1
Overfeeding/milk stagnation
- Key distinguishing signs
- Spitting curdled sour milk with bloating and burping, improved by smaller feeds, thick coat
- Treatment principle
- Reduce volume and digest stagnation
Pediatricxiǎo ér tǔ nǎi
Spitting up in babies
Also called:possettingbaby reflux
From the TCM perspective: Spitting up: stomach reflux or weak gastric gate
Overview
Bringing up small milk amounts after feeds (physiological reflux) is common and harmless when the baby is comfortable and thriving. TCM distinguishes overfeeding/milk stagnation, stomach heat (forceful sour vomiting with irritability), and cold-deficient spleen-stomach. Projectile or changed vomit requires examination.
☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)
2
Stomach heat with upward qi
- Key distinguishing signs
- Forceful vomiting of sour milk, red dry mouth, irritability and constipation, red tongue with yellow coat
- Treatment principle
- Clear stomach heat and downbear qi
3
Cold-deficient spleen-stomach
- Key distinguishing signs
- Delayed spitting of clear cold fluid, weak appetite and loose stool, pale moist tongue
- Treatment principle
- Warm the middle and strengthen digestion
4
Liver qi invading the stomach
- Key distinguishing signs
- Vomiting with moodiness, crying and belching, worse with stress/anxious feeding, wiry pulse
- Treatment principle
- Soothe qi and harmonize the stomach
Daily self-care
- Use smaller slower feeds, burp often, keep upright 20-30 minutes and tilt the crib head.
- Ensure a good latch and proper nipple flow; do not force-finish bottles.
- Track weight and diapers; a happy spitter needs no treatment or medication.
When to seek medical help
The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:
- Forceful repeated projectile vomiting in a young infant (possible pyloric stenosis).
- Green/bloody vomit, blood in stool, dehydration or few wet diapers.
- Vomiting with fever, lethargy, a swollen/painful abdomen or poor weight gain.
Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.