My baby is spitting milk from nose as well sometimes after i feed her. How to avoid this and what might be the reason for it? #asktheexperts

Question

Accepted Answer

Spitting up milk from the nose is relatively common in newborns and can happen for several reasons:

1. **Immature Digestive System**: Newborns have immature digestive systems, and their stomachs are small. This can cause milk to come back up, sometimes even through the nose.

2. **Overfeeding**: If your baby is fed more than her small stomach can hold, she may spit up.

3. **Swallowing Air**: Babies can swallow air while feeding, which can lead to spitting up when they burp.

4. **Positioning**: If your baby is lying down flat immediately after feeding, it can increase the chances of spitting up.

### Tips to Reduce Spitting Up:

1. **Feed Smaller Amounts More Frequently**: Instead of large feedings, try feeding smaller amounts more frequently.

2. **Burp Your Baby**: Burp your baby during and after feedings to help release any trapped air.

3. **Keep Your Baby Upright**: Hold your baby in an upright position for about 20-30 minutes after feeding to help the milk settle in the stomach.

4. **Avoid Overfeeding**: Watch for cues that your baby is full, such as turning away from the nipple, and stop feeding.

5. **Proper Latch**: Ensure that your baby has a good latch during breastfeeding to minimize the amount of air swallowed.

### When to Consult a Doctor:

If the spitting up is accompanied by other symptoms such as poor weight gain, excessive fussiness, or if it appears forceful and frequent (projectile vomiting), it’s a good idea to consult your pediatrician. These could be signs of an underlying issue like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).