Why is there milk coming out of baby’s nose?
There are lots of things that no one tells you about parenthood. So a lot of the time, we’re left to figure it out for ourselves, from sleeping to feeding. One thing you may notice is milk coming out of baby’s nose. In this article, we’re telling you why it happens and what you can do.
We always advise you to seek professional medical advice if you are worried about your child’s health.
This article includes:
- Milk coming out of baby’s nose
- Newborn milk coming out of nose
- Why does milk come out of my baby’s nose?
- Why is my baby gasping for air and milk coming out of nose
- What to do if milk comes out of baby’s nose
- What to do if milk comes out of baby’s nose while sleeping?
- How to prevent milk coming out of baby’s nose
- Help: there’s milk coming out of my baby’s nose!
Milk coming out of baby’s nose
You may feel a little concerned if you notice milk coming out of your baby’s nose. This typically occurs when your baby is feeding and can occur for breast milk-fed babies or bottle-fed babies. This is different to vomiting, and the two should not be confused. A baby’s vomit will typically cause more distress. Always place your baby in an upright position.
Some refer to milk coming out of a baby’s nose as nasal regurgitation. Additionally, sickness while feeding can also be referred to as spit-up. A baby’s spit-up is typically a fast regurgitation of milk and happens after feeding. While baby spit-up may look like a fair bit of milk, it’s usually not. In most babies, spit-up is nothing to worry about, but it could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
Newborn milk coming out of nose
Having a newborn with milk coming out of the nose may be more common. This is because some internal organs are still developing when babies are first born.
When babies are born, they may have an immature digestive system. An important part of the digestive system is the esophagus. The esophagus is a long tube responsible for transporting food from the mouth into the stomach.
At the stomach end of the esophagus, a muscle contracts to let food and drinks pass. This is called the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. In some babies, this muscle may not yet be developed. This can lead to milk travelling back up from the baby’s stomach into the mouth or even through the nose.
There’s no way of speeding up your baby’s development or an immature stomach valve at the end of your baby’s esophagus. Instead, different methods can be used to manage nasal regurgitation.
As your baby gets older, their digestive tract and system will mature. If you continue to notice milk coming out of your baby’s nose, there may be other reasons why.
Why does milk come out of my baby’s nose?
There are a couple of reasons why milk may come out of your baby’s nose. One common reason is due to overfeeding. This can be tricky, as it often seems like babies are never done feeding!
Overfeeding
When babies are younger, their stomachs are very small. Therefore, it’s always advised to feed babies slowly, so they can recognise when they are becoming full. This helps you as a parent to build a feeding routine that works for your baby.
When babies feed too fast, they don’t have the opportunity to recognise they have had too much milk. This may encourage them to continue feeding. Their small digestive system may struggle to keep the milk down, causing regurgitation through the baby’s mouth or nose.
Feeding distractions
You should try to limit distractions when your baby is feeding. This means feeding in a quiet room and maintaining normal lighting levels. When babies become distracted, they may pull away from milk, and air bubbles may form. When a baby swallows air, they may experience nasal regurgitation.
Swallowing air is common in small amounts, but that’s why burping is so important. Not burping and a build-up of too much air can cause discomfort in your baby’s tummy. This may affect their sleep.
Why is my baby gasping for air and milk coming out of nose?
The mouth and nose are part of the respiratory system. This means that when your baby struggles to keep food down, they may also have difficulty breathing. This can lead to them gasping for air while milk comes out of their nose.
Generally, milk coming out of your baby’s nose is nothing to worry about. It just means they may need a new outfit sooner than you thought!
If this continues, you may take your baby to the doctor for some medical advice. They may offer tests and support if your baby is experiencing nasal regurgitation or frequent spitting.
You should seek advice from a doctor immediately if:
- You notice a yellow or green tinge to nasal regurgitation
- Nasal regurgitation or spit-ups are happening after every feed
- Your baby seems unwell
- They are losing weight or struggling gaining weight – find out more about baby weight.
What to do if milk comes out of baby’s nose?
If milk comes out of baby’s nose, you should get your baby immediately into an upright position. Then, wipe away any milk that has come out of the nose and stay calm.
They may appear slightly panicked so do your best to soothe them. This can be done through cuddles, soft voices and a generally calm atmosphere. We know this is easier said than done in the moment. Babies will likely react similarly to you, so staying calm is crucial.
When you’ve soothed your little one, you may need to get them new burp cloths and a change of clothes. It’s perfectly normal to worry, but it’s best to monitor the situation.
What to do if milk comes out of baby’s nose while sleeping?
If your baby falls asleep and you notice milk coming out of their nose, wipe it away. You should stay with them until it stops. It’s also a good idea to try and turn them onto their side. This can help if the baby is choking on milk coming out of the nose. If your baby chokes, you may need to pick them up.
How to prevent milk from coming out of baby’s nose
Feeding position
Sometimes babies are more likely to experience milk coming out of the nose in certain bottle-feeding positions. We recommend trying different feeding positions to see how your baby responds. Keep your baby’s head secure, and try to keep the baby upright.
If breastfeeding your little one, maintain a good posture and keep your baby’s body in line. This can help to create a better flow of food.
Try not to overfeed your baby
As we mentioned earlier, sometimes it can seem like your baby’s never full when they drink milk! Speak to a healthcare professional about your baby’s feeding habits. Remember that it doesn’t matter if there’s a small amount left in the bottle. They may be too full, or you may find that they’re happy to have a little more a few minutes later.
It does take time to learn what your baby wants and when they want it, so try not to be hard on yourself. You’re doing a great job!
Alter the feeding schedule
If you believe there’s milk coming out of baby’s nose because of overfeeding, you may want to alter the routine. This may include feeding them less milk but more frequently. This gives your baby more time to digest a smaller amount of milk.
Burping
Allowing your baby to burp every so often while feeding helps them release any stuck air bubbles. This can help to reduce nasal regurgitation because the milk has had time to travel down the esophagus.
If you’re still feeding and notice your baby is going to burp, stop the feed and let them go ahead. The same goes for coughing and sneezing while feeding.
Help: there’s milk coming out of my baby’s nose!
If there’s milk coming out of your baby’s nose, try not to panic! It can be common for a newborn baby or a premature baby when they swallow milk. This is because the digestive system has not had enough time to mature before birth. As your baby ages, there may be other reasons why nasal regurgitation occurs.
If you become worried about milk coming out of baby’s nose, you should seek medical advice. You may be referred to a baby’s paediatrician. They can provide testing for GERD and discuss your individual circumstances. 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!