How To Reduce Baby Vomiting After Breastfeeding

Hey mumma! In my practice, I’ve seen lots of new mums worry about their babies vomiting after breastfeeding. It’s common to wonder if it’s normal or if something is wrong. Don’t worry—small vomits or “posseting,” are a natural part of your baby’s development. I’ll explain why this happens and share some practical tips to help reduce it and make your baby more comfortable and let you when you should actually be concerned about vomiting.

Understanding Baby Vomiting After Breastfeeding

Your baby vomiting after breastfeeding can seem alarming, but usually it’s just a normal part of being a baby. At the top of our stomachs, we have valve that stops the food and drink in our stomach from coming back up. Babies have this too, but it doesn’t work properly yet – not until they’re about 12 months old. Because of this and the fact that we feed them all liquids, lie them down on their backs all the time and they have very small stomachs, it’s very easy for milk to spill back up and out. This is usually harmless, and most times babies don’t seem to notice or be bothered by it. This is technically called reflux. But there is a difference between reflux and Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD/GORD) which is the kind of reflux that can cause problems for baby (more on this later).

Understanding why your baby vomits after breastfeeding is crucial for your peace of mind. It’s important to differentiate between normal spit-up and something that might need medical attention. Knowing this will help you continue your breastfeeding journey without unnecessary stress and worry, making sure both you and your baby remain happy and healthy.

Tips to Reduce Baby Vomiting After Breastfeeding

While some vomiting is normal, there are a few steps you can take to reduce it and make your baby more comfortable:

1. Make sure baby is latching to the breast properly

A good latch is crucial not only for milk transfer but also to reduce the amount of air your baby swallows during feeding. Less air in the stomach means less likelihood of vomiting. Make sure your baby’s mouth covers a lot of the areola (the coloured skin around the nipple), not just the nipple, and listen for regular swallowing sounds.

2. Feed in an Upright Position

Feeding your baby in a more upright position allows gravity to help keep the milk down in their stomach, reducing the likelihood of vomiting. Upright positions can help make your baby more comfortable by keeping the milk down in the stomach, where it belongs.

3. Burp Your Baby Frequently

Burping your baby during and after feeds can help release any trapped air that could cause vomiting. Try burping your baby halfway through a feeding session and again at the end. Hold your baby upright against your chest and gently pat their back.

4. Keep Your Baby Upright After Feeding

Holding your baby upright for 20-30 minutes after feeding can help reduce vomiting by allowing gravity to aid digestion. This can be done by holding your baby against your chest or placing them in an upright carrier.

5. Follow Baby’s Feeding Cues

Watch for signs baby has had enough milk. Don’t force baby to take the second breast if they seem like they’re fussy or don’t want it. Smaller, more frequent feeds can sometimes help reduce vomiting. If you’re using a bottle to feed pumped milk, use the paced bottle feeding technique to slow the flow and help baby realise their fullness cues. I’ve got more info about paced bottle feeding here.

Should You Feed Baby Again After Vomiting?

If your baby vomits a small amount after a feed, you can just follow their cues. If they seem a little fussy like they’re still hungry, you can offer the breast again. But if they seem ok, just continue on as normal. The amount that babies vomit usually looks a lot more than it is. You can see this for yourself by putting 5-10mL of cows milk (or any other milk except your liquid gold pumped milk – we don’t want to waste that!) in a syringe or cup and spill it onto a bench top. It can help to have that visual to realise what baby is brining up is not as much as it looks.

When to Be Concerned

• While occasional vomiting is normal, there are times when you should consult a healthcare professional:
• Your baby is not gaining weight or losing weight.
• The vomit is green or yellow or has blood in it.
• Your baby seems to be in pain or is excessively fussy after vomiting.
• Vomiting is forceful and projectile.

Reflux disease and vomiting can be caused by food sensitivities or allergies, so if the vomiting is a lot and it’s lasting a long time, it’s a good idea to consider whether something you’re eating is causing a reaction. You can speak to a dietitian or allergy doctor who are knowledgeable about breastfeeding about your concerns.

Your baby vomiting after breastfeeding is usually normal and not a cause for concern. Understanding why it happens can help take a lot of your worry and anxiety away. And with a few adjustments, you can help make your baby more comfortable, reduce vomiting and enjoy a smoother breastfeeding experience. Trust your instincts and consult a healthcare professional if you’re ever unsure.

If you found this post helpful, DM me on Instagram with what you took away from it. Your breastfeeding journey is unique, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.