#AskTheExpert My 1.5 month old daughter has been spilling good amount of milk after feeding. This isn’t after every feeding. She puts fingers in her mouth so I feed her but after sometime she spills the milk. What can be the reason ?

Question

Accepted Answer

Spilling milk (also known as spitting up) in infants is quite common and usually not a cause for concern. Here are some possible reasons your 1.5-month-old daughter might be spilling milk after feeding:

1. **Overfeeding:** If she is feeding too much at once, her stomach may not be able to hold it all, leading to spitting up.
2. **Air Swallowing:** If she swallows air while feeding, it can cause her to spit up when the air comes back up.
3. **Immature Digestive System:** At 1.5 months, her digestive system is still developing, and spitting up can be part of this process.
4. **Positioning:** If she is not held upright after feeding, it can increase the likelihood of spitting up.
5. **Reflux:** Some babies have gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which can cause them to spit up frequently.

### What You Can Do:
1. **Burp Her Frequently:** Try to burp her after every feeding to release any swallowed air.
2. **Feed Smaller Amounts:** If possible, feed her smaller amounts more frequently.
3. **Keep Her Upright:** Hold her in an upright position for 20-30 minutes after feeding.
4. **Avoid Overfeeding:** Watch for signs that she is full and avoid feeding her just because she is sucking on her fingers.
5. **Monitor Feeding Technique:** Ensure she is latched on properly if breastfeeding, or that the bottle nipple is the right size to prevent air swallowing.

### When to Seek Medical Advice:
- If she is not gaining weight adequately.
- If the spitting up is accompanied by other symptoms like fussiness, crying, or arching of the back during or after feedings.
- If the milk appears green or yellow, or has blood in it.
- If she shows signs of dehydration or illness.

Consult with your pediatrician if you are concerned or if the spitting up is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other worrying symptoms.