What should I do if my child spits up milk?

Generally, infant spitting up may be caused by factors such as an immature digestive system, overfeeding, lactose intolerance, gastroesophageal reflux, or pyloric stenosis. Depending on the specific situation, treatment options may include general management, surgical intervention, or oral medications to manage or alleviate symptoms. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate symptomatic treatment under a physician's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Immature digestive system: Infants' digestive systems are not fully developed, and the lower esophageal sphincter may lack sufficient tone, making reflux more likely and resulting in spitting up. It is recommended to keep the infant in an upright or semi-upright position while feeding, and to hold the infant upright and burp them after feeding to help expel air from the stomach.

2. Overfeeding: A child's stomach capacity is relatively small, and consuming excessive amounts of milk at one time may increase gastric contents, leading to spitting up. It is recommended to adjust the volume of milk fed and follow the principle of smaller, more frequent feedings to help improve spitting-up symptoms.

3. Lactose intolerance: Due to a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme required to break down lactose, infants may be unable to digest lactose in dairy products, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting. The child may take medications such as lactasin tablets, Bacillus subtilis and lactic acid bacillus tablets, or Bifidobacterium capsules under medical guidance.

4. Gastroesophageal reflux: This may be caused by dietary factors or body position, resulting in the backflow of stomach acid and food from the stomach into the esophagus and mouth, causing spitting up. Symptoms may also include heartburn and acid regurgitation. The child may take medications such as infantile spleen-strengthening pills, digestive tablets, or cimetidine tablets under a doctor's advice.

5. Pyloric stenosis: This is a congenital condition in which the passage between the stomach and the duodenum becomes narrowed, preventing food from passing through and causing repeated vomiting, including spitting up. Symptoms may also include weight loss and dehydration. The child may undergo pyloric myotomy under medical guidance to widen the pyloric passage.

In daily life, parents should pay attention to adjusting feeding methods and dietary habits to avoid spitting up caused by overfeeding or improper feeding techniques.