Last updated: January 2026
Spitting up (reflux) is extremely common in babies - up to 70% of infants experience it - and most outgrow it by 12 months! It happens because your baby's digestive system is still developing and the valve between stomach and food pipe isn't fully mature yet. In most cases, spitting up is messy but not harmful. This guide explains when it's normal, when to worry, and how to reduce spit-up episodes.
Watch: Always look for this early hunger cues.Do you feed your baby only after they start crying?
Simply put: Milk flows back up from stomach into baby's mouth after feeding.
Why It Happens:
| Age | Percentage with Reflux |
|---|---|
| Newborn-4 months | Up to 70% of babies |
| 6-7 months | Starts decreasing |
| 12 months | Most have outgrown it |
| 18 months | Very rare |
Reassurance: Your baby is likely part of the majority who have normal, harmless reflux that they'll outgrow.
| Normal Reflux | GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) |
|---|---|
| "Happy spitter" | Unhappy, uncomfortable baby |
| Gaining weight well | Poor weight gain |
| No pain | Painful, arches back |
| Healthy baby | Frequent illness |
| Eats well | Refuses to eat |
| No breathing issues | Coughing, wheezing |
Most babies have normal reflux, NOT GERD. Only about 1 in 300 babies with reflux develop GERD.
Feed Smaller Amounts More Often:
Slow Down Feeding:
For Breastfeeding (Stanpan):
For Bottle Feeding:
Burp Frequently:
Effective Burping Positions:
Be Patient:
Why It Helps:
How Long:
Avoid:
Safe Sleep with Reflux:
Do NOT:
What to Avoid:
What Helps:
Consider If Baby Has:
What to Do:
What's Normal:
What Helps:
What's Normal:
What Helps:
What's Normal:
What Helps:
Call Doctor Immediately If:
Schedule Appointment If:
Note: Doctor may recommend:
A: Haan, bahut common hai! 70% tak babies reflux hota hai. Agar baby khush hai, weight gain ho raha hai, aur development normal hai, toh yeh normal reflux hai. Zyada tar babies 12 months tak theek ho jate hain. Tension mat lo, bus burping karo aur upright rakho feeding ke baad.
A: Spit-up gentle hoti hai - doodh aaram se bahar aata hai, baby comfortable rehta hai. Vomiting forceful hoti hai - baby ko strain lagta hai, irritated rehta hai, aur zyada volume hota hai. Kabhi kabhi vomiting normal hai, but agar frequently ho ya projectile ho, doctor se milo.
A: Studies mixed hain, but breastfed babies mein reflux thoda kam aur mild hota hai. Breastmilk easily digest hoti hai. But formula-fed babies mein bhi reflux normal hai aur manage ho sakta hai. Dono mein reflux outgrow hota hai by 12 months.
A: Arching back can mean baby is uncomfortable or has gas. Try: burping more often, feeding in upright position, smaller amounts. If it happens frequently with crying and refusing to eat, it could be sign of GERD or discomfort - consult your pediatrician.
A: Zyada tar cases mein medicine zaruri nahi hoti. Simple feeding changes aur positioning se manage ho jata hai. Doctor medicine tab dete hain jab GERD ho (not just reflux), weight gain affected ho, ya baby bahut uncomfortable ho. Most babies medicine ke bina theek hote hain.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Remember, most babies with reflux are "happy spitters" who outgrow it completely by their first birthday!
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