How do I stop my baby from vomiting after feeding breast milk?

Understanding Baby Vomiting After Feeding
Dealing with a baby who vomits after feeding can be distressing for any parent. While occasional vomiting is common among infants, especially after breastfeeding, it’s essential to understand the underlying causes and how to manage the situation effectively.
Common Causes of Vomiting
Vomiting in babies can stem from various factors. One of the most prevalent reasons is overfeeding. Babies have small stomachs, and if they consume more milk than they can handle, it may lead to vomiting. Additionally, reflux is another common issue, where the contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus, causing discomfort and vomiting. In some cases, this can manifest as silent reflux, where the baby may not visibly spit up but still experiences discomfort.
Signs to Monitor
It’s crucial to observe your baby’s overall well-being. If your baby seems happy, is gaining weight, and is thriving, the vomiting may not be a cause for concern. However, if your baby appears to be in pain, refuses to feed, or shows signs of dehydration, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.
Strategies to Reduce Vomiting
To help minimize vomiting after breastfeeding, consider the following strategies:
1. Adjust Feeding Amounts: Instead of large feedings, try offering smaller amounts more frequently. This can help prevent overloading your baby’s stomach.
2. Burping Techniques: Ensure that you burp your baby during and after feeding. This can help release any trapped air that might contribute to discomfort and vomiting.
3. Feeding Position: Keep your baby in an upright position during and after feeding. This can aid digestion and reduce the likelihood of reflux.
4. Paced Bottle Feeding: If you are using a bottle, try paced bottle feeding, which mimics breastfeeding and allows your baby to control the flow of milk.
5. Monitor Milk Flow: If you are breastfeeding, be mindful of your milk flow. A fast let-down can overwhelm your baby, leading to vomiting. If this is the case, you might want to express some milk before feeding to slow the flow.
6. Consider Pumping: If vomiting persists, consider pumping and offering smaller amounts of breast milk using a spoon or syringe. This can help control the volume and pace of feeding.
When to Seek Help
If your baby continues to vomit frequently or shows signs of distress, it’s essential to consult a pediatrician. They can rule out any underlying medical conditions and provide tailored advice based on your baby’s specific needs.
In conclusion, while vomiting after feeding can be a common occurrence in infants, understanding the causes and implementing some practical strategies can help alleviate the issue. Always keep a close eye on your baby’s overall health and consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns.

How do I stop my baby from spilling milk while breastfeeding?

Apply pressure to the side where baby is not feeding using a towel, the heel of your hand, the side of your arm nearest that nipple, or a commercial product designed to reduce leaking. Pressure can stop the milk release.

Should I feed my baby again after throwing up all milk?

If they vomit, wait 30 minutes and try again. If the vomiting improves, you can resume feeding with full-strength infant formula (do not add extra water to dilute the formula). If vomiting worsens or does not improve within 24 hours, call your child’s doctor or nurse.

Should I refeed my baby after vomiting?

Offer your baby a feeding after they’ve stopped throwing up. If your baby is hungry and takes to the bottle or breast after vomiting, go right ahead and feed them. Liquid feeding after vomiting can sometimes even help settle your baby’s nausea. Start with small amounts of milk and wait to see if they vomit again.

How do you know if breast milk is not agreeing with a baby?

MSPI symptoms

​fussiness or excess crying before, during and after a feeding	​stools may be infrequent, watery, have mucous, or be bloody
​reflux	​spitting up
​nasal congestion	​skin rash, eczema, hives, dry skin
​weight loss	​repeated vomiting
​sudden waking with discomfort	​

What foods make reflux worse in breastfed babies?

Citrus fruit, tomatoes, caffeine containing drinks (tea, coffee, coke) and chocolate may also need to be avoided by the breast-feeding mother of a reflux baby. Remember that all babies are different and different babies react to different foods – the list above is a guideline only.

What not to eat when breastfeeding a baby with acid reflux?

Foods to avoid when breastfeeding a baby with acid reflux

Avoid or Consumer in Moderation	Guidance
High-caffeine beverages (coffee, energy drinks)	Limit caffeine intake, opt for decaffeinated options or herbal tea
Alcoholic beverages	Avoid alcohol while breastfeeding
Very spicy dishes	Mildly seasoned or spiced foods

What to do if your breastfed baby is throwing up?

Breastfed Babies – Reduce the Amount Per Feeding:
If vomits once, nurse half the regular time every 1 to 2 hours. If vomits more than once, nurse for 5 minutes every 30 to 60 minutes. After 4 hours without throwing up, return to regular nursing. If continues to vomit, switch to pumped breastmilk.

How do I know if my breastmilk is upsetting my baby’s stomach?

If symptoms occur such as fussiness, irritability, crying, gas, increased spitting up and/or drawing their legs up due to tummy pain, write down everything you ate that day. This lets you carefully look at your diet instead of getting rid of foods that may not be the cause of your baby’s distress.

Does a pacifier help with reflux?

It’s a common belief that using a dummy helps soothe babies with reflux. With acid reflux this is another big no no! Apart from teaching your baby the wrong association; sucking creates wind, stimulates stomach acid and adds fuel to the fire with reflux.

How do I stop my baby from throwing up after milk?

Follow each feeding with 30 minutes in an upright position. Avoid immediate active play or use of an infant swing. Avoid overfeeding. Feeding your baby smaller amounts, more frequently might help.