Patient's question:
My baby is already three and a half months old. Since he was one and a half months old, he has been spitting up milk. Almost every time he finishes feeding, he spits up, sometimes more and sometimes less, and it also comes back up. I took him to the hospital, and the doctor didn't do any tests before saying it was gastroesophageal reflux. Could you please ask the expert if my baby really has gastroesophageal reflux and whether he needs medication?Doctor's answer:
From your description, it seems that children are more prone to gastroesophageal reflux. This is because their esophagus is shorter, and their stomach is horizontal. Whether they suddenly lift or lower their head, it can cause them to vomit milk. If you feed the child while lying them flat, it is more likely to lead to reflux. It is recommended to keep the baby upright for at least half an hour after each feeding and gently pat their back to help air escape from the stomach. Another important reminder is that if the baby is drinking formula, the water temperature should be adjusted first before adding the formula. Some parents worry that if the baby is sucking on a nipple, they might place the bottle flat to control the flow. However, this can easily cause the baby to swallow a lot of air.