Acid Reflux in Babies

Acid reflux in babies, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), is the backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus, and often into the mouth, which is commonly known as "spitting up." A small amount of spitting up in babies that are breast and bottle fed is normal and tends to disappear by the time a baby reaches 18 months of age.

Significance

An average of two-thirds of healthy infants have acid reflux and spitting up symptoms, which usually peak between 1 and 4 months of age. Breastfed babies have less acid reflux complications and spitting up issues in comparison to formula-fed babies because breast milk is easier to digest and leaves the stomach twice as fast as formula milk. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when complications from acid reflux occur.

Symptoms

Acid reflux in babies is usually obvious, as the main symptom is spitting up after feedings. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) includes symptoms such as vomiting, refusing to feed, arching of the back and pain associated with vomiting.

Home Treatment

There are several ways to treat acid reflux at home. Keep feeding times as calm and quiet as possible, free from distractions and loud noises. Decrease feeding amounts and increase feeding times as smaller feedings are easier for digestion and can significantly improve acid reflux symptoms. Keep your baby upright before, during and and at least 30 after feedings to aid in keeping acid reflux to a minimum. Babies less than 3 months old may be treated for acid reflux problems by simply changing formulas. If you are breastfeeding, try avoiding foods that are possibly causing acid reflux responses such as carbonated beverages, highly processed foods, tomatoes and anything that contains citrus juices and fruit.

Professional Treatment

Diagnostic evaluation and prescription treatment may be necessary if your baby continues to suffer from extreme acid reflux or is thought to have GERD. Prescription medications that may be used for treatment include those that reduce acid in the stomach and speed up the passage time of milk in a baby's intestines. Testing to determine if your baby is suffering from severe acid reflux may include measuring the amount of reflux with pH-probes and endoscopic studies. Esophageal surgery is only used in extreme cases of GERD.

Considerations

Utilize the PAGER (Pediatric/Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association) parent support group for information and support concerning your baby's acid reflux situation. (See Resources.) The group teaches parents how to deal with the stress of acid reflux and GERD and provides monthly newsletters, brochures and monthly meetings to inform parents about coping with acid reflux and GERD and the latest treatments and developments concerning the disease.

Warning

It can be difficult to determine if your baby is suffering from acid reflux and the more severe GERD because many of the symptoms are similar to colic. Complications from GERD and acid reflux problems include bleeding, failure to gain and maintain weight, inadequate growth and even esophagitis and respiratory problems.