What is the difference between spitting up and throwing up in infants

Enter your email to stay up to date on the latest pediatric news. Search for news, content, and more. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Back to Knowledge Center Results. Babies and Spit-Up Erica N. Martin, M. Contact Us Reach us by phone or email with questions. Find a Clinic View Our Locations. It is also called reflux, which is the flow of food from the stomach to the mouth. Spit-up is common and painless, and might continue until your baby reaches 1 year old.

Often, it is simply the result of a still-developing digestive system or overfeeding. Learn how to tell the difference between spit-up and vomit, and when there is too much of either one. If you remain concerned after learning about the differences between spit-up and vomit, contact your healthcare provider. Spit-up is a common occurrence in healthy infants early in life, partly because of gut immaturity. Nonetheless, it is relatively benign and usually self-resolving by 12 months of age.

Too much milk during feedings can cause your baby to spit up or be fussy. There is no reason to worry about these common causes of spitting up. As long as your baby is healthy and gaining weight, it is simply part of the development process. It might seem like a lot, but the amount of liquid your baby spits up might not be as much as you think.

If your baby spits up more than 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time or if spitting up is associated with respiratory symptoms such as choking, coughing, or wheezing , ask your healthcare professional if there is a reason to be concerned. If spitting up is making your baby uncomfortable, and gets more forceful with more volume than usual, it might mean it is vomit.

When babies vomit more than once, it is usually caused by a virus that includes diarrhea. Although these viruses usually are not dangerous, they can cause dehydration. Because babies younger than 1 year old are at greater risk of dehydration, consult your healthcare professional immediately if you think your baby might be dehydrated.

Although it can be alarming, an occasional vomiting episode is usually not cause for concern. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Open pop-up dialog box Close. How infant reflux occurs If the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach lower esophageal sphincter relaxes when the stomach is full, food might flow up the baby's esophagus.

Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Winter HS. Gastroesophageal reflux in infants. Accessed Dec. Rosen R, et al.

Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux clinical practice guidelines: Joint recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. McInerny TK, et al. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Elk Grove Village, Ill. Jana LA, et al. Spitting up and vomiting. Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD pediatric.

Rochester, Minn. Younger Meek J. Common problems: Solutions and treatments. In: New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding. New York, N.