In some cases, medication is prescribed. Sign up to receive expert advice for raising healthy, safe, resilient children.
In order to deliver content specific to your child's milestone or stage in life, please let us know your child's date of birth. A Guide to Reflux in Babies. In this article:. What is infant reflux? Normal reflux in babies Reflux is one of the most common infant feeding problems. Feed small amounts frequently.
If you only feed your baby a small amount, they're going to digest it faster and will be less likely to suffer from reflux like they would if they had too much in his small stomach.
If your baby has reflux, his or her stomach contents come back up into the esophagus. Another name for reflux is gastroesophageal reflux GER. GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is a more serious and long-lasting type of reflux. Babies may have GERD if their symptoms prevent them from feeding or if the reflux lasts more than 12 to 14 months. There is a muscle the lower esophageal sphincter that acts as a valve between the esophagus and stomach. When your baby swallows, this muscle relaxes to let food pass from the esophagus to the stomach.
This muscle normally stays closed, so the stomach contents don't flow back into the esophagus. In babies who have reflux, the lower esophageal sphincter muscle is not fully developed and lets the stomach contents back up the esophagus. This causes your baby to spit up regurgitate.
Once his or her sphincter muscle fully develops, your baby should no longer spit up. Reflux is very common in babies. About half all babies spit up many times a day in the first 3 months of their lives.
They usually stop spitting up between the ages of 12 and 14 months. GERD is also common in younger infants. Many 4-month-olds have it.
In babies, the main symptom of reflux and GERD is spitting up. GERD may also cause symptoms such as. In most cases, a doctor diagnoses reflux by reviewing your baby's symptoms and medical history. If the symptoms do not get better with feeding changes and anti-reflux medicines, your baby may need testing. Several tests can help a doctor diagnose GERD. Sometimes doctors order more than one test to get a diagnosis.
Common tests include. Page last reviewed: 18 February Next review due: 18 February Reflux in babies. Check if your baby has reflux Reflux usually starts before a baby is 8 weeks old and gets better by the time they're 1. Symptoms of reflux in babies include: bringing up milk or being sick during or shortly after feeding coughing or hiccupping when feeding being unsettled during feeding swallowing or gulping after burping or feeding crying and not settling not gaining weight as they're not keeping enough food down Sometimes babies may have signs of reflux, but will not bring up milk or be sick.
Things you can try to ease reflux in babies Your baby does not usually need to see a doctor if they have reflux, as long as they're happy, healthy and gaining weight. Do ask a health visitor for advice and support get advice about your baby's breastfeeding position or how to bottle feed your baby hold your baby upright during feeding and for as long as possible after feeding give formula-fed babies smaller feeds more often make sure your baby sleeps flat on their back they should not sleep on their side or front.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if your baby:.
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