How to deal with a one-month-old baby always spitting up

Patient's question:

Patient gender: female
Month
My child is one month old. After eating, they always spit up milk, and it doesn't come up even when I pat them?

Doctor's answer:

Hello. First, you need to check if the baby is overeating, as overeating can easily lead to spitting up. Other accompanying symptoms of overeating include restlessness during sleep and crying. If the baby's stomach is swollen, it may also cause spitting up, but the amount of spitting up will be small. The stool may increase in quantity and become smellier. You may see curds (a mixture of protein and fat). At the next feeding, the baby may show no appetite. These are signs that the baby is overeating. However, most babies will naturally release the nipple or bottle teat after being full, so this situation is less common. Your baby may not be spitting up due to overeating.
If this factor is ruled out, then it is due to underdeveloped digestion. Infants have small stomach capacities, and their stomachs are in a horizontal position. If they eat too much or too quickly, inhaling too much air can easily cause spitting up or reflux. You can prevent this by not lying the baby flat while feeding, instead positioning them semi-reclined. After each feeding, hold the baby upright or let them lie on their right side, gently patting their back to help them burp or expel air, thereby preventing spitting up or reflux.
If you are bottle-feeding, pay attention to the size of the nipple hole. If the hole is too large, the feeding may be too fast, and if it is too small, the milk flow may be obstructed. Both can lead to air intake, causing spitting up or reflux.
Additionally, the type of milk the baby consumes is also a factor. If breastfeeding, it could be due to the mother's poor diet, resulting in undigestible milk, which may cause the baby to spit up. If formula-feeding, the chosen formula may not be suitable for the baby, also leading to spitting up. This aspect requires sufficient attention.
My little baby has never experienced spitting up or reflux. We formula-feed with Similac, a U.S.-made brand, which has a mild taste similar to breast milk. Its texture and formula are close to breast milk, causing minimal stomach irritation. The baby not only accepts it easily but also digests and absorbs it well. Therefore, the baby feels comfortable after each feeding, naturally avoiding spitting up.
Wishing your baby healthy growth!