How To Treat Acid Reflux In Babies
Acid Reflux in babies occurs when food moves from the stomach into the esophagus (food pipe).
Reflux is common in babies as they have short esophagus and underdeveloped lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a muscle that usually prevents food from travelling back up the food pipe but the LES can sometimes be underdeveloped in babies. It’s nothing to worry about and it will get better with time. Usually, by 18 months this muscle is more developed and goes away on its own.
I remember when my son had horrible reflux when he was around 5 weeks old and I didn’t sleep in three days. Every time I put him down on his back to sleep he would start grunting, crying and spitting up. The only thing I could do to relieve his pain was to hold him upright. This meant that I got zero sleep.
Here is some information on reflux in babies and what you can do to relieve your baby’s symptoms.
What is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux, also known as GER (Gastroesophageal Reflux) occurs when acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your esophagus. GER is a digestive disorder that may cause heartburn as acid frequently goes to the esophagus and may sometimes cause painful burps and heartburn. This sometimes results in excessive vomiting in babies.
GER is also associated with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder or better known as GERD. However, the latter has other associated symptoms like weight loss but they are more likely caused by the same reasons.
Reflux Vs Happy Spitter
Babies spit up, it’s normal. Just because your baby is spitting up it doesn’t mean they have reflux. If the spit up isn’t bothering them it shouldn’t bother you.
It only becomes a problem if your baby isn’t gaining weight and it’s causing them discomfort. If your baby is frequently grunting, excessively vomiting and seems uncomfortable you may need to seek treatment for acid reflux.
Other Causes Of Infant Reflux Include:
1. Feeding Position
If babies lie flat during feeds, chances are milk won’t go down properly and is more likely to come back up. Think about it, would you want to eat lying down? Probably not. Try to hold them upright while feeding and make sure your baby’s head is elevated.
2. Overfeeding
Just like adults, babies get the urge to puke when they overeat.
I remember when my baby would fall asleep mid bottle and I was told to wake him up to get him to finish the bottle. This was a big mistake. He just ended up spitting up the excess and he would be in discomfort for hours.
When a baby’s tummy is so full, the excess food won’t have enough room. Remember your baby’s tummy is tiny. When the stomach is full food tends to move upwards to the esophagus and out of the mouth. So remember to look for the signs your baby is full to avoid overfeeding.
3. Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a condition wherein the stomach takes longer to digest food than normal.
The vagus nerve is responsible for moving food from the stomach to the small intestine. Normally, the stomach takes about 6 to 8 hours to process food and let it pass through the small intestine.
However, if the vagus nerve is disrupted and not able to work properly, food will remain in your baby’s stomach for longer, which makes the baby full and can somehow cause vomiting. If you think your baby might have Gastroparesis, speak to a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
5. Hereditary Cause
Hereditary means a disorder that is passed on through genetics. If GERD is common in your family and if you notice that your infant always has acid reflux symptoms, it may be a hereditary disorder.
6. Prematurity
Babies that are born prematurely can have acid reflux as their digestive system is not fully matured. In the case of acid reflux, a premature baby might not have a fully grown digestive system and their muscles might abnormally function. Thus, the lower esophageal sphincter might not function right, causing it to open which leads to constant reflux.
The list stated are the most common causes of acid reflux among babies. However, according to Mayo Clinic, infants may have acid reflux because of more serious conditions such as:
Pyloric stenosis: The valve between the stomach and the small intestine is narrowed, preventing stomach contents from emptying into the small intestine.
Food intolerance: A protein in cow’s milk is the most common trigger for acid reflux in babies. If your baby is formula-fed using a cow’s milk-based formula try speaking to your doctor about trying a different formula. If you are breastfeeding it could even be something in your breastmilk triggering the reflux.
Eosinophilic esophagitis: A certain type of white blood cell (eosinophil) builds up and injures the lining of the esophagus.
Some causes of acid reflux are controllable and some are not. It is recommended to see a doctor if your baby frequently suffers from reflux to ensure your baby is healthy. Do not use Dr Google to diagnose your baby. This article is just a guide.
Does My Baby Have Reflux?
The most common indication of acid reflux is when a baby vomits after eating. If your baby vomits like the exorcist after a feed this could indicate reflux. If they simply spit up then they are probably fine. Remember that some babies can have silent reflux.
What is Silent Reflux?
Silent Reflux is when a baby rarely vomits but suffers pain and discomfort associated with acid reflux. If your baby is grunting and is uncomfortable after feeds but is not vomiting it could possibly be silent reflux.
Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Babies.
Rejecting food despite being hungry
A baby may begin to associate food with discomfort and as a result, might start refusing feeds.
