Spitting up is common during infancy. When babies cry or suck, they may swallow some gas into the stomach. A little bit of milk may spit up with the gas while burping or drooling. It doesn't mean the baby is sick or in discomfort. So don't worry too much. All you need to do is to clean the baby up with a clean towel to avoid irritation of skin.

Are there any ways to prevent spitting up?

It is practically impossible to prevent all spitting up but there are ways to make it happen less. For instance, burp your baby one to two times during each feeding instead of only once at the end. For babies who tend to spit more often, avoid laying them down immediately after feeding. You may keep the baby in an upright position by holding him in your arms or placing him in an infant seat. This keeps the head of the baby higher than his stomach and it will decrease the chance of spitting up. If you have to put him down immediately, you may elevate the head of the mattress with a rolled up towel. Never use a pillow to keep the baby in an upright position. Another thing you can do is to feed the baby before he gets frantically hungry so that he won't swallow too much air while sucking hard. As infants vary in their appetite, don't force them to eat more than his stomach can hold to avoid spitting up.

How do I tell spitting up from vomiting?

Unlike spitting up, vomiting is forceful and usually produces a larger amount. If your baby vomits, you may need to consult a doctor.

Other than spitting up, my baby hiccups a lot of the time. How do I stop that?

My baby poos every time after feeding. Is it diarrhea?