My six-week-old baby is constantly vomiting. I'll only just get him fed when he starts to fuss and then regurgitate most of the feed. I'm worried that as a first-time mother I'm doing something wrong.
It's quite usual for babies to bring up small amounts of milk after feeding. However, if they regularly vomit large amounts and get distressed after feeding it may be a sign that they have something called gastroesophageal reflux. This is the backward flow of the contents of the stomach into the oesophagus - the tube that connects the stomach to the throat. In the majority of babies with reflux, symptoms appear within the first couple of weeks of life.
By four to six months there tends to be some improvement in the problem, with it generally resolving by the age of two.
Although it is perfectly natural to feel anxious, particularly as he is your first child, you are unlikely to be causing this problem. However, seek advice and reassurance from your doctor or public health nurse.
So what causes reflux ?
By and large the problem of reflux in babies is caused by a weakness or malfunction of the sphincter muscle that is situated between the stomach and the oesophagus. When we drink or eat, the sphincter opens to let food pass into the stomach.
It then closes to keep the contents in the stomach. In the case of reflux, the sphincter does not close correctly allowing food or drink to re-enter the throat.
Is there anything that can be done to help the problem?
Although time alone will resolve most cases of gastroesophagal reflux, some children may require further investigation and treatment. Medication such as antacids or drugs that reduce the time it takes for the feed to leave the stomach may be prescribed. However, you could try giving him smaller feeds as this will reduce the stomach content, thereby putting less pressure on the sphincter. But remember if you do cut back on the size of his feeds, you must increase their frequency to ensure adequate nutrition. If you have been lying your son down after his feed, try holding him upright for a short time after feeding to allow his tummy to settle.