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Understanding Your Baby’s Symptoms: Vomiting vs. Spitting Up
Parents come in often telling me their baby is vomiting, and after we talk a little, it's clear the baby isn't vomiting. They're spitting up. To a pediatrician, there is a big difference between those.
If your baby has true vomiting, that can be a medical emergency, especially if it's due to a blockage in the digestive system or a virus that can lead to dehydration.
Spitting up, on the other hand, yeah, we expect that. The muscle at the bottom of the esophagus stays pretty open until babies get older and start sitting and walking and strengthening their abdominal muscles. Food doesn't know it's only supposed to go one direction. So if there's a gas bubble or your baby has too much food in their stomach, it will come back up, usually with that burp or while lying down.
When to Be Concerned About Vomiting
True vomiting in a baby is more concerning because they can get dehydrated quickly, and often, it makes us worried there is an anatomical problem, like a blockage. If we are concerned about a blockage, your pediatrician will send them to the emergency room for an urgent evaluation with an ultrasound or other imaging and possibly get surgeons involved. If we are concerned about dehydration, your baby will also be sent to the emergency room for IV fluids.
Recognizing Pathologic Reflux
Finally, there is reflux, pathological reflux, not just normal physiologic reflux, which is spitting up due to those weak muscles. Your pediatrician will be able to tell the difference. My boys had pathological reflux, and it was very clear. They would have breathing issues with feeds. They weren't gaining weight properly, and when they spit up, it was very forceful and painful. In those cases, we can give babies medicine and hopefully can let them outgrow their doses as they get older. Sometimes, like my kids, they need to go to the operating room or have additional testing by specialists to determine if there are other anatomical causes to their symptoms.
There are big differences between spitting up, true vomiting, and pathologic reflux. Your pediatrician will be able to help you figure out which your baby has, what you can do to help them, and when you need to worry.
Feel Confident Caring for Your Newborn
A collection of newborn-focused episodes from the HEALTHY KIDS ZONE podcast.
Straightforward Answers to the Everyday Parenting Questions You Need Most.
Your Daughter's Painful Urination
Is your young daughter complaining about painful urination when using the bathroom? Learn about the most common causes of pain or irritation in the vagina or vulva, how to prevent them, and treatment options.
Newborn Reflexes and Movements
Newborns make many strange movements and show unexpected behaviors during the first year of life. Learn which movements are simply part of your baby’s developing nervous system and which signs could signal a medical problem that needs immediate attention.
A First Aid Guide to Playground Injuries
Playgrounds equal fun, but also falls, scrapes, and the occasional broken bone. Learn which common playground injuries need a Band-Aid versus a trip to urgent care or the pediatric emergency room.
Helping Your Baby Get Through Painful Pooping
Straining, crying, and turning red without producing a bowel movement can leave parents worried that something is seriously wrong—but in many cases, it is a normal developmental phase called infant dyschezia.
Finding the Right Formula for Your Baby
Choosing a baby formula does not come with a one-size-fits-all answer. Learn how to spot what works best for your baby and why your pediatrician’s guidance can help you choose with confidence.
What to Expect When Your Baby Starts Teething
Every baby teethes differently—some barely notice it, while others act like it is the end of the world. From timelines to treatment tips, learn what to expect and when to ask your pediatrician or dentist for help.
Taking Your Baby's Temperature
When your baby feels warm, it does not always mean they have a fever. A baby's age and how you take their temperature matter more than you think.
Newborn Vomiting vs. Spitting Up
Is your infant vomiting or spitting up? Know the clear signs of when spitting up might be symptomatic of something more serious, like pathologic reflux or anatomical issues, and how to respond effectively.
Newborn Skin Conditions
Newborns often do not have the perfect skin we expect. Learn about some of the common skin conditions that newborns face, what causes these conditions, and why frequent bathing is not recommended for newborns.