Having a newborn is a wonderful time in any parent’s life. As a parent you will strive to do everything you can to keep them healthy and happy. Somethings, however, may seem out of your control. A common problem that many newborns face is spit up. While most newborns spit up their milk, sometimes it can be excessive and lead to other health problems. When a baby spits up too much it can lead to them not getting enough nutrition because their food ends up on your shirt instead of in their tummies. Luckily for you, there is a way to help minimize this.
Why Do Newborns Spit Up?
Spit up is something that naturally happens in newborns as they try to adjust to drinking milk and can be caused by a number of different things, one being overeating. Newborns don’t have that instinct that older children do to stop eating once they are full. Sometimes it is as simple as they just want something to suck on to sooth themselves. Another, more serious reason, is that they are swallowing too much air. When air mixes in with their milk it can cause tiny air bubbles to enter their esophagus causing them to gag and spit up, or the air can even reach their sensitive tummies causing gas and acid reflux which will also cause them to spit up. This has a lot to do with the type of bottle you are using as well as the position that you are feeding them in.
How Can You Prevent Spit Up?
While it may be a stressful time trying to get your child to properly fed, just remember to relax. Here are some things you can do to help your little one keep their food in their bellies where is belongs:
- Try to feed your child in a more upright position. When a baby is laying flat during feedings it causes the milk to settle in the back of their throat which will cause acid reflux and may even lead to painful ear infections.
- After your child is done eating, gently burp them. This is an important step because it helps expel the gas that may have built up. By getting rid of this gas you are helping to sooth and calm your child so that they don’t end up spitting up their milk.
- It is important to keep your child comfortable. If you have a fussy baby, especially during feeding times, try to change their surroundings. Keep them in loose fitting clothes that don’t constrict their tummies while also keeping them warm and happy.
- Use a bottle that is specifically designed to keep air out of the milk. Look for bottles that feature a special vent system that helps to prevent the air from mixing with the milk which causes these spit up inducing air bubbles.
The best step to take to prevent spit up is to start with the bottle you are using. Here are some of the best bottles for babies that spit up:
Dr Brown’s BPA Free Natural Flow Baby Bottle Feeding Set
The first bottles that many parents will mention when it comes to preventing spit up is the Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Baby Bottles. The reason that these bottles have continued to be a top seller is because they feature an innovative straw design that cannot be found in any other bottle. There is a skinny straw that runs up the center of the bottle into the cap that works as an anti-vacuum. This means that no matter how hard you child sucks, there will never be a build-up of air entering their tummies. Whatever air does get into the bottle is quickly flown away from the nipple towards the bottom so that it doesn’t mix with the milk. By prevents the air to mix, you are giving your child the best shot at a comfortable tummy.
While this vent system works to keep air out of the milk it also works to help keep the good stuff in like vitamin C and A. The Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Baby Bottles are made from BPA free plastic and come with everything you need to get on the right path to a healthy feeding time. This specific set comes with a total of five bottles, caps and nipples and each bottle is fitted with this special straw design. The only downside is that some parents find that these straws are harder to clean than traditional bottles, but the struggle is so worth the outcome.
Phillips AVENT Natural Glass Bottle
If you’re looking for one of the best bottles for babies that spit up but also want a product that is easy to clean, then the Phillips AVENT Natural Glass Bottles are perfect for you. These glass bottles are not only a breeze when it comes to cleaning and sanitizing, but they are fitted with a special vent that keeps air out of your little one’s mouth. The secret to a comfortable feeding is in the twin anti-colic valves. These valves work as a filter right in the nipple that pushes the air away from your child’s mouth. Not only doesn’t this work to help reduce spit up and gas but it also helps prevent colic. While the nipples are fitted with these special valves, they still remain flexible and soft to mimic the feel of an actual breast.
The Phillips AVENT Natural Glass bottles are constructed out of high quality tempered glass which means you can expose the bottles to extreme temperatures without them shattering. The natural shape is easy to hold and helps to promote your child to hold the bottle on their own. Best of all, the bottle is constructed out of only four parts. The glass bottles, the twist lid, the nipple and the cap. This not only makes cleaning easy but it makes these bottles a great option for traveling.
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Anti-Colic Bottles
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Anti-Colic Bottles is a great solution for any fussy baby and is some of the best bottles for babies that spit up. These bottles use a unique venting system that utilizes a tube and valve that work together to prevent air. How does it prevent spit up? The components work together to create and air space at the bottom of the bottle which keeps it completely separate from the milk. By separating the two you are insuring that air never mixes with the milk to make air bubbles. Along with this special system, the Closer to Nature Bottles also feature an anti-colic nipple which is wide enough to allow a perfect latch each time.
Because your baby will be completely and properly latched on the bottle, there is less chance of them sucking in and swallowing air which leads to spit up. The unique hour glass shapes allows you to comfortably hold the bottle even when your child is in an upright position. Parents who use this bottle love the soft feeling natural nipples which bend and flex like real nipples do. This set comes with three 9 ounce bottles, perfectly sized nipples and caps for traveling.
Munchkin Latch BPA-Free Baby Bottle
These Munchkin Latch Baby Bottles feature a visible valve located at the very bottom which works as a filter to sift through the milk to get rid of any nasty air bubbles that form. It isn’t only this special valve that does the work however! The bottle also has a revolutionary nipple which works as an accordion to allow your child to gentle pump milk through the nipple with a natural back and forth motion. By using your child’s natural instinct to feed, you are insuring a more natural and healthy feeding time.
The Munchkin Latch BPA Free Baby Bottle is the winner of many awards including the 2015 winner of the best baby product voted on mainly by mothers. A great feature to this baby bottle is that you can easily switch out the nipples depending on your child’s size for a different type of flow. This means you don’t have to worry about your child sucking in too much air or swallowing too much milk at once. Munchkin guarantees that your child will have a perfect latch each time which will lead to a happy and healthy tummy.
In Conclusion
In a world for of worry and fear, it is nice to know that there are some preventative measures that you can take to make things go smoother. To treat a newborn who is suffering from excessive spit up, it is important to remember to start with the basics. By purchasing one of the best bottles for babies that spit up you are taking the first steps toward a more productive feeding time. Just remember to keep them comfortable and relaxed and the rest is sure to fall into place. Good luck and take care!
