It's common for babies to spit up milk, and sometimes this comes out through their nose as well as their mouth. This often happens because of how milk and air are swallowed.
Understanding Baby Spit-Up and Nasal Milk
Spitting up, also known as reflux, is a very common occurrence in infants. It happens when milk, or occasionally stomach contents, comes back up from the stomach.
According to the reference, the peak age for spitting up is 4 months. This is because when your baby swallows air along with breast milk or formula, the air gets trapped in with the liquid. The air has to come up, and when it does, some of the liquid comes up too, through your baby's mouth or nose.
Why Does This Happen?
Several factors contribute to milk coming up through the nose:
- Anatomy: A baby's airway and esophagus are close together. When spitting up occurs forcefully or while the baby is lying down, milk can easily enter the nasal passages.
- Immature Digestive System: A baby's lower esophageal sphincter (the valve between the esophagus and stomach) is still developing and can relax easily, allowing milk to flow back up.
- Swallowing Air: As mentioned, swallowing air during feeding is a primary cause. This trapped air needs to escape, bringing milk along with it.
What Causes Air Swallowing?
Babies can swallow air while feeding due to various reasons:
- Feeding too quickly
- Improper latch (breastfeeding) or bottle nipple size/angle (bottle-feeding)
- Crying before or during feeding
- Incorrect positioning during feeding
What to Do When Your Baby Spits Up Through Their Nose
While seeing milk come out of your baby's nose can be startling, it is usually not a cause for alarm if your baby is otherwise healthy and gaining weight well. Here are some general tips related to feeding and spitting up:
- Proper Positioning: Keep your baby upright during and for 20-30 minutes after feeding.
- Burping: Burp your baby frequently during and after feeds to release trapped air.
- Feeding Technique: Ensure a good latch or proper bottle angle to minimize air intake.
- Avoid Overfeeding: Feed smaller amounts more frequently if needed.
If your baby is spitting up large amounts frequently, seems uncomfortable, is not gaining weight well, or shows other concerning symptoms, consult their pediatrician.
In summary: Spitting milk from the nose is a normal part of reflux in babies, often caused by trapped air coming up along with liquid. This is most common around 4 months of age.
