Patient's question:
Hello, my baby has been born for two weeks. After he finishes feeding, he always hiccups and then spits up, often 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. Could you please explain what this is and whether it will 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 little milk flows back into the mouth, it's considered spitting up, not vomiting, and it doesn't affect development. It usually disappears around 6 months of age as the child grows older.Newborns have small stomachs, which are horizontal, and their esophagus is relatively loose. The cardiac sphincter, which connects to the esophagus, is underdeveloped. Additionally, the nervous regulation function of intestinal motility, as well as the secretion of stomach acid and proteases, is also poor, making newborns, especially premature infants, prone to vomiting.
The most common cause of vomiting is 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 disturbances in water and electrolyte and acid-base balance, manifesting as dehydration, seizures, 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, causing 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. For at least half an hour after feeding, avoid excessive movement of the newborn. Gentle actions, such as changing diapers, are important. Lying on the right side or elevating the head of the bed can help food move from the stomach into the intestines and reduce the risk of vomit being inhaled into the trachea.