Why is my breast milk making my baby throw up?

Understanding Baby Vomiting After Breastfeeding
If your baby is throwing up after breastfeeding, it can be concerning for any parent. While occasional vomiting is common in infants, understanding the potential causes can help ease your worries and guide you on what to do next.
Common Causes of Vomiting in Infants
1. Normal Reflexes: Babies have immature digestive systems, and their vomiting can often be attributed to normal reflexes. The act of vomiting can occur when a baby swallows too much air while feeding or if they are overfed. This is particularly common in younger infants who may not yet have developed the ability to regulate their intake effectively.
2. Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER): Another frequent cause of vomiting in babies is gastroesophageal reflux, where stomach contents flow back into the esophagus. This condition can lead to spitting up or vomiting, especially after feedings. While it can be uncomfortable for the baby, it is usually not serious and often resolves as the child grows.
3. Sensitivity to Breast Milk: In some cases, a baby may have a sensitivity or allergy to something in the breast milk. This could be due to the mother’s diet, particularly if she consumes dairy, soy, or other common allergens. If the baby is sensitive, they may exhibit symptoms like vomiting, fussiness, or rashes.
4. Infections or Illness: If your baby is vomiting frequently and shows other signs of illness, such as fever or lethargy, it could indicate an underlying infection or gastrointestinal issue. In such cases, it’s essential to consult a pediatrician to rule out any serious conditions.
5. Feeding Technique: Sometimes, the way a baby is fed can contribute to vomiting. If the baby is fed too quickly or is not positioned correctly during breastfeeding, it can lead to discomfort and vomiting. Ensuring a calm feeding environment and proper latch can help mitigate this issue.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While occasional vomiting is typically not a cause for alarm, there are specific situations where you should consult a healthcare professional. If your baby is vomiting persistently, shows signs of dehydration (such as fewer wet diapers or dry mouth), or if there are any concerning symptoms like high fever or blood in the vomit, it’s crucial to seek medical attention.
Conclusion
In summary, while it can be distressing to see your baby vomit after breastfeeding, it is often a normal part of infancy. Understanding the potential causes—from normal reflexes to dietary sensitivities—can help you navigate this common issue. If concerns persist, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician for guidance and support.

Why is my breast milk making baby sick?

Check if your baby has reflux
Reflux usually starts before a baby is 8 weeks old and gets better by the time they’re 1. Symptoms of reflux in babies include: bringing up milk or being sick during or shortly after feeding. coughing or hiccupping when feeding.

Can breast milk irritate a baby’s stomach?

“There’s just not enough food proteins in breast milk to cause such a reaction. But there is enough to cause gut issues.” If your child is allergic to cow’s milk, for them to experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, they would have to drink cow’s milk on their own.

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.

Why is my baby throwing up so much after breastfeeding?

Check if your baby has reflux
Reflux usually starts before a baby is 8 weeks old and gets better by the time they’re 1. Symptoms of reflux in babies include: bringing up milk or being sick during or shortly after feeding. coughing or hiccupping when feeding.

How I cured my baby’s reflux breastfeeding?

Helping your baby with reflux

1. get advice about your baby’s breastfeeding position.
2. hold your baby upright during feeding and for as long as possible after feeding.
3. burp (or wind) your baby regularly during feeds.
4. make sure your baby sleeps flat on their back (they should not sleep on their side or front)

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	​

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

Remedies for spitty babies

1. Avoid overfeeding.
2. Burp your baby more frequently.
3. Limit active play after meals and hold your baby upright.
4. Consider the formula.
5. If breastfeeding, consider your diet.
6. Try a little oatmeal.

Should I refeed my baby after spit up?

Vomiting and spit-up are common in healthy babies. In most cases, you can milk feed shortly after your baby vomits. This helps to prevent your baby from getting dehydrated.

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.

Can breast milk cause a baby to throw up?

Does breast or formula feeding cause more vomiting? Breastfed babies can vomit as much as babies who are formula fed. There’s no real difference between the two. Generally, the only difference is that feeding on formula makes a baby’s vomit smell and look different to that after feeding on breastmilk.