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My baby keeps spitting up — is it reflux?
Reflux is common in babies and usually gets better on its own. Here’s what you can do and when to get help.
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What it is
Reflux is when a baby brings up milk, or is sick, during or shortly after feeding [1]. It happens because the ring of muscle inside your baby’s food pipe can be weak, which lets milk come back up easily [3]. This muscle gets stronger as your baby gets older, and the reflux usually stops [3].
Reflux usually starts before a baby is 8 weeks old and gets better by the time they’re 1 [1]. Symptoms include bringing up milk or being sick during or shortly after feeding, coughing or hiccupping when feeding, being unsettled during feeding, swallowing or gulping after burping or feeding, crying and not settling, and not gaining weight because they’re not keeping enough food down [1]. Some babies have signs of reflux but do not bring up milk or be sick — this is called silent reflux [1].
It’s common for a baby under 1 to bring up a little milk during or shortly after a feed without being distressed [4]. Your baby usually does not need to see a doctor if they have reflux, as long as they’re happy, healthy, and gaining weight [4].
What you can do at home
If reflux seems to bother your baby, try these things [4]:
- Ask a health visitor for advice and support.
- Get advice about your breastfeeding position or how to bottle feed your baby.
- Hold your baby upright during feeding and for as long as possible after feeding.
- Burp your baby regularly during feeds.
- Make sure your baby sleeps flat on their back — not on their side or front.
Do not raise the head of their cot or Moses basket [5].
If your baby is formula-fed, a GP or specialist may recommend a powder that’s mixed with formula to thicken it, or a pre-thickened formula milk [2]. If thickening powder does not help, or your baby is breastfed, a GP or specialist might recommend medicines that help with distress from reflux and stop their stomach from producing as much acid [2]. Very rarely, surgery might be needed to strengthen the muscle that stops food or milk travelling back up — usually only after trying other things or if reflux is severe [2].
A GP or specialist may also check whether your baby has an allergy to cow’s milk, because symptoms can be very similar to reflux [2].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
See a GP if your baby [5]:
- Is not improving after trying things to ease reflux.
- Gets reflux for the first time after they’re 6 months old.
- Is older than 1 and still has reflux.
- Is not gaining weight or is losing weight.
Ask your doctor for an urgent appointment or get medical advice if your baby [5]:
- Has vomit that’s green or yellow, or has blood in it.
- Is projectile vomiting (being sick with more force than usual).
- Has blood in their poo.
- Has a swollen or tender tummy.
- Has a very high temperature, or feels hot, cold, or shivery.
- Keeps being sick and cannot keep fluid down.
- Has diarrhoea that lasts for over a week or has signs of dehydration.
- Will not stop crying and is very distressed.
- Is refusing to feed.
Also contact your doctor if you have any other concerns about your baby [5].
Common questions
Is reflux the same as colic? No. Colic is when a baby cries more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for at least 1 week but is otherwise healthy [7]. Reflux is one possible reason a baby may be crying, but colic can also be from hunger, a dirty nappy, wind, constipation, or food allergies [7]. If you’re not sure what’s wrong, speak to your health visitor, call NHS 111, or see a GP [7].
Could reflux be a cow’s milk allergy? Yes, symptoms can be very similar [2]. A GP or specialist may check for this [2].
When does reflux stop? It usually gets better by the time your baby is 1 [1]. Colic, which is different, usually stops by 3 to 4 months [7].
Sources
[1] NHS — “Reflux in babies” (2025), section “Reflux in babies”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/reflux-in-babies/ [2] NHS — “Reflux in babies” (2025), section “Treatment for reflux in babies”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/reflux-in-babies/ [3] NHS — “Reflux in babies” (2025), section “Causes of reflux”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/reflux-in-babies/ [4] NHS — “Reflux in babies” (2025), section “Things you can try to ease reflux in babies”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/reflux-in-babies/ [5] NHS — “Reflux in babies” (2025), section “Don’t”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/reflux-in-babies/ [7] NHS — “Colic” (2022), section “Symptoms of colic”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colic/
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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