Q: Is it normal for milk to come out of my 3-month-old's nose when he spits up?

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Q: Hi, I'm a bit worried. My little one is 3 months old and sometimes when he spits up, breast milk comes out of his nose. Is this something I should be concerned about? I'm trying to figure out why it's happening and what I can do to prevent it. Thanks for any advice!

A: This is known as nasal regurgitation, and it’s fairly common in young babies. It happens because babies have a short and still-developing esophagus, so when they feed too quickly or swallow air, milk can sometimes come out through the nose. This is generally harmless. To help reduce this, try feeding your baby in a slightly upright position and take breaks to burp them during and after feeding. Keeping them upright for a little while after feeding can also help. In rare cases, frequent nasal regurgitation can be linked to issues like a cleft palate or other anatomical differences. If this happens frequently or if you notice any signs of discomfort, difficulty feeding, or poor weight gain, it’s a good idea to consult your pediatrician for an evaluation.

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