Infant Acid Reflux: Every Parent’s Distress

Infant acid reflux or otherwise known as gastroesophageal reflux is more common than anticipated. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse said that almost half of the babies experienced reflux on the first months after they were born.

Usually, infant acid reflux happens after feeding, it may also occur as your baby cries, strains, or coughs. And it is more daunting for parents than it is for the babies. Most babies with reflux are naturally healthy and happy. The infant acid reflux generally disappears three to four months after, while for some, after a year. Unfortunately, some babies cannot outgrow their refluxes.

For the meantime, if you are having this concern right now, it is wise to do little changes in your feeding technique. Why not try giving your bundle of joy smaller amounts in frequent feedings? Also, try shifting position when feeding, or interrupt the feeding session to give time to burp. Burping reduces reflux in great levels. For cases were reflux seemed to be out of control, medical intervention may be needed.

The common signs of infant acid reflux are spitting up, poor feedings and irritability. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter or the circular muscle in between of the esophagus and stomach opens when a person swallows. Other than this, it is firmly shut to keep stomach contents from wandering out of its perimeter. For infants, their lower esophageal sphincter are not fully mature yet, causing the refluxes since their stomach contents are not yet fully blocked. This explains the spitting or vomiting of babies. Other times, air bubbles are the culprits. Or your baby may have drink too much.

The typical infant acid reflux does not affect the baby’s well-being and growth. But it is time to see a doctor if you notice some peculiarities in your baby like he or she is not gaining any weight, spits even more, resists feedings, hoarse voice, and may also show signs of other illnesses like diarrhea, breathing difficulty and fever.

Symptoms should not be disregarded for it may indicate a more serious case like Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or can also be pyloric stenosis. GERD is an austere form of reflux that evokes pain, low weight gain and vomiting. The pyloric stenosis is somewhat rare. It is a condition wherein a valve that lies between the small intestine and stomach impedes the stomach from emptying its contents to the smaller intestine.

Infant acid reflux is diagnosed basing from the symptoms shown and the baby’s physical examination. Diagnostics tests are only required if the doctor suspects a serious case, like that of a GERD. These diagnostic tests include a series of laboratory tests checking the baby’s urine and blood; esophageal pH monitoring to clearly distinguish what causes baby’s irritable moods; upper GI series or upper gastrointestinal (GI) series to check for any abnormalities in the stomach; and upper endoscopy to rule out any esophageal problems, and other concerns.

Treatments largely depend on the baby’s condition. And are commonly limited to some changes in feeding. For breastfeeding mothers, the doctor may advise you to stay away from cow’s milk or other foods. If formula-fed, it helps to switch to other brands. But for more serious cases, higher form of treatments may be administered like medical prescriptions and surgery.

Whether parents like it or not, reflux does happens. To minimize the issue and its impending dilemmas, follow few manageable steps, like: maintain a relax and peaceful feeding so as not to excite your baby that may trigger the reflux, feeding baby in upright position, smaller but frequent feedings, burp your baby after feeding or in between feedings, check the hole in the bottle’s nipple if it is not too large, thickened the formula, and last but definitely not the least, elevate the head part of your baby’s crib. These are simple and yet, very efficient ways to reduce infant acid reflux.