If this happens, it may be that the esophagus is too narrow or the LES is not able to function well. Consequently, a baby’s instinct is to stop eating, as they know they know eating is causing them pain. If your baby is irritable when being fed and starts crying; it may be a response to esophageal irritation or abdominal discomfort.
Low Weight Gain or Weight Loss
When a baby vomits after feeding, it is more likely that they will have difficulty gaining weight. This might cause serious problems. Infants need adequate nutrition for their immune system to mature.
Gagging
Infants have a very sensitive gag reflex as it prevents them from choking. Nonethelessif your baby is frequently gagging it may indicate their oesophagus is irritated as a result of acid reflux.
Back arching
When you see your baby arch their back during and after eating, it may be due to a burning sensation caused by excessive production of acid inside the stomach.
So it’s best to observe the baby’s posture as well so you’ll know when to stop feeding them; you may be feeding more than enough the infant can take. I know my son would arch his back whenever I would try to burp him and it would make it hard to relieve his gassiness.
Sleep Disturbances and Grunting When Lying Flat.
When babies are lying flat their tiny esophagus is in a position that allows stomach acid to come back up into your baby’s throat.
If you notice that your baby is grunting and waking up crying all night despite not being hungry or in need of a nappy change they may have acid reflux. Try feeding your baby at least an hour before putting them to bed to ensure that the food has travelled to the stomach to reduce the likelihood of food coming back up.
How Acid Reflux in Babies Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux or gastroesophageal disease in infants should be done by doctors. For this reason, conducting tests is essential.
If you think your baby has acid reflux speak to your paediatrician or GP.
Things You Can Do To Help With Your Baby’s Reflux.
Don’t overfeed your baby
Look for signs that your baby is full and stop when they’re done.
Keep your baby stay upright after feeding.
I know we don’t all have time to hold our babies upright for an hour after every feed. I was doing this and it was exhausting. It was a never-ending cycle of feeding and holding my baby upright and I got no sleep.
if your baby can’t sit up themselves you can try wearing your baby in a carrier or putting them in an inclined seat like a bouncer or swing. Although please note that you shouldn’t leave your baby in a swing or bouncer for excessive periods of time as it is bad for their posture and can cause flat heads in babies.
Burp your baby often every after each feed
Easier said than done. My baby would never burp. No matter what I did. If your baby is similar you can try purchasing over the counter remedies to help release wind.
Burping is important as air in the stomach can lead to vomiting and discomfort.
Incline Your Baby’s Bed
Keeping your baby’s head elevated above their legs can help keep acid in the stomach. Just remember that babies cannot use pillows and other propping devices. These are dangerous and can lead to SIDS. You can safely elevate your baby by slightly reclining their bassinet or cot. You can do this by placing things such as phone books under the legs of your baby’s bed or eco-friendly mattress.
Over-the-counter medicine
There are several over the counter remedies for babies with tummy issues such as gripe water and Infacol.
Please note gripe water has been known to upset small babies tummies so Infacol is better if you have a baby under 2 months.
Infacol contains simethicone. Simethicone works by bringing all of the air in your baby’s stomach together so that it can be expelled in one big burp. I tried Infacol with my baby and he went from a baby that never burped to a baby that did giant burps after each feed. I think it really helped with his reflux.
Look at their diet
If your baby is breastfed you may need to look at your diet to see if anything is irritating your baby. Breastfed babies are also more likely to have reflux than formula-fed babies as breastmilk has a thinner consistency than formula and can therefore come up the oesophagus easier.
If your baby is formula-fed you can speak to your doctor about trying an acid reflux (AR) formula. AR formulas are thicker and designed to stay in your baby’s stomach. Please note that you may need fast-flow teats for acid reflux formula as the thicker consistency stops it from coming through most teats. AR formula also usually needs to be served cold or at room temperature so your baby may not like it as much.
Medication
Some babies may or may not require medication to deal with gastroesophageal reflux.
The fact remains that reflux is common in babies because of their immature esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter. Yet, parents must always observe their babies if there are other underlying symptoms present in their babies. Rapid weight loss, difficulty with feeding and eating, or pain and long periods of unsettled behavior, then it’s probably best to go to the nearest pediatrician and seek thorough medical advice.
Healthcare professionals may advise medication if your child’s digestion and eating habits don’t improve even after doing some home remedies. Doctors usually prescribe medications like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2 blockers which lower the amount of acid the stomach produces. These drugs are used to alleviate the symptoms of GER and improve the lining of the esophagus. However, the medications may cause infections so it is highly recommended to talk to your doctor about it.
What Should You Do?
If your baby is showing signs of GER or has been diagnosed with GER, it’s good to follow home remedies before trying any invasive options or strong medications.
Always remember to not administer medication if not prescribed by a doctor. Good luck and remember it will get better with time!
