Some older babies may start being sick more after a period of time with little or no reflux or sickness. It’s not unusual to hear of this happening around 6 months, though you also see it at other ages. If the sickness is very frequent (particularly if baby does not seem well), consider the possibility of an illness and see your GP to rule out any day to day viruses or potential infections/sensitivities.

If your baby does not seem ill, then here are some possible causes:

• It’s unlikely that your baby has suddenly developed a sensitivity to something in your milk, unless there’s something really new in your diet or you’re eaten LOTS of a particular food very recently. Any foods that baby eats are more likely than mum’s food to cause the sickness. Has baby started solids recently or tried a new food? Are you or baby taking any new medications? Have you or baby started taking vitamins or changed your vitamins?
• Has baby been fussier than normal, and/or crying more lately? If so, he is probably swallowing more air than usual, which can trigger the sickness and discomfort.
• Sicking up can be caused by teething. When teething, babies tend to drool more and often swallow a lot of that extra saliva – this can cause extra reflux discomfort. Also, when teething baby’s saliva is more acidic to help soften the gums ready for teeth – this acid can sometime also make nappy rash worse.
• A cold or allergies can result in baby swallowing mucus and being sick.
• Baby may be hitting a growth spurt and swallowing more air at feeding, especially if “guzzling”.
• If you tend to have oversupply or a fast let-down, some mums see renewed symptoms (which can include sick) after a growth spurt.

Essentially, though, if your baby is healthy and doing well despite the reflux—gaining weight well, having enough wet/dirty nappies – then this is a laundry problem rather than a medical issue.