Infants often regurgitate a little milk after feeding, and this phenomenon is very widespread. However, sometimes spit-up becomes a real problem: the child loses weight, slows down its development, deteriorating. In which case, do not panic, and when regurgitation is a symptom of serious violations?

What is regurgitation

Regurgitation (reflux) - the phenomenon is quite common, it is the emission of a small amount of stomach gastric juice mixed with food (ie, breast milk or formula). Regurgitation occurs in eighty-five percent of children in the first weeks of life and is considered in most cases, a normal physiological phenomenon.

There are several main reasons for reflux Reflux: the failure of the esophagus . Many children sucking swallow too much air. It leads to burping, and with the air the baby spits up a little milk. Have regurgitation and anatomical reasons. In newborns are still not well developed muscular layer of the sphincter at the entrance to the stomach, and the esophagus is still short. As a result, the food is very easily flows from the stomach into the esophagus. Very often regurgitation occur in preterm babies.

In some cases, persistent regurgitation may indicate the development of pathologies. For example, an abundant reflux can be a symptom of an allergy to milk or a mixture, as well as some congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is important to be able to distinguish normal from pathological regurgitation.

The physiological norm

Regurgitation should not disturb parents if:

• There are no later than one hour after feeding;
• Not too abundant (spit up no more than two tablespoons of liquid);
• The kid feels fine and well gaining weight;
• Regurgitation pass to the age of seven months.

Such regurgitation are normal. They may be due to over-feeding the baby or too greedy sucking, during which pipsqueak swallows too much air. Often symptoms accompany infantile colic and flatulence. And sometimes regurgitation happens because parents are in a hurry to put the baby immediately after a meal. Pediatricians recommend no wonder immediately after feeding crumbs reproach in an upright position: it can in some cases prevent reflux. If regurgitation is still going to happen when the baby is held vertically, the probability that the liquid gets into the airways will be very small.

It is better to abandon the tight swaddling clothes, and that squeezes the baby's tummy. Sometimes pediatricians recommend making small (no more than five minutes) breaks during feeding. If the baby breastfed Breastfeeding: notes Should ensure that it is properly seized the chest. If a child drinks from a bottle, you should make sure that the hole in the nipple is not too high.

If vomiting abundant, the liquid can get into the baby's airways, which may be a consequence of the broncho-pulmonary diseases. In this situation, pediatricians are usually advised to feed the baby more often, but reduce the size of servings. This is easily done if the baby is bottle-fed, if he eats breast milk, it is best just to feed the baby frequently, but not for long.

Prescribed by a doctor for children can be given a special antireflux mixture, which include gluten carob. Due to the density of such mixtures easier to linger in the stomach of the baby. As a rule, need to fully translate the baby food mixture is not enough just to finish feeding the baby. But it must be remembered that such a mixture can be introduced into the diet of children only after consulting with a pediatrician.

If regurgitation occurs later than one hour after the meal, and is accompanied by constipation, it may indicate a very slow movement of food through the digestive tract. In this situation, pediatricians usually recommend medications commonly used to improve the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and enzymes.

Reasons for concern

Average regurgitation can be difficult to distinguish from vomiting, which is a symptom of many diseases. Vomiting repeatedly is not dependent on feeding and is often accompanied by poor health. Vomiting yellowish liquid may be composed of gastric juice and bile without milk.

Also, concern should cause too frequent and copious vomiting. One should consult a doctor and in a situation when after a heavy regurgitation baby feels hungry and eats greedily. Another reason to see a doctor - if the baby spit-up background showing signs of dehydration, if the crumb loses weight and obviously feels bad. Alarm sign - vomiting "fountain". It should be wary if regurgitation appear after six months or do not pass to the twelve months of life.

Immediate medical help is needed if regurgitation after baby is not breathing and began to turn blue. If your baby spits up not whitish and greenish or brown mass, should also seek emergency pediatrician. This is possible with the symptom of intestinal obstruction.

In combination with other symptoms of excessive regurgitation may signal various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, liver, and metabolic disorders and infections. An accurate diagnosis can only be a doctor.

Maria Bykov

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