Spit-up...Formula Vs. Breastfeeding

Updated on September 06, 2008
A.B. asks from Henrico, VA
8 answers

I have currently returned to work and my 4 month old daughter was exclusively breastfed until I went back to work. Now she is breastfed in the mornings and evenings/night and has formula from the daycare provider. This arangement is working out well since I cannot pump at work and my milk supply is doing just fine. But, she does spit-up a lot more when she breastfeeds than when she formula feeds. Is this normal? She is gaining weight appropriately.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I would be glad she is spitting up breastmilk. It does not stain. Formula does. It may be that the formula is harder for her to digest and you see her spitting up when you breastfeed. Some babies spit more than others. I would keep up the breastfeeding as long as you can. The benefits are well worth it.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.E.

answers from Washington DC on

I went through something similar...burping the baby definately helped and also I noticed my eating pattern changed after I went back to work and those foods didn't settle as well with the baby so my breastmilk was slightly more acidic. Try to lay off tomatoes, oranges (all things citrusy), coffee (the caffeine can cause indigestion for baby) and...my culprit: MILK.

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.T.

answers from Washington DC on

She spits up more with breastfeeding? I would expect more spit up from the bottle.

Either way, spitting up is typically from swallowing air. More burping is a good idea. Otherwise, it just makes a mess of outfits, but isn't a problem.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.J.

answers from Washington DC on

Have you spoken to your Pediatrician about it? I alternate between breast feeding and provide formula to my 3 month old daughter. When my Pediatrician learned she was spitting up, she had me switch the formula to a soy based formula. Once we made the switch, the colic went away and the spitting up did decrease. I would mention it to your Pedi and see what he/she recommends.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.G.

answers from Washington DC on

Breast milk has all the enzymes needed to digest breast milk and formula has none. This causes them to have to produce their own enzymes from the liver to digest the food themselves leaving enzymes in the stomach. When you give them more enzymes in the form of breast milk it creates "acid reflux" because there are more enzymes than needed. Enzymes are great and very necessary, so don't give up, try mixing in a little formula.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Is she being burped enough? I think babies swallow more air with a bottle, and it's possible that she's just got more gas in her belly and it's not related to the breast milk.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi! Breastmilk is usually more digestible than formula - easier on the stomach. I would think the reverse would happen. As you are still adjusting your milk supply to meet current needs, could you be full and/or engorged when you come home and feed? If so, your milk is probably so rapid that your baby is just getting such a large amount all at once that she spits some back up. As you get into the "swing of things" with work and still BF, perhaps this will cease being an issue. If the above is the case, you can always pump a bit of milk before nursing your daughter - (save it!!!) and then offer her the breast. Then you can add your milk to the formula. Good Luck and keep up the good work.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.L.

answers from Washington DC on

My son had this same issue. When I would nurse him or give him a bottle or expressed milk he would vomit. (he was exclusively breastfed/expressed breastmilk for 2 months) We discovered he has severe acid reflux and because breastmilk is so thin his body rejects it. He's now on formula and has rice cereal mixed with it to thicken it. Its made a world of difference. (he was losing weight and things were pretty bad for a couple weeks)

Even now, when I give my son a bottle of breastmilk (I had worked hard during the 2 months he was breastfed to freeze some) he tends to spit up (even with the rice cereal added). I actually have to give him bottles of breastmilk and formula mixed (along with the rice cereal) in order for him to keep this down.

I don't know that your daughter has acid reflux, but it could be that because breastmilk is so much thinner than formula her body is rejecting it. Formula takes a bit longer to digest and it coats the tummy a little better.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions