(HealthDay News) -- Many adults complain about gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), but what happens to babies who have this?
For them, it's called "spitting up," and they may not even be aware of it. Babies spit up when they've eaten too much or when they're burped.
It happens when milk or solid food in the stomach comes back up into your baby's esophagus. It can also happen when your baby is drooling.
The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests you:
- Feed your baby by placing him or her in an upright position. If you bottle-feed your baby, burp him or her every three to five minutes. Avoid laying your baby down following a feeding.
- Some babies spit up less if their formula is thickened with rice cereal. Ask your doctor if you can add two to three teaspoons of rice cereal to each ounce of formula. You might have to enlarge the nipple hole a little so the thicker formula will come out easily.
- Some babies also spit up less if they are given less milk at each feeding, but are fed more often.
