Regurgitation in the newborn: what are the causes, how to limit it and how it differs from reflux
Regurgitation in the newborn is a very common phenomenon during or after feeding, and it shouldn't be frightening. Regurgitation, often confused with reflux, is a leaking of milk and saliva from the baby's mouth. This leakage can occur during the feed itself or after the feed, in the digestive phase, an hour or two later.
As we said, regurgitation in newborns is very common and should not be considered a disease! Half of children between 0 and 3 years have at least one episode a day: usually the phase in which it is most frequent is when the child is between 2 and 4 months. However, a good 10% of children happen to regurgitate even at one year of age, hardly beyond 18 months.
According to data proven by the scientific community, the regurgitation disappears by itself and only in rare cases is it necessary to resort to pharmacological or other treatments. Let's find out together what are the causes that cause it, how it differs from reflux, how to limit it in our children and when it is better to contact the pediatrician. We also remember that this phenomenon is more frequent in children who are not breastfed. Here is a video that explains how to choose between breast milk or formula:
Regurgitation or reflux?
Often there is some confusion between regurgitation and reflux and it is always good to clarify. With the word "reflux" we mean the passage of gastric contents from the stomach to the esophagus: this can also occur several times a day and it is common not in children, but also in adults.
Reflux in newborns is present in 70% of cases in the first months of life: it is a physiological phenomenon linked to breastfeeding (and therefore to a purely liquid diet) and to the immaturity of the gastroesophageal system (in particular of the valve dividing the stomach and esophagus). When the baby is lying down, the gastric juices rise upwards, generating reflux.
Regurgitation, on the other hand, consists in the expulsion of saliva and undigested milk and occurs in almost all newborns. Also in this case the cause is the immaturity of the baby's gastroesophageal system, but the regurgitation becomes visible, reaching the mouth . Reflux can also occur without fluid leaking from the baby's mouth, which instead is always present in regurgitation and should not worry: the baby will have less and less as it grows.
What are the causes of regurgitation in the newborn?
As we have seen, one of the main causes of regurgitation is the immaturity of the gastroesophageal system: the baby's digestive system is not yet fully developed and the intake of liquids certainly does not facilitate the digestion of nutrients. No wonder, therefore, that the contents of the stomach return to the esophagus and then reach the mouth and exit.
In most cases, the phenomenon occurs when infants drink excessive amounts of milk too quickly, or if - distracted or restless - they gulp down some air. In all these cases, it is therefore a sort of alarm bell. which allows him to eliminate excess food.
Among the other common causes of regurgitation, especially when it is excessive, we must also remember a possible overproduction of milk by the mother's breast or a strong emission reflex: in these cases, to avoid regurgitation, it will be good to breastfeed the baby in one position. semi-reclined or reclined on one side.
Regurgitation can also be caused by a particular sensitivity to food, especially the milk proteins present in the mother's diet. It will be good to try to eliminate cow's milk from the diet for a couple of weeks and see if there is any improvement. Any sensitivity can also be linked to other nutrients you are taking, such as medicines or supplements: talk to your doctor!
In slightly older children, this phenomenon can be linked precisely to the introduction of solid foods in their diet, or in conjunction with teething, which causes an increase in salivation. In some cases it may be due to colds or allergies, or to a so-called "growth spurt" that leads him to gulp down more voraciously, taking in more air.
Tips to limit it
Having seen how, in fact, regurgitation is not a disease that should worry, but a normal physiological process - let's try to figure out what to do to avoid it happening too often. To limit regurgitation, it is necessary to pay attention first of all to the method of breastfeeding: it is preferable to take small but frequent feedings (which allow the newborn to swallow a small amount of liquid at a time). It will then be necessary to help the baby to burp and keep him in a vertical position after feeding.
While feeding, it is preferable to keep the baby sideways, belly to belly, while both are lying down. Otherwise the mother can assume a reclined position with the baby lying on her, so that the stomach is not compressed. When the little one is a little grown up, it will be necessary to make him climb astride his mother's leg.
Finally, also consider your child's point of view: what happens to him is not pleasant at all, and he doesn't need to see you scared of it! Rather, pampering and reassurance will certainly do him good.
When to worry?
Regurgitation rarely causes problems, and therefore does not require special intervention. It will be necessary to contact the pediatrician only if the episodes are very frequent, occur even several hours after "breastfeeding and in the emission" acid material is present.
Attention, moreover, if the baby is particularly irritated, with sudden awakenings during digestion, problems in feeding and stunted growth.
For more scientific information on the subject, you can consult Meyer's website.
