Lately, the baby has been spitting up frequently. Is it because they caught a cold?

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

Due to the small stomach capacity of infants, the upper opening of the stomach (cardia) is relatively loose, the stomach is in a horizontal position, the pyloric sphincter at the lower opening of the stomach is well-developed while the cardia sphincter is poorly developed, and the neuroregulatory function of intestinal motility as well as the endocrine function of secreting gastric acid and protein-digesting enzymes are poor. These physiological characteristics are the reasons why newborns are prone to vomiting.
Recommendations: Due to the above reasons, to prevent vomiting in infants, it is necessary to:
- Feed in moderation, avoid overfeeding or feeding too quickly.
- Practice small, frequent meals to reduce the pressure on the stomach.
- After each feeding, hold the baby upright on an adult's shoulder and gently pat their back. This action can expel air swallowed into the stomach, reducing stomach pressure.
Through these methods and as the child grows older, the condition will gradually improve and eventually resolve.
If vomiting occurs, it is crucial to keep the child's head tilted to one side to prevent choking or coughing.
These symptoms are common and not serious. If the child is easily startled, it may be related to mild calcium deficiency. Supplementing with Icicle can help.