Bringing up milk or crying after a feed is something babies do more often than you may think. Here is what it can mean and what you can do to help.
Wind
Milk is not the only thing your baby swallows during a feed. They
also take in air. Some babies are unaffected, while others are left
with painful trapped wind or gas. A windy baby may stop sucking and
cry or resist going on the other breast. They can squirm and
grimace too, particularly if you try laying them down after a
feed.
Burping your baby
Some babies pause naturally to burp during a feed, but if your
baby does not, wait until the end of the feed to burp them.
- Hold your baby upright against your shoulder or sitting on your
lap, or place them face down on your lap.
- Gently rub or pat their back.
- If there is no burp after a couple of minutes, they probably do
not need one.
Possetting
The milk your baby sicks up during or just after a feed is called
possetting. Some babies sick up more than others. If your baby is
feeding well and is gaining weight there is usually nothing to
worry about. Talk to your health visitor or GP though if your baby
vomits frequently or violently, seems in pain, and is not putting
on weight.
Colic
Colic is very common with one in five babies suffering. While no
one is sure what causes it, trapped wind is sometimes blamed. It
can leave your baby crying intensely for more than three hours,
often in the evening. Babies with colic will typically draw their
knees up to their chest, have a rigid back, and clench their
fists.
Excessive crying, for three hours a day, three days a week or
more for three weeks is a commonly used rule of thumb for
diagnosing colic.
Coping with colic
There is no cure for colic and it usually passes within a couple
of months. Your baby is not in danger, but you can reduce their
distress.
- The soothing motion of a pushchair or car ride can help.
- Burp your baby after feeds. Infant colic drops may also
help.
- Watch what you eat. Gas-causing foods, such as cabbage, and
alcohol and caffeine may affect your breast milk and make your baby
windy.
- Change your baby's bottle. If you are bottle feeding, a
fast-flow teat reduces the amount of air swallowed with the
milk.
If you are really concerned about your baby's crying or finding
it hard to cope, talk to your health visitor or GP. There are many
organisations that can also offer support and advice, including Cry-sis.
Reflux
Gastro-oesophageal reflux occurs when the valve at the top of your
baby's stomach lets milk back up the oesophagus (food pipe). The
regurgitated milk creates a burning sensation similar to heartburn
in adults. As well as crying after feeds, other symptoms of reflux
can include:
- Vomiting a lot, particularly after feeds
- Arching their back in pain, especially following feeds. Your
baby will not like lying flat either, making sleep disturbed
How to help
Your baby should outgrow reflux by 12 months. In the meantime
try:
- Feeding your baby upright
- Keeping them upright after feeds
- Raising your baby's cot head.
Also see your GP who may able to prescribe medicine that can
help.