Question
My baby spits up milk after feeding at night but not during the day. Why does this happen? The stool is green at night and yellow during the day, what is the reason for this? Are there any good solutions, and what kind of coordination is needed?
Answer
Spitting up at night is a common occurrence due to the baby’s stomach being in a horizontal position, with a small capacity, a wide esophagus, poor closure effect, a tight pylorus, and easy air intake during feeding, which leads to milk reflux into the mouth causing spitting up. When mothers first see their baby spitting up, they may feel worried and confused. Here are some preventive measures for spitting up: first, adopt an appropriate diaper-changing position, hold the baby upright with the body at a 45-degree angle to allow the milk in the stomach to flow into the small intestine, reducing the chance of spitting up; second, let the baby burp after changing the diaper to expel air; third, do not let the baby lie flat immediately after feeding but should sit half-up for a while before lying down; lastly, avoid changing diapers too frequently or with too much quantity. If there are no other abnormalities after spitting up, there is usually no need to worry, and it will not affect the baby’s growth and development. The spit-up may appear like curdled milk, which is the result of milk reacting with stomach acid, and it is normal and does not require concern. However, if the baby often dry heaves and spits out yellow-green or coffee-colored fluids, or is accompanied by symptoms such as fever or vomiting, immediate medical attention should be sought. The above suggestions are for the issue of “spitting up at night but not during the day,” hoping it can be helpful to you. Wishing you health!