Tips for Helping a Baby With Acid Reflux
Gastric reflux isn’t as common in babies as it is in adults, but doctors now know that many babies who were formerly diagnosed with colic may in fact have reflux problems. Reflux occurs in babies when their food backs up into their esophagus and causes heartburn. Obviously, baby can’t tell you what he is experiencing with words so you must look for telltale signs of the condition.
Since babies’ digestive systems are so immature, it isn’t uncommon for food to travel back up the esophagus and out the mouth. This is called spit-up and, depending on how much it happens, may or may not be considered a sign of a reflux problem. Some babies are perfectly happy to spit-up a little after every meal. If they show no signs of discomfort while doing this and are gaining weight at a normal pace, then they are what doctors call “happy spitters” and will merely grow out of the messy habit as they mature.
There are a growing number of babies it seems that have more than a messy spit-up habit. They have a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and it can be the cause of many problems. The main problem a child deals with is pain. If baby is arching his back or wriggling around a lot during his feedings then he may be in pain due to GERD. Also, a baby who is lying on his back after a meal may cry out because of the intense heartburn. When baby associates pain with eating, he may go on a food strike and refuse his meals. This, coupled with excessive spit-up, can lead to a baby’s failure to thrive.
There are things a caregiver can do to make a reflux baby as comfortable as possible. While nursing or bottle feeding, try not to let baby lie flat on his back. Let gravity work to his benefit by holding him with his head elevated. Also, shorter and more frequent feedings may help him to digest with fewer problems. With an excessive spitter, stop to burp more frequently and see if that helps. Another important thing to do is to keep baby propped up for at least thirty minutes following a meal. There are special pillows available to place under the fitted sheet of a crib that keeps baby’s head elevated during sleep as well.
If simple measures are not alleviating reflux symptoms enough, then a pediatrician may recommend further action. A breastfeeding mother may be put on an elimination diet in an effort to weed out potential allergens from baby’s milk supply. A baby who is formula fed may need a different kind. There are now specific formulas for reflux and spit-up control, although they can be very pricey. There is also medication, such as Zantac and Reglan, that a pediatrician may prescribed the infant once he is of a certain weight/age.
Living with a reflux baby can be as hard as dealing with colic and a few unlucky families may experience both with one baby. The important thing is to remember that most baby’s outgrow reflux by the age of one and symptoms usually improve greatly by six months. It may seem like a lifetime to a parent who’s baby doesn’t feel well, but there is an end in sight. Provided that the baby’s doctor is aware of the problem and is monitoring all the symptoms, then rest assured that this will all be a distant memory before long.
