Heartburn or vomiting: Is it dangerous?

As a parent, you've probably been confused and frustrated when your baby constantly burp and spit out milk and food. Initially, the baby only burp a couple of times, but later on, the frequency of burping increases, even burping each time.

Most burping babies develop very well and do not have any difficulty breathing. If your child is experiencing this situation, you do not need to worry too much and do not need to take him to treatment immediately. But when your baby has any other special signs, do not be subjective but take him to the doctor!

Why do babies burp?

When your baby swallows milk, the milk moves back to the back of the throat and down a muscular tube called the esophagus before reaching the stomach. There is a muscle ring connecting the stomach and esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter. When that muscle ring opens, milk flows into the stomach, then the muscle ring closes. If the muscle ring does not close enough, the milk will flow back upwards, also known as reflux, causing the baby to vomit.

Infants are prone to reflux because their stomachs are small - about the size of a fist or a golf ball, making it easy to fill. Also, the lower esophageal sphincter is not mature enough to work as well as it does in adults. It takes 4-5 months for babies to get rid of reflux.

By the time your baby begins to eat harder foods, reflux becomes more frequent. But don't equate reflux with vomiting! Reflux usually occurs when a baby burp.

At that time, parents should note the following to prevent reflux in the baby.

Feed the baby in the correct position;

Feed your baby smaller amounts and more often, burp every 3-5 minutes;

Avoid pressing on the baby's stomach when you patted the baby;

Avoid moving your baby a lot during and after meals.

How to reduce heartburn in a child?

Vomiting is expelling food from the stomach or intestines that requires more force and causes more pain than reflux. Vomiting can dehydrate your baby, so every time your baby shows signs of vomiting, you need to check if your baby is dehydrated.

Methods to help reduce symptoms of vomiting:

Give your baby water, sports drinks or broths, avoid juices and soft drinks;

Feeding depends on how well your baby is eating, but only foods that are easy to digest and bland like biscuits or simple bread. If your baby is vomiting a lot and for a long time, you need to find vegetables and proteins that are easy to digest to ensure nutrition for your baby;

Avoid indigestible fried foods;

Avoid sweets;

Avoid giving your baby small and slow meals throughout the day;

After eating, let your baby rest and lie in a position slightly higher than the body.

Steps to help parents keep track of their baby's condition when a baby is vomiting:

If your baby shows signs of dehydration such as dry lips, crying without tears, dry diapers, dark urine, dullness, you should take him to the doctor immediately;

If your baby is no longer vomiting 3 to 4 hours later, you should give him rehydration water;

About 8 hours later, if your baby is no longer vomiting, you can breastfeed and add formula if needed;

For older babies who can eat solids, feed them as usual and eat slowly, avoiding spicy and fried foods;

After 24 hours, when your baby is no longer vomiting, you can feed your baby as usual.

These simple steps above can help your baby feel better and don't need a doctor. However, if parents notice that your baby has any of the following signs of danger, take your baby to the hospital immediately:

Vomiting often;

Strong vomiting;

Vomiting more than 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk;

Discharge of a brown, red, or green discharge;

No weight gain;

Diapers are drier than usual;

Exhausted and tired;

Fever higher than 39oC;

Vomiting of blood or bloody stools;

Vomiting or crying without tears;

Diarrhea more than 1 time a day.

Through this article, aFamilyToday Health hopes that parents will better understand the baby vomiting or burping, so it is easy to take care of and take the baby to the doctor when needed.