Why is my baby spitting up clear liquid?
As a new parent, you’ve probably experienced lots of new things and thought, ‘why didn’t anyone tell me about that?’ One thing you may experience is your baby spitting up clear liquid. In this article, we will answer the question, why is my baby spitting up clear liquid?
This article includes:
- Baby spitting up clear liquid: What is it?
- What is spit up in babies?
- Why does my baby spit up white mucus?
- Baby spitting up clear liquid hours after eating
- Is it normal for babies to throw up clear liquid?
- Why is my baby spitting up clear liquid?
Baby spitting up clear liquid: What is it?
If you’ve noticed your baby is spitting up a clear liquid regularly, you’ll probably want to find out what it is. Most of the time, this liquid is saliva that has been mixed with milk after feeding, also known as milky drool. However, it might also be mucus.
What is spit up in babies?
Before we go much further, it’s important to point out that spit-up is not the same as vomit. Vomit is generally more of a forceful action, whereas spit-up is much easier for babies to release. Seek medical advice if your baby is projectile vomiting frequently.
Some parents may find that their baby burps as they spit up, but others may do it out of the blue. It’s a good idea to have plenty of cloths nearby when feeding a baby due to spillages and potential spit-up.
Why does my baby spit up white mucus?
There are some reasons why your baby might be spitting up a white liquid. When babies are first born, their digestive system can be immature. The esophagus is responsible for helping food travel from the mouth into the baby’s stomach.
At the stomach end of the esophagus, a muscle contracts called the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. The muscle may struggle to contract in babies whose digestive system is not quite mature. This leads to food travelling back from the stomach and through the baby’s mouth. Some parents also notice milk coming out of the baby’s nose.
After food has travelled through the stomach, it must go through the pyloric sphincter and into the small intestine. That’s how we all digest food!
This immature digestive system means that babies may be more likely to spit up white mucus. Sometimes this occurs when the baby is too full, and it can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Baby spitting up clear liquid hours after eating
Spitting up liquid after eating may still be because of the digestive system. However, it could also be a sign of illness. It’s only as we get older that we learn how to blow our noses. This means babies may be left with mucus and have to decide whether to swallow it or spit it out.
If your baby chooses to spit out, it may appear thicker, just like mucus! You might find that sometimes it’s a clear liquid, and other times it’s a white mucus.
A baby’s developing immune system means illness can be more common in babies. Babies may display illness in different ways than adults. For example, they may become fussier or have trouble sleeping. Always monitor your baby’s temperature and seek advice if it falls out of the normal range.
Sometimes extra cuddles will settle your baby, but you may also wish to speak to a doctor. If your baby’s illness lasts more than five days, they may provide you with some medication.
Is it normal for babies to throw up clear liquid?
It is completely normal for babies to spit up clear liquid or white mucus after a feed. This can happen with babies fed with breast milk and formula-fed babies.
Having distractions during a feed can sometimes contribute to your baby spitting up. We know that removing all distractions is difficult, but keeping noise and light at a normal level will help.
You may find that spit-up reduces once you get your baby into more of a routine. Giving your baby too much milk can also lead to spit-up. So, when you have a better idea of how hungry your little one is, you can build a routine.
Why is my baby spitting up clear liquid?
Spit up
Spit-up is normal for younger babies due to their digestive systems still developing after birth. It’s normal to worry a little if your baby spits up quite regularly. However, there’s usually no need to worry if your baby is still gaining weight.
Your baby’s weight will be checked regularly, and if you become worried, you can get advice. Babies typically stop spitting up after they reach one year old.
There are a few things you can do to reduce the chances of spitting up, including:
- Stopping feeding when your baby is full
- Trying different feeding positions
- Being sure to burp your baby after each feed
Be sure to keep your baby upright if they are spitting up or being sick. An upright position can reduce the risk of choking.
Illness
Babies can get common colds, just like adults do. However, for babies, a cold is much harder to deal with due to not being able to get rid of the illness as easily. This can lead to babies swallowing or spitting out the mucus formed due to the illness.
Teething
Most babies start teething at around six months old, though it can be earlier or later than this. Teething can often be confused with the six-month sleep regression.
There are a few telltale signs of teething that you can look out for:
- One red cheek
- Excess saliva
- Rubbing ear
- Putting items in their mouth to chew
- Struggling to sleep as well as usual
You can use child-safe medication or teething gels to help your baby. You may even choose to buy a teething ring. Ensure that you read all instructions before giving the cool teething ring to your baby. Do not freeze the ring, as this may cause sore gums.
Sickness
Sometimes, babies do get sick and may experience some vomiting. As we mentioned earlier, baby vomit is typically more forceful than spit-up. Depending on your child’s age and eating, the vomit may have chunks. This is more common for babies eating solid foods.
For young babies still having milk as their main meal, the vomit may be white and thicker in consistency. Some parents compare this baby spit to curdled milk. If your baby vomits, keep them in an upright position. Seek advice if your baby vomits regularly, as it can lead to weight loss and can be a sign of pyloric stenosis.
Acid reflux in a baby
Infant reflux is simply when your baby sicks up milk during or after they have been fed. Some babies also suffer from hiccuping and coughing when feeding. They may also cry and be harder to settle when feeding.
If you suspect your baby is suffering from gastroesophageal reflux, you may choose to seek medical advice. Typically, there is nothing to worry about, providing that your baby isn’t losing weight or struggling to put it on. A professional may be able to offer advice on feeding positions and routines that may work better for your baby. These may reduce the amount that your baby regurgitates food.
Ensure you keep an eye on your baby’s temperature if they are unwell. If the temperature goes too high, you should seek advice. A professional will be able to support you and offer medication if necessary. Monitor any other symptoms so that these can be discussed too.
So, if your baby tends to spit up clear liquid, it could just be saliva! As your baby gets older, spit-up is likely to get better. By the time your baby is one, your baby’s spitting up will likely be a distant memory. However, contact your doctor if your baby continues to struggle with spit-up or finds it difficult to gain weight.
And that’s why your baby’s spitting up clear liquid! We hope this article has been helpful.
Hey there, I’m Abigail!
In 2022, I graduated with a First Class Degree in Marketing and since then, I have been working as a blogger and Marketing Assistant. Before heading to university, I also achieved a BTEC in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
I have been blogging for over four years and have covered many topics during this time. My focus has been on pregnancy, babies, sleep and baby name ideas.
I am passionate about learning new things and helping others. I hope that you find my blogs useful and informative. See you in the next article!