The term “reflux” is usually used to describe the slow flooding of food from the stomach into the child’s mouth, usually not a lot of food. Unlike older children and adults, babies’ gastrointestinal functions are not yet mature, so the muscular valves that should block the upper opening of the stomach are not yet able to keep food well contained inside the stomach. Many conditions can lead to reflux, such as holding the baby and shaking him, cradling him too tightly, flattening him immediately after feeding, or the digestive peristalsis of the stomach itself. Most babies often breastfeed during the first few months of life. This is usually not a major problem. Some infants return to the breast several times after each feeding. Others only have this occasionally. For most children, the most severe stage of reflux is between a few weeks and a few months after birth. As they grow older, this phenomenon gradually decreases. Most babies stop returning milk by the time they can sit. Although it can be messy and inconvenient, it is not a problem as long as the baby is gaining weight normally, is neither coughing nor choking, and is in good spirits. The word “vomiting” refers to the squirting up of the contents of the stomach. New parents will be very wary of the first time their child spits up a lot of milk. However, as long as it doesn’t happen often and the child seems generally active and healthy, it’s not a serious problem. Some children, especially in the first few weeks after birth, vomit once a day and very badly. Giving your child more pats on the back to help him burp can be helpful. But in most cases, the reflux and vomiting will continue no matter whether you reduce the amount of milk you feed or pat the back to vent. Of course, if your child is returning milk or vomiting very frequently, you should still seek medical attention. If there are also other signs of indigestion, then it is even more important to go to the hospital for a diagnosis. If your child spits up all the food he has eaten, should you feed him again right away? If the child seems happy, it is okay to not feed him, at least until they are very hungry. Your child’s stomach may be a little upset after returning to milk and vomiting, so give it time to calm down first. Keep in mind that the vomit will usually look like more than it actually is. There are also children who vomit after each feeding, but they still gain weight normally. So, what kind of reflux and vomiting should I see a doctor about? If it is accompanied by the following symptoms: crying, choking, general curling up, coughing, or slowed weight gain, these may be signs of gastroesophageal reflux. Vomiting that is repeated more than twice, especially the kind that is strong, or vomiting that appears yellow or green, that means it contains bile. Vomiting accompanied by fever, sleepiness, inactivity, irritability, etc., or with other signs of illness.