Spitting up during or after nursing or bottle feeding is pretty common for infants. Most babies spit up because their gastrointestinal system is still maturing. And even quite a lot of spit-up is normal and causes no harm or discomfort. 

A few babies have gastro-esophageal reflux (GER), a condition in which irritating stomach acids are regurgitated into the esophagus, causing spitting up, as well as choking, gasping and/or pain. (The feeling resembles that of heartburn in adults.)

Infant reflux can be treated with prescription medication, but it’s often not necessary because the condition resolves naturally and on its own. If spitting up continues after your child is sitting, standing and holding himself upright, discuss the situation with your pediatrician.

Some suggest carrying babies in a sling because they seem to cry less, and crying tends to increase GER. GER usually lessens by 6 months and disappears by 12 months.

See also ...

•  Preventing spit-up during feedings

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