Parents often worry something is wrong with the baby if they are spitting up their feeds. However, regurgitation, also known as spitting up, is very common in infants and often occurs after a feeding. The symptom occurs without nausea and is mild vomiting or regurgitation of food, milk, and saliva. The spit up is fluid and may look just like the formula or milk that was just fed.
An otherwise healthy infant between 3 weeks and 12 months of age has regurgitation if it meets both criteria:
In infants, the esophageal sphincter that prevents food from flowing back up towards the mouth, is not completely formed. Furthermore, gastric motility is also not fully developed.
The regurgitations gradually disappear during the child’s first year as the digestive tract matures and the child begins to spend more time in upright positions.
Regurgitation in babies and reflux are similar and common conditions, both often caused by an immature digestive tract that allows food and stomach acid to flow back up the oesophagus. However, there are distinct differences between infant regurgitation and reflux that are important for parents to understand.
The most obvious difference is how far the stomach contents travel. In infant regurgitation, milk, food, and stomach acid typically flow gently back into the mouth and may dribble out without causing much discomfort. In the case of reflux, the stomach contents typically only flow into the oesophagus rather than entering the mouth. While reflux is often just an occasional nuisance, it can cause discomfort for the child, leading to pain, wet burps, and irritability.
Regurgitation in babies and reflux are similar and common conditions, both often caused by an immature digestive tract that allows food and stomach acid to flow back up the oesophagus. However, there are distinct differences between infant regurgitation and reflux that are important for parents to understand.
The most obvious difference is how far the stomach contents travel. In infant regurgitation, milk, food, and stomach acid typically flow gently back into the mouth and may dribble out without causing much discomfort. In the case of reflux, the stomach contents typically only flow into the oesophagus rather than entering the mouth. While reflux is often just an occasional nuisance, it can cause discomfort for the child, leading to pain, wet burps, and irritability.
Regurgitation in babies is not the same as vomiting, although they can appear similar. The first difference relates to the force with which stomach contents are ejected. Regurgitation is the gentle, effortless return of small amounts of milk or formula, usually soon after feeding, and is considered a normal stage of early development.
Vomiting, on the other hand, is different. Vomiting is a more forceful action in which muscles contract forcing large amounts of stomach contents out their mouth. This can cause discomfort for the child and is often accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, fever, and lethargy.
These additional symptoms are due to the fact that vomiting is usually caused by an underlying infection, unlike infant regurgitation which is due to an immature digestive system. Vomiting can be serious in infants, especially if it results in dehydration. Because of this risk, you should seek medical advice if your child is vomiting.
Understanding the differences between these similar conditions is key to knowing when to seek help. Understanding the symptoms of regurgitation vs reflux and regurgitation vs vomiting can also help parents determine the best remedy to use to soothe their child.
Reuterina drops are clinically proven to help ease infant regurgitation, supporting your child’s developing gut by helping to restore its natural balance.
