Quite often, parents, especially the young, are very worried about the frequent regurgitation of babies. In most cases, there is nothing wrong with regurgitation. This is a frequent phenomenon, explained by the structure of the esophagus in infants. But sometimes, copious and frequent regurgitation in infants signals serious problems.
Causes of frequent regurgitations
First of all, it is necessary to distinguish regurgitation from vomiting. Vomiting occurs by a fountain (more than three table spoons). If you regularly vomit, you need to see a doctor urgently. It is also dangerous if there is a lot of mucus in the barked milk or there are traces of blood. Vomiting is often observed with colds and intestinal disorders.
By itself, regurgitation is not dangerous, even if it seems to the parents that the baby has spewed all the food. This is not so, especially if the child normally gaining weight. An acceptable norm is considered regurgitation after each feeding with a volume of not more than two spoons, and once a day with a fountain with a volume of three spoons.
The frequency and abundance of regurgitation does not depend on the mode of nutrition of babies. Belch and babies on breastfeeding, and on artificial. At babies on thoracal feeding the reason of regurgitation can be shortage of mother's milk. Further it is desirable to show the kid to the children's neurologist. Not infrequently the cause of regurgitation is not compliance with the rules of breastfeeding.
Regurgitation is common in preterm infants and in children with developmental delay. With combined nutrition (mixture + breast) due to lack of breast milk. When going from one mixture to another. In infants up to 4 months in most cases, regurgitation occurs after eating due to spasms of intestinal colic, constipation and flatulence. Also, regurgitation is observed with frequent feeding (especially when feeding with milk mixtures), when the old food has not yet been digested, and new food presses from above. The stomach of a child is still tiny with a weak sphincter. Overpressure occurs, leading to swelling and increased gas production.
Regurgitation is inevitable if the child swallows air (by aerophagy) when feeding with mixtures or breastfeeding. The most powerful aerophagy in children born with small and very large weight. At thoracal feeding the reason - improper adjustment to a breast, flat and involved nipples of a breast, nipples of the various sizes, greedy seizure of a breast at a lack of milk.
With artificial feeding, you need to use nipples and bottles with an anti-catarrhal system. It is not recommended when feeding to keep the bottle horizontally - the milk mixture must completely fill the nipple. Also swallowed air with a large (not on the age) hole nipples.
Do not be lazy baby after each feeding minutes 15 hold a column. If you do not want to wake him at night, feed him on his side so that when he regurgitates he does not choke. Naturally, after eating, the baby can not be skimmed, rocked, turned over on the tummy, bathed, etc. Often in children after 6 months of regurgitation increases, as they begin to move more actively.
What to do
The most important thing is not to panic. Do not be lazy to visit the district pediatrician. Only an experienced pediatrician can quickly navigate the causes of frequent regurgitation. Most likely, he will give directions to the surgeon. This specialist will check the baby for a hernia, which the child can cry with strong weeping. The second useful specialist is a neuropathologist. Up to four months, the nervous system is actively developing and reflex failures occur.
It is also desirable to make ultrasound of the abdominal cavity to detect abnormalities in the structure. Hand over the analysis of feces to the coprogram to determine the degree of digestion of food, the possible presence of infections and worms. A blood test will show whether leukocytes are enlarged. If increased, it means that the body undergoes an inflammatory process. By the way, in infants up to three months the excess of MPC of leukocytes can be the norm. Only by analyzing all the data, the doctor can correctly identify the cause of frequent regurgitation.
With frequent regurgitation on artificial feeding, it is advisable to transfer the baby to special anti-reflux milk formula. They contain a gummy, soothing stomach. However, because of thickeners, such mixtures often cause constipation. Therefore, it is not recommended to eat them for more than a month. Breastfeeding may be prescribed by special medications.