Spitting up is a common symptom of infant reflux, which happens in babies because the muscle that separates their esophagus from their stomach is not fully developed at birth. So, their stomach contents can back up into the esophagus. Some babies will spit up frequently and show no symptoms of discomfort; others can have a more difficult bout with infant reflux and experience heartburn.
You’ll know if your baby is not a “happy spitter.” Symptoms of painful infant reflux include additional symptoms beyond spit-up:
Back arching or fist clenching
Frequent irritability
Weight loss or poor weight gain
Coughing, gagging, or choking during feedings
Abnormal spit-up color: green, yellow fluid, or a substance that looks like coffee grounds
If you feel your baby might be struggling with infant reflux, talk to your pediatrician.