's Milk to Reduce Infant Spit Up
Cow's milk is not recommended for infants. In addition to spit up, feeding cow's milk to infants will not provide adequate nutrition and can cause other health issues. Help reduce infant spit up by avoiding cow's milk until the age recommended by your child's pediatrician.

Be Cautious with Solid Foods to Reduce Infant Spit Up
Introducing solid foods to a baby's diet before the stomach is ready can cause spit up. Parents can try to reduce infant spit up by waiting until at least 4 months of age to introduce anything other than breastmilk or formula. This is best for baby for a variety of reasons.

Choose the Correct Formula to Reduce Infant Spit Up
Sometimes a baby may spit up due to certain types of formula. It may be due to an allergy of that formula or just a sensitivity issue. By choosing the correct infant formula with research and advice from the pediatrician, parents can help reduce infant spit up.

Use Correct Feeding Positions to Reduce Infant Spit Up
A baby needs to be in a certain position while feeding. The head and chest should be slightly elevated. The baby also needs to latch onto the bottle nipple or breast in such a way that reduces air bubbles. Air bubbles can cause gas, which can, in turn cause spit up. Parents can help to reduce infant spit up by consulting with a pediatrician for the proper feeding techniques.

Breastfeed to Reduce Infant Spit Up
This is understandably not a possibility for everyone, but I've heard some moms claim their breastfed infants are less likely to spit up as formula fed infants. I have yet to find any solid, published opinions on this from medical experts, but I suppose that since breastfeeding has many other proven benefits, it is worth a try.

-- Note that the author is not a licensed medical professional. The above is provided for informational purposes. Always consult a licensed medical professional for any advice pertaining to health matters.

Sources:

Personal Experience

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001920.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-baby/PR00044

http://www.uofmchildrenshospital.org/kidshealth/article.aspx?artid=21521