Acid Reflux in Babies

GER (Gastroesophageal Reflux) is a backward flow of food contents from stomach to the mouth that is normal in kids, whereas GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is an advanced condition in which there are several complications like painful regurgitation, vomiting, sudden weight loss, etc.

As mentioned above, there is a difference between GER and GERD. While GER goes away on its own as the child grows older, GERD is the condition that develops complications and the child suffers from several other health problems.

Sometimes, it is difficult to spot the difference between the two because of similar symptoms like hiccups, spitting up or vomiting, pain, irritability, etc. However, respiratory problems may be the deciding factor of distinction since it is normally confined to GERD.

Newborn babies have a relatively weak digestive system. The esophageal sphincter does not function properly, which allows the foods and juices to flow back from stomach to the mouth.

This is a condition that is termed as heartburn in adults. When the baby is in the womb, food and its nutrition is exchanged and absorbed directly from the mother's blood. Hence, sometimes as early as up to 3 months or as late as 18 months after birth the baby may expunge ingested food.

However, if this condition persists even after the above-mentioned period or occurs frequently like, after every feed, to such an extent that the baby refuses to eat and becomes weak and irritable, then this may be a tell-tale sign of acid reflux or GERD.

In such cases, regurgitation is normally seen after the baby is breast fed, but it may also occur at other times, like when the baby coughs, sneezes or cries.

• Refusal to eat
• Irritability while being fed
• Constant crying
• Frequent regurgitation of ingested milk
• Frequent hiccups and coughing
• Unable to sleep at night due to irritability and hunger
• Sudden and stiff arching of the back while feeding
• Sudden and rapid weight loss

• Drooling from the corners of the mouth
• Feels pain when the stomach is touched or compressed
• Becomes very shifty while sleeping

Acid reflux in babies can be diagnosed using a number of tests. These include blood and urine tests to check for any infection. Furthermore,esophageal pH test may be required to monitor the pH of the esophagus. 

This will measure the acidity level in the esophagus. In severe cases of acid reflux in infants, an endoscopy can also be done to check for any internally malfunctioning gland or sphincter. This is a relatively invasive procedure and is done only when all the other tests show negative results and the baby is growing progressively weak.

• Make the baby burp several times while feeding. This will help reduce the gastric pressure that may cause a reflux. Waiting to burp until the baby's stomach is full will only increase the risk of a reflux.
• The most important thing is to hold your baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding.

The gravity will keep the food down and prevent from flowing back to the mouth. The ideal position would be to place the baby in your lap with the head nestled against your chest.

• It is advisable to feed your baby with smaller but frequent meals. Feeding every two-three hours will minimize the occurrence of reflux whereas, overfeeding will increase gastric pressure leading to acid reflux.

• It is recommended to add some amount of cereal (rice) to thicken bottle feedings and introduce certain solid foods. (Doctor's approval is a must)

• If the baby is breastfed, then the mother should modify her diet and cut out reflux inducing foods from the diet. The food items that should be excluded are garlic, onion, caffeine, chocolate, spicy foods, fatty and fried foods, citrus fruits, etc.

• Comfortable and appropriate sleeping position at night will also help alleviate the condition. 

Place the baby on his/her back with the head of the crib elevated for about 30 degrees.
These are some basic and easy techniques that will help minimize the occurrences of acid reflux in your little one.

There are various levels of medical treatment that are applicable depending upon the condition of the baby. Firstly, the doctor may recommend drugs like Mylicon and Gaviscon to lessen the frequency of gas. Further, he might also prescribe antacids such as Mylanta and Maaloxto decrease the stomach acids. 

Along with these, certain H2 blockers likeRanitidine or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) are considered to be helpful. However, do not give these medications to your baby without the doctor's approval.

In extremely rare cases of infant acid reflux, when the baby does not respond positively to medications, the doctor may carry out further tests and even a surgery may be required.

It's best to get alarmed when reflux symptoms start appearing too often, to such an extent that the baby is irritable and underfed and go for appropriate treatment.

This story is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical professional.