Patient's question:
Hello, my baby has been born for two weeks. After he finishes feeding, he always hiccups and then spits up, usually in large amounts. Is there any way to prevent him from spitting up? Additionally, when he was born, we noticed that the left and right sides of his head were soft. The doctor who delivered him said it was due to being pinched during birth. After three or four days, the softness in his head disappeared. What could be the reason for this? Will it affect his brain development or intelligence? Thank you.Doctor's answer:
Hello: The child's brain has no problems! No need to worry! Nausea is the most common symptom of the digestive system. Nausea includes vomiting and spitting up. If a few sips of milk flow back into the mouth, it is considered spitting up, not vomiting, and it does not affect development. It usually disappears around 6 months of age as the child grows older.Newborns have small stomachs, which are horizontal in position, and their esophagi are relatively loose. The cardiac sphincter, which connects to the esophagus, is poorly developed. Additionally, the nervous regulation function of intestinal motility, as well as the secretion of gastric acid and proteases, are also underdeveloped, making newborns, especially premature infants, prone to vomiting.
The most common cause of vomiting occurs due to improper feeding, accounting for about 1/4 of all newborn vomiting cases. This is mainly due to overfeeding, incorrect concentration, unsuitable milk temperature, small nipple holes, lying flat immediately after feeding, excessive or early movement of the child, and severe crying, all of which can cause vomiting.
Mild vomiting and spitting up have little impact on the body. However, repeated vomiting can lead to disorders in water and electrolyte and acid-base balance, manifesting as dehydration, convulsions, and coma. Severe vomiting may cause vomit to be inhaled into the trachea, leading to aspiration pneumonia. It can also block the airways of weak or premature infants, resulting in suffocation and death.
If the child vomits, parents should first check the feeding method and correct any improper practices promptly. When feeding or giving water, the child should be held upright, allowing them to lie on the parent's shoulder while gently patting their back to burp and expel air from the stomach before putting them down. After feeding, avoid moving the newborn for at least 30 minutes, and perform gentle actions like changing diapers. Lying on the right side or elevating the head can help food move from the stomach into the intestines and reduce the risk of vomit being inhaled into the trachea.