Baby's regurgitations - tips to reduce them

Regurgitations are a common digestive problem during baby’s first few months. They are just undigested milk being rejected, and if baby is growing normally, there is no cause for concern.


What are regurgitations?

Baby has eaten, and eaten well! Then, shortly after feeding, they throw up their milk, without seeming poorly or even slightly bothered by it: these are regurgitations. They are not dangerous and are caused by a little physiological immaturity1 that they will gradually grow out of. Regurgitations usually disappear when baby can sit up on their own or when they start to stand up.


Tips for limiting regurgitations (2)

Baby should be as comfortable as possible! This means that their stomach should not be restricted, by a nappy that is too tight, for example. This advice applies every day and in all circumstances.

Then, hold them upright against you after feeding, and after burping, which is also done in an upright position.

  • Held against you or in loving arms, this position limits regurgitations and is a great opportunity to give your baby a cuddle.
  • To limit regurgitations, you should avoid laying baby down just after a feed, even to change them.

Looking on the bright side, you can look at this regurgitation prevention as a chance to share a long snuggle after feeding, with your baby held against your body!

1Vandenplas and al., Prevalence and health outcomes of functional gastrointestinal symptoms in infants from birth to 12 months of age. JPGN, volume 61, number 5, november 2015

2Salvatore S, et al. “Review shows that parental reassurance and nutritional advice help to optimise the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants”. Acta Paediatr. . doi:101111/apa.14378 , 2018

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Breast milk is the ideal food for infants. WHO recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months and then continuation thereof until the age of 2 alongside the introduction, from 6 months, of safe and appropriate complementary foods. Please consult a healthcare professional if you need any advice about feeding your baby.