Your baby is likely spitting up curdled milk because the milk has had time to mix with the stomach acid in their stomach. This is a common occurrence and usually not a cause for concern.
Here's a breakdown of why this happens:
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Digestion Process: When your baby drinks milk, it goes into their stomach. The stomach contains acid to help break down the milk for digestion.
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Curdling Effect: If the milk sits in the stomach for a while, the acid causes it to curdle, similar to how milk curdles when you add lemon juice.
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Spit-Up Appearance: If your baby spits up after the milk has had time to mix with your baby's stomach acid, the spit-up is likely to appear curdled.
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Normal vs. Vomiting: It's important to distinguish between spit-up and vomiting.
- Spit-up is generally a slow flow and stays close to the baby.
- Vomiting is more forceful and projectile and can be a sign of illness.
Key Differences Between Spit-Up and Vomit
| Feature | Spit-Up | Vomit |
|---|---|---|
| Force | Gentle flow | Forceful, projectile |
| Amount | Small amount | Can be a large amount |
| Consistency | May be curdled | Can vary, may contain other stomach contents |
| Cause | Often normal, related to feeding or digestion | Often related to illness, infection |
If you are concerned about the amount or frequency of your baby's spit-up, or if they are showing other signs of illness, consult with your pediatrician.
