I need HELP please! re: excessive spitting up

palmbeachgirl2 · March 2009

How often is considered "a lot" when it comes to spitting up? In my opinion, Chase spits up A LOT. I don't really have anything to compare it to because I have no idea how much is considered a lot or what is normal. But, he typically spits up atleast 4 or 5 times a week. And by spitting up, I mean the entire amount comes up (not like a little drool or dribble).?So much comes out that it always requires a change of clothing for him, for me, and usually a bath because it often gets all over him, in his hair, etc. To me, this seems excessive. I mean I know babies are going to spit up, but is 4-5 times a week considered abnormal? I have brought it up to the pediatrician and she has given me suggestions, all of which usually help for a few days and he'll stop doing it so much, but then it always starts up again. In the past couple of days, Chase has spit up 5 times already.

He eats the Similac Advanced/Early Shield formula, and I use the Playtex bottles (with disposable liners) which from my knowledge is supposed to help reduce gas. He is not a good burper, I always try to burp him but he doesn't always get one out. I don't know if this is the reason?? My doctor also suggested I could try the Similac "Sensitive" formula which has rice starch in it.?

I just wanted to see what others thought and based on the above information, do you think this amount of spitting up is considered too much. I don't really know if I should change formulas? Or if it's just something that babies do and this is all "normal" and I am worrying over nothing???

Your thoughts and experience are welcomed!!

MariM · March 2009

First of all- love the siggy!!!!

Okay- Nadia was a HUGE spitter. She would spit up allll day, like it was just coming out of her mouth constantly. And she would have one HUGE spit up (like her entire bottle) a few times a week just like you said- change her, change me and clean the bed, sofa, glider, etc. She has even spit up on my dog!!! Dr wasn't concerned because it didn't affect her weight gain/growth. And Nadia was never in any pain. She's considered a happy spitter (just like Dawn's Kate). I tried burping after every ounce, propping her up after a bottle, etc. It kept coming up...

I switched her to Similac Soy because of her watery poop and BAM! Problem solved. She still spits up and some days it's more then others but it is NO WHERE near what it used to be. No more HUGE spit ups thank goodness.

Maybe a change of formula would work? Also cereal in a bottle may help too. Not sure if you tried that which is what they recommend for reflux babies..

I hope you find the right combo for Spencer!

Mari

MariM · March 2009

OH! And she was on the similac advance/early shield with the big spit ups too.

Snshine · March 2009

I'm in love with your siggy! Chase is GORGEOUS!

Kate is a spitter and has been on soy most of her life. I was at my wit's end one day and called Similac to see if they offered a RS Soy, they don't. They did say to try the ready to feed (I was using powder) and bammo - it immediately got better! She still spits once in awhile but nothing like she had been. It's more expensive but it's cheaper than new clothes! Also, FYI - RS formula can be very constipating.

Good luck with your science project! I'm so sorry we might not meet your little man on Thursday but I totally understand!

MariM · March 2009

I don't know if you guys realize- but the RS ONLY comes in the big jugs! They don't make powder or the portable bottles! It makes feeding on the go difficult. (Unless your baby doesn't mind fridge temp bottles and you keep in in a bottle bag with cold packs... )

britishbride05 · March 2009

Abby spit up A LOT. but it was also accompanied with back arching, bringing her knees to her chest, crying out, etc.. we took her to the dr and it turns out she had reflux. So we have been putting cereal in her bottle per the doctor's orders and we have her on 7.5 mg of prevacid. Her spitting up is now normal (she drools and has little tiny spit ups here and there) but her projectile vomiting is pretty much non existant. If you see that your baby arches their back while eating or seems to be constantly stuffy or throwing up an hour or more after eating, then it may be reflux! it might be nothing, but you should observe to see if there are any symptoms and let your doctor know!

nelcen02 · March 2009

Lili had the same problem and from time to time she still spits up. She has the Good Start DHA/ARA powdered formula. In regards to burping her, we give her Mylicon drops or the Little Tummy's Gas relief (either is fine, they both have the same active ingredient Simethicone) after every feeding.

The doctor didn't seem to mind about the spitting up since her weight was steady.

palmbeachgirl2 · March 2009

Thanks for your replies. I am glad to hear that this is somewhat normal and that other babies spit up a lot too (not glad to hear they spit up, but you know what I mean!) Atleast now I know that most everyone else has dealt with this much spitting up too.?

