1. Invest in high quality diaper cloths.
These will be your best friends. The thick cotton diaper cloths absorb the most throw up. You don’t want to be stuck out in public and your diaper cloth is soaked after one spit up. Pay for the good ones.
2. Always bring a change of clothing for you and baby.
I know it’s hard carrying around all of that stuff, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. I can’t tell you the countless times I had to walk around with a huge, smelly white spot on my lap or on my shoulder. If you don’t want to carry clothes, leave an extra change of clothes in the car. It comes in handy.
3. Hold off on the new furniture.
My husband and I purchased a new microfiber couch a few months before K was born. Thank God we didn’t spend an arm and a leg for it because in less than a year, the couch is destroyed. It’s covered in throw up stains and water spots. If you’re thinking about a new living room set, block off the room or wait until baby is a little older.
4. Clean up vomit immediately!
Who knew that vomit turns into black mold if you don’t wipe it up? If you don’t want to have to replace your carpets too, then clean up throw up immediately.
5. Hold off on the new wardrobe.
I know you’re excited about all of the baby weight you lost, but hold off on the new wardrobe for at least 6 months. You don’t want to buy a new wardrobe and have to replace it because the baby destroyed it with throw up. Macys will still be around when baby makes it over this hump.
6. Make friends with your Dry Cleaner.
You’re going to be spending a lot of time with this person, so make friends with him or her. In fact, tell them your situation. You may be able to get a discount on all of the clothes you’re going to bring in.
7. Do not lay baby on his or her back after a feeding.
Placing your little one flat on his or her back will exacerbate the problem. If you can’t hold them upright, invest in one of those positioners that keep the baby on an incline. My doctor suggested keeping them upright for 30 minutes after a feeding. It will help keep the milk down.
8. Check your diet.
If you’re breastfeeding, something you’re eating could be causing the extreme vomiting. For example, if your little one cannot tolerate dairy and you’re eating loads of mac and cheese, then you’re going to have a problem. Dry eliminating trigger foods such as caffeine and dairy from your diet and see how that works.
9. Try a different formula.
Again, your baby may not be able to tolerate certain formulas. When I had to supplement with formula, I discovered that K couldn’t drink milk-based formulas. He’s lactose intolerant. Many companies make formulas that help with these types of issues. Talk to your doctor and see if switching your baby’s formula will help.
10. Talk to your doctor.
If you feel like something is wrong, call your doctor and make an appointment. Trust your motherly instincts. It could be infant acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux) and you want your baby to get relief as soon as possible.
In the meantime, don’t get discouraged. This too shall pass. K grew out of his throw up phase. Here are a couple of articles that may help.
Baby Center: Why Babies Spit Up
Mayo Clinic: Spitting Up in Babies – What’s Normal, What’s Not
