Discharge Instructions: When Your Baby Spits Up or Vomits

At the top of the stomach is a muscle called the sphincter. When you eat, the sphincter opens to let food into the stomach. When you’re not eating, the sphincter stays closed to keep food inside the stomach. The sphincter is very relaxed in babies. It's easy for a little bit of the baby’s stomach contents to leave the stomach, travel up the esophagus (food pipe), and come out through the mouth. This is called “spitting up,” and it’s normal. It often doesn't need treatment as long as your baby is gaining weight. Talk with your baby's healthcare provider if you are concerned about your child's weight gain. Spitting up is not the same as vomiting, which can sometimes be a sign of a serious problem. This sheet will help you understand the difference.

In babies, it’s common for a little bit of fluid to travel out of the stomach and up the esophagus.

What is spitting up?

Spitting up is sometimes called a “wet burp.” It often happens during or right after feeding. Often only a small amount of liquid comes up. Many parents worry that a baby is spitting up most of the feeding. But usually it only looks that way. So there is no need to worry, especially if your baby is having wet diapers and growing well. If your baby spits up, gently wipe the baby’s face and lips clean. Talk with your baby's healthcare provider about what to do if your child starts to choke on their spit-up.

What is vomiting?

Vomiting is more serious than spitting up. It’s more forceful. A larger amount of liquid or food also comes up from the stomach. It may occur with other symptoms, such as fever or diarrhea. Vomiting can happen during or after a feeding. It can also happen when the baby isn’t eating. Vomiting can be a sign that the baby is sick (see the box below).

Signs of a problem

Call your baby's healthcare provider right away if your baby has:

• Vomit that is green-tinged or red-tinged, even if the baby vomits only once

• Vomiting that continues, no matter what the vomit looks like, if it seems more severe than normal spitting up

• Extremely forceful vomiting that happens again and again

• Signs of dehydration. These include dry mouth, sunken soft spot (fontanelle), listless or sleepy appearance, or no wet diapers for several hours.

• No weight gain or loss of weight