Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Spitting up is common in newborns — but when should parents be concerned? In this episode of Little Lessons, Dr. Lena van der List, pediatrician at UC Davis Children’s Hospital and mom of two, explains physiologic gastroesophageal reflux in babies, why it peaks between 3–6 months, and if infants an outgrow it. She reviews what typical spit-up looks like, why babies are prone to reflux, and when it's ok not to worry.
Dr. van der List also explains when reflux may signal gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including feeding refusal, poor weight gain, or significant discomfort. Learn practical steps parents can try first, plus when to talk to your pediatrician about possible milk or soy protein intolerance, hypoallergenic formula, or short-term acid-suppressing medications. This evidence-based guide helps parents know what’s normal — and when to seek care.
Watch more episodes of Little Lessons with Dr. Lena van der List: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM7qvIv8N9Rs-woHEQx69oSImJQHHnqLC
Breastfeeding Tips From a Lactation Consultant: youtu.be/4F5PrxKhL4Q
This video includes an audio description track. To hear the narration of on‑screen text, turn on "English Descriptive" in the player’s settings menu.
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At UC Davis Children’s Hospital, we put your child at the center of everything that we do. It’s personalized care, uniquely sized for your child. You’ll see it in our child-friendly designs throughout the hospital, our farm-to-fork approach to dining, our playrooms and teen rooms and our team that feels like family. UC Davis Children’s Hospital is Sacramento’s only nationally ranked, comprehensive hospital for children, serving infants, children, adolescents and young adults with primary, subspecialty and critical care.
UC Davis Children’s Hospital: https://children.ucdavis.edu
Children’s Surgery Center: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/childrens-surgery-center/
Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/child-life/
Fetal Care and Treatment Center: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/fetal-care-treatment-center/
See the latest news from UC Davis Health: https://health.ucdavis.edu/newsroom
Kids Considered podcast: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM7qvIv8N9Rtl7F3ziKi_A-dm0eKSvQBt
Facebook: facebook.com/UCDavisChildrensHospital
Instagram: instagram.com/ucdavischildren
Twitter/X: twitter.com/UCDavisChildren
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0:00 is reflux in infants common?
0:23 What causes reflux in newborns and infants?
1:24 What is GERD?
1:50 How is GERD treated in babies?
2:14 Can diet contribute to reflux in babies?
3:00 Can infants outgrow GERD?
#BabyReflux #InfantReflux #GERDinBabies #NewbornCare #BabyHealth
Spitting up is common in newborns — but when should parents be concerned? In this episode of Little Lessons, Dr. Lena van der List, pediatrician at UC Davis Children’s Hospital and mom of two, explains physiologic gastroesophageal reflux in babies, why it peaks between 3–6 months, and if infants an outgrow it. She reviews what typical spit-up looks like, why babies are prone to reflux, and when it's ok not to worry.
Dr. van der List also explains when reflux may signal gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including feeding refusal, poor weight gain, or significant discomfort. Learn practical steps parents can try first, plus when to talk to your pediatrician about possible milk or soy protein intolerance, hypoallergenic formula, or short-term acid-suppressing medications. This evidence-based guide helps parents know what’s normal — and when to seek care.
Watch more episodes of Little Lessons with Dr. Lena van der List: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM7qvIv8N9Rs-woHEQx69oSImJQHHnqLC
Breastfeeding Tips From a Lactation Consultant: youtu.be/4F5PrxKhL4Q
This video includes an audio description track. To hear the narration of on‑screen text, turn on "English Descriptive" in the player’s settings menu.
——
At UC Davis Children’s Hospital, we put your child at the center of everything that we do. It’s personalized care, uniquely sized for your child. You’ll see it in our child-friendly designs throughout the hospital, our farm-to-fork approach to dining, our playrooms and teen rooms and our team that feels like family. UC Davis Children’s Hospital is Sacramento’s only nationally ranked, comprehensive hospital for children, serving infants, children, adolescents and young adults with primary, subspecialty and critical care.
UC Davis Children’s Hospital: https://children.ucdavis.edu
Children’s Surgery Center: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/childrens-surgery-center/
Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/child-life/
Fetal Care and Treatment Center: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/fetal-care-treatment-center/
See the latest news from UC Davis Health: https://health.ucdavis.edu/newsroom
Kids Considered podcast: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM7qvIv8N9Rtl7F3ziKi_A-dm0eKSvQBt
Facebook: facebook.com/UCDavisChildrensHospital
Instagram: instagram.com/ucdavischildren
Twitter/X: twitter.com/UCDavisChildren
——
0:00 is reflux in infants common?
0:23 What causes reflux in newborns and infants?
1:24 What is GERD?
1:50 How is GERD treated in babies?
2:14 Can diet contribute to reflux in babies?
3:00 Can infants outgrow GERD?
#BabyReflux #InfantReflux #GERDinBabies #NewbornCare #BabyHealth
