What are the causes of newborn spitting up milk?

Oct 14, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Xie Zixing

Introduction

Newborn regurgitation may result from improper feeding practices, such as failure to burp the baby promptly after feeding, overfeeding in a single session, feeding too frequently, feeding too quickly, or feeding immediately after crying. It could also be caused by excessive food intake leading to indigestion, or congenital gastrointestinal malformations such as esophageal stricture, intestinal atresia, or pyloric hypertrophy.

The reasons for milk regurgitation in newborns generally include improper feeding, indigestion, or congenital gastrointestinal malformations.

1. Improper Feeding

A newborn's stomach is relatively shallow and the lower esophageal sphincter is usually more relaxed. If feeding is not properly managed—for example, if the baby is not burped promptly after feeding, is given too much milk at once, is fed too frequently, or feeds too quickly due to excessive hunger, or swallows large amounts of air by feeding immediately after crying—milk regurgitation commonly occurs.

2. Indigestion

The organs of newborns are still immature, gastrointestinal motility is generally poor, and gastric cells typically secrete less gastric acid. If a newborn consumes excessive amounts of milk, it may easily lead to indigestion, causing symptoms such as nausea and spitting up milk. If symptoms are severe, this may result in milk regurgitation.

3. Gastrointestinal Malformations

If a newborn has congenital gastrointestinal abnormalities such as esophageal stenosis, intestinal atresia, or pyloric hypertrophy, digestion and passage of food can be significantly affected. In these cases, milk cannot normally empty through the intestines after feeding, leading to milk regurgitation.

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Is newborn spitting up milk due to overfeeding?

Spitting up in newborns is not necessarily due to overfeeding; it may be a normal phenomenon. The digestive system of newborns is not fully developed—the cardiac sphincter is immature, the stomach is positioned horizontally and has a small capacity, and the lower esophageal sphincter is relatively relaxed, all of which make spitting up more likely. In addition, improper feeding practices, such as the infant swallowing excessive air during feeding, or indigestion, can also lead to spitting up in newborns.

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The newborn spits up milk right after feeding.

Spitting up after feeding in newborns may be caused by overfeeding, allergies, indigestion, gastrointestinal dysfunction, or gastroesophageal reflux. It is recommended to seek treatment based on the underlying cause. Parents should take the infant to the hospital for a thorough evaluation to establish an accurate diagnosis and receive appropriate medical treatment under professional guidance, so as to avoid delaying the condition and increasing treatment difficulty. In daily care, attention should be paid to keeping the newborn warm and ensuring proper feeding.