I definitely do not think it is reflux - as he seems to be "happy spitting" as Mari put it. He doesn't cry or seem to be in pain or anything like that. He usually smiles right after and is totally fine.??

I use the liquid formula and have been the whole time. We tried powder for a couple days (just because I had about 4 big containers of the powder from the pediatrician's office, the hospital, the Similac sample kit, the Publix baby club, etc....and wanted to use it up) but he did not take to the powder well. That was the worst week as far as spitting up, so I put him back on the liquid (which is what we had been using before that anyway). I do use the little RTF bottles for on the go, though, so that's a bummer they don't make those for the RS because those are really convenient.?

Once you switch a formula, can you use different ones occasionally? Let's say I started using the RS Sensitive Similac, could I give him the little RTF bottles of just the regular Similac when we are on the go? (which is not very often). Or do they have to have the same thing all the time?

?

MelanieJH1016 · March 2009

I don't think 5 times a week is a lot... Zoe spit up about once a day at least in the first few months too, I think that is pretty normal. I just had to make sure to burp her every 2 ounces or so, then increased it to 3, then 4, and so on. Once she was sitting up on her own most of the day she could drink her whole bottle without a burp til the end. I think burping does have a lot to do with it

nelcen02 · March 2009

I personally wouldn't just because his stomach might not be so happy about it. That's just me....

karenlisa714 · March 2009

5 times a week is not that excessive. Zachary spits a lot too. We use Similac Sensitive and he is fine with it. I put a drop of Mylicon in it to help with the gas which works wonders.

And yes I think it's ok to switch up a little. I have given him the Sensitive-RS before because my dr. gave it to me for free, and who am I to pass up free?? LOL! He was just fine with the RS and I don't think I even noticed a difference. All the brands are pretty much the same, you could even use the generic stuff if you wanted.

MariM · March 2009

palmbeachgirl2:

Once you switch a formula, can you use different ones occasionally? Let's say I started using the RS Sensitive Similac, could I give him the little RTF bottles of just the regular Similac when we are on the go? (which is not very often). Or do they have to have the same thing all the time?

You really should stick to the same formula. When Nadia was on the Advance with Early Shield, I had some of the regular Similac Advance 2 ounce hospital bottles and I called Similac and asked if I could use them for going out even though she was on the Advance with Early Shield and they said that they do not reccomend it. You can use powdered, ready to feed, portable bottles interchangeably- but you shoukd stick to the same formula brand so you don't upset his tummy.

Snshine · March 2009

When switching formulas they recommend that you wean on and wean off, not just give him whatever whenever. It stinks that Similac doesn't offer all of their products in the 2oz and 8oz RTF on the go bottles but I wouldn't feed him one thing at home and something else when you're out. If I was using RTF and could only get it in the big containers I would also carry hot water or plan my day around places where I could get it (McDonald's, Starbucks, a restaurant - I've so been there). Then place the bottle in the hot water and feed him once it's warm. I don't know what bottle you use but we had great success with Thermos' soup canister. We filled it up with boiling water, stuck it in the diaper bag and used it when we needed it. Lucky for us the soy does come in the 8oz RTF bottles so we've switched to that.

Also, 5x/week is nothing! We had projectile vomit after every single bottle - from a "happy spitter". So gross!

palmbeachgirl2 · March 2009

Okay, thanks! I spoke to the pediatrician today and she def. recommended starting on the RS Sensitive, so we're going to start that tomorrow. That is just a bummer though because we have bought a lot of the big bulk boxes of the small RTF bottles. That sucks they don't make the Sensitive Formula in the RTF's. They are so convenient! That is a good idea Dawn about the thermos of boiling water. Good thing I don't go out very much so it's not very often I have to feed him somewhere else, but atleast now I know what to do without using the RTF's.?

And I'm glad to hear that 5x/week isn't too bad! I guess since I have never done this before, it just seems like a lot to me! (And especially because it is like niagara falls - there is SO much coming out...I swear I don't know how that much can come out of such a tiny little thing!) Atleast my couches are leather and they wipe up easily with the amount of spit up that has been projected on them!! LOL

Want a personalized experience?

I need HELP please! re: excessive spitting up

Re: I need HELP please! re: excessive spitting up

Choose Another Board

Search Boards