Question
My baby is 28 days old and has been frequently vomiting for the past 5 days. Sometimes, when they wake up, they also spit up a little. Why is this happening? Under what circumstances does vomiting occur? How can it be prevented? Additionally, my baby has hiccups once a day, which are long and loud. What should I do?
Answer
A baby’s digestive system is not fully developed; their stomach capacity is small and the lower esophageal sphincter is relaxed. Improper feeding or swallowing air can lead to vomiting. When breastfeeding, the baby should be held in a semi-upright position, ensuring the nipple and areola are in their mouth, with milk flow not too fast. After feeding, the baby should be held upright, with their head resting on the shoulder, and gently patting their back to expel air from the stomach. Hiccups in babies are a normal phenomenon and can be relieved by burping after feeding. Vomiting is a common occurrence and there is no need to worry excessively. However, it may also be helpful to feed the baby a small amount of digestive water as recommended by a doctor to aid digestion and reduce the occurrence of vomiting.