After feeding, your baby might bring up a small amount of milk. This is very common in babies and is known as reflux or regurgitation.
You might notice one or more of these infant and newborn reflux symptoms:
• Bringing up milk after feeding
• Unsettled during feeding or when lying down
• Hiccupping after feeding
• Coughing a lot after feeding
• Crying after feeding
• Swallowing or gulping after feeding or burping
• Poor weight gain because they can’t keep their milk down
• Arching their back after feeding
Silent reflux is the same as ordinary reflux, with one difference: the milk may come up partway and be swallowed back down instead of being brought up. Your baby may show the same signs of discomfort, but without spitting up, which makes it easy to miss.
Your baby is still new to the world, and their oesophagus is not yet fully developed, which can make it easier for milk to come back up after a feed. They are also prone to spitting up because they spend a lot of time lying down and have a predominantly liquid diet. Reflux is common in infants and usually improves as your baby grows and their digestive system matures.
• Hold your baby upright after bottle-feeding or breastfeeding.
• Burp your baby in the middle of their feed and after feeding.
• For bottle-fed babies, make sure the teat has an appropriate flow so your baby does not swallow too much air.
• Smaller, more frequent feeds may help. Avoid overfeeding and speak to your healthcare professional if you are unsure about the appropriate feeding volume.
Reflux is usually normal and may improve on its own, especially if your baby is feeding well and gaining weight. Speak to a doctor or healthcare professional if your baby is not gaining weight, is refusing feeds, seems very distressed during or after feeding, or you are concerned about their symptoms.
For more guidance and tips, explore the Karihome blog.
