Can spitting up be a sign of a problem?

Certain signs and symptoms might indicate an underlying condition or something more serious than run-of-the-mill spitting up. Contact your baby's doctor if your baby:

• Isn't gaining weight
• Spits up forcefully
• Spits up green or yellow fluid
• Spits up blood or a material that looks like coffee grounds
• Refuses feedings repeatedly
• Has blood in his or her stool
• Has difficulty breathing or other signs of illness
• Begins spitting up at age 6 months or older
• Cries for more than three hours a day and is more irritable than normal
• Has fewer wet diapers than usual

Treatment depends on what's causing the problem. Special feeding techniques might be helpful. In other cases, the doctor might prescribe medication to treat reflux.