Infant Acid Reflux: Symptoms And Solutions
Your newborn spits up, just like every other baby, but it’s constant. It doesn’t seem to stop. This could be a symptom of infant acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux. However, the problem is more common than you think. In fact, more than half of all babies suffer from infant acid reflux for the first months of its life, so says the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Most of the time, infant acid reflux presents itself after feeding, but it can also happen after your child coughs, cries or strains. It should be noted, too, that although your baby may suffer from acid reflux, most babies who do are very happy and healthy.
Infant acid reflux will usually dissipate after a year to a year and half, depending on the baby. There are certain steps you can take to assist in lessening the symptoms and these include feeding smaller amounts, feeding more often, changing the baby’s position during feeding, halting feedings in order to burp, as well as giving the baby certain medications or any other techniques as described by your doctor.
Symptoms
If you’re not sure if your baby has acid reflux, there are certain things you want to keep an eye out for. Spitting up, or throwing up, is the classic symptom of infant acid reflux. Your baby may also appear irritable during feedings and he or she might also exhibit signs of an inability to eat. If these symptoms do present themselves, make sure you get the advice of your doctor before you take any steps to combat the problem. Baby’s are unpredictable and the symptoms you’re seeing may just be a phase your child will grow out of. If your baby does indeed have infant acid reflux, it then becomes necessary to find the cause of the problem.
Causes
Infant acid reflux is primarily caused by a relaxing of the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach. This muscle is designed to only open when you swallow. The other times, this muscle is tightly closed to prevent the contents of the stomach from entering the esophagus. However, in babies, this muscle is still undeveloped and thus may relax, allowing the stomach contents to flow into the esophagus and out of your baby’s mouth. Occasionally, air bubbles in the esophagus can push the liquid out of your baby’s mouth. And, other times, your baby may just drink something too fast.
As said before, you must seek medical advice if the symptoms of infant acid reflux present themselves. You should also seek medical advice if your baby isn’t gaining weight, if the spit up is heavy or forceful, if your baby resists feedings or seems hungry between feedings, and you should definitely seek advice if your baby shows signs of fever, diarrhea or has difficulty breathing.
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