My baby, 1-month, spits after every feed. Is this normal?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a one-month-old baby who forcefully spits out after every feed and even every burp, followed by an unmanageable cry. I also have noticed his urine is more (eight times), and motion output seems normal according to my observation. He does have grunting and twisting while sleeping.

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your queries and can understand your concern regarding your child’s condition.

In a one-month-old infant, frequent spitting out after feeds and even with burping, along with grunting, twisting during sleep, and episodes of intense crying, is most commonly due to physiological gastroesophageal reflux and infantile colic, both of which are very common at this age.

The reassuring signs in your baby are good urine output (more than six to eight wet diapers per day), normal stools, and appropriate weight for age, which indicate that feeding and hydration are adequate.

Newborns have an immature food pipe and a weak valve at the stomach entrance, so milk can easily come back up, especially if the baby feeds quickly or swallows air. Grunting and twisting during sleep are also normal newborn behaviors and do not usually indicate pain or breathing problems.

I would advise smaller, more frequent feeds, proper burping during and after feeds, keeping the baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding, and avoiding over-feeding.

Please seek an in-person evaluation if there is poor weight gain, green or bloody vomit, forceful projectile vomiting, fever, refusal to feed, or reduced urine output. In most cases, these symptoms improve gradually over the next few weeks as the digestive system matures.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.