Infant Acid Reflux and What You Can Do
Acid reflux disease is among the most common problems affecting babies and infants. Suffering a range of symptoms, babies can experience symptoms from mild to very severe. Some of these symptoms can include recurrent spitting up, increased gas, bad breath, abdominal pain and fussiness.
To understand infant acid reflux symptoms, you first should have a tight grasp on the exact physiological condition of acid reflux. The esophagus carries food from the throat to the stomach. At the bottom of the esophagus is a tiny band of muscles, the LES (lower esophageal sphincter), that opens and closes allowing food to pass. When the food has finished passing, the sphincter closes to prevent the strong stomach acid and food from going back up into the tiny esophagus.
In some cases, babies have an underdeveloped lower esophageal sphincter and it inadvertently allows partially digested food particles and the acid produced in the stomach to aid in digestion to make a backward seep upward and into the esophagus. This is the actual reflux process. The stomach has a protective lining so the acids won’t harm it, however the esophagus is not equipped with this type of defense mechanism. When the acid hits the tender esophagus it causes a burning sensation we commonly term heartburn.
Infant acid reflux can develop as early as 2 to 4 weeks of age. Once the symptoms have been diagnosed, the baby usually receives a prescription medication to calm the symptoms and minimize the amount of acid produced in the stomach during digestion. Fortunately, around 6 months to a year old, the symptoms usually subside gradually. Partly because LES has had time to properly develop, and partly because this is when babies spend a great amount of time feeding in the upright position.
Below you will find a few helpful tips and hints to lessen infant acid reflux symptoms:
1. Smaller feedings more frequently. The stomach is not completely full and has plenty of room to quickly and properly digest the milk. Plus, with less content in the stomach, the baby has that much less to regurgitate or reflux.
2. Maintain an upright position of your baby during and after feeding times. Gravity is key. You want to keep those stomach contents moving downward. If you lie the baby down directly after feeding or feed in a prone position, you are essentially increasing the potential for reflux and regurgitation.
3. Use breast-milk for feeding when you can. Undoubtedly you’ve heard of the benefits of breastmilk. Immune system boosts, vitamin rich, 100% natural and of course the bonding experience between mother and child are among the few things typically associated with breastfeeding. In addition, breastmilk digests faster and contains special enzymes that assist in digestion. If breastfeeding is not an option, it is highly recommended to try a doctor approved hypoallergenic formula as these tend to have similar benefits.
4. Sleeping position for the baby should be a big concern if your baby has trouble sleeping through the night because of acid reflux symptoms. Infants are incapable of changing positions and moving a pillow under their heads for elevation. Imagine being forced to lay in one position all night long with burning pain in your chest and an acid taste in your mouth. Not very pleasant. Try to elevate the head of the crib about 30 degrees and placing the baby on his/her left side. These adjustments will help keep stomach contents in the stomach. If your baby doesn’t have problems during the night no sleep position adjustments are necessary.
For the baby’s health keep a watchful eye on symptoms and what seems to work best in alleviating pain. Each baby is different and what works for one may not work for another when dealing with infant acid reflux.
Diagnosing Acid Reflux In Infants and Children
Studies have shown children and infants are just as susceptible as adults to acid reflux symptoms and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The real problems lies in diagnosing acid reflux in infants and children and the appropriate treatment. Infants especially are hard to diagnose as they have no way to tell us there is a problem other than crying and irritability. Other physical symptoms give the parents a better indication for a real problem such as vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and little or no desire to feed. Older children can voice something is wrong with their little tummy, but they often can’t differentiate between a tummy ache and a burning acid sensation. It’s important for the parents to make themselves aware of the symptoms to look for and what treatment options are available.
In addition to the symptoms listed above, babies and children experiencing acid reflux symptoms can show subtle signs like increased gas, bad breath or even respiratory problems. More severe symptoms include projectile vomiting and failure to thrive. This is not a complete list of symptoms associated with acid reflux and GERD in infants and children, and it is wise to keep a watchful eye out for exactly when they occur, if they appear to be related to foods and how often they are happening.
Some home fixes for acid reflux symptoms in babies and children are easy to accommodate and safe. For babies, burp your baby several times during feeding time and avoid lying the baby down directly after a feeding. Just like adults, the baby needs time to properly digest the food. If the baby lies down for bed right after a feeding stomach pressure is increase and the likelihood of symptom recurrence is greater. Things to consider in older children are slightly different. Limit or avoid altogether carbonated beverages, caffeine, fatty foods, chocolate and citrus fruits that are high in acid content. Again, keep the child up after eating for a period of time. With dietary modifications and lifestyle changes, the symptoms may be much more controllable.
If your infant or child continues to experience symptoms of gastric reflux, consult a physician. They have an arsenal of medications to aid in treatment. A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) decreases the amount of acid produced by the acid pumps in the stomach and an H2 blocker stop the production of acid; both of which are commonly prescribed and also available over-the-counter. Before giving your child any over-the-counter medications for acid reflux it is advised to seek the advice of a qualified professional pediatrician.
In severe cases your pediatrician may even suggest surgical intervention. This is an effective way to manage symptoms that are unresponsive to both home and pharmaceutical infant acid reflux treatments. Sometimes, repeat surgeries are required as the child continues to develop and grow and expect your baby or child to be on prescribed acid blockers for a period of time after the surgery.
As a parent, it’s imperative to arm yourself with the tools necessary for recognizing acid reflux symptoms, treatment with dietary modifications and when to contact the primary care provider for assistance. When acid reflux is left untreated it may contribute to other more serious problems and even hospitalization.
