Spitting up: Ways To Deal With Your Baby's Reflux

A couple of months after my daughter was born, I noticed that she was spitting up a lot. I was a fairly concerned whether she was receiving enough nutrients because it normally occurred soon after every feeding. I brought her in for a check up and my pediatrician informed me that my girl has infant acid reflux.

Acid reflux in infants is relatively common, and it impacts over 50 percent of all infants. The cause of infant acid reflux in infants is generally an immature digestive system. At birth, the gastrointestinal tract is immature in terms of digesting and moving food along the tract. The lower esophageal sphincter is a specialized muscle which functions like a valve, which only opens to let food and liquid to be swept through into the stomach. If the muscle has not entirely matured like those in infants, stomach contents may sometimes regurgitate, or flow back again up to the esophagus and out of your infant's mouth.

The signs and symptoms of infant acid reflux include spitting up, irritability throughout or after feedings, and poor feedings. Commonly, infant acid reflux doesn't really interfere with your infant's growth. Even so parents need to be watchful for other signs, which may indicate a more critical condition like gastroesophageal reflex disease or GERD. This is a serious form of reflux that can lead to vomiting, pain and poor weight gain. You need to reach your doctor if you observe that your baby is weak, or if he spits up forcefully, and if he resists feedings. Take notice also of the amount and the color of the fluid that your baby spits up. Your physician must be knowledgeable if your infant spits up green or brownish fluid, or if the total amount of fluid is more than one or two tablespoons per episode.

Though infant acid reflux is expected to clear up on its own, it can be relatively distressing for parents. Modifying your feeding habits may be vital in its management. Feed or nurse your baby in a relaxing environment. A frantic child is more likely to regurgitate his feeding. It is also important to feed your baby in an upright position to stop reflux. Similiarly, maintain your baby in a seated position 15 to 30 minutes immediately after each feeding. Infant seats and baby carriers can assist in maintaining the baby upright, therefore enabling stomach contents to settle.

Your infant may tolerate small frequent feedings much better. Try giving an ounce of formula at intervals, and limit nursing to one breast at a time if you are breastfeeding. . If you're using a bottle, check if you have the correct nipple size. If the nipple is too large, it can enable milk to flow faster. On the other hand, a nipple which is too small may only allow your infant to swallow more air bubbles. This should be avoided because air bubbles in the esophagus may lead to reflux. It is also crucial to burp your baby frequently to keep air from building in the stomach. Do not burp your infant over your shoulder, as it may only put pressure on his abdomen. A much better way is to prop your little one in a seated position, with your hands supporting his head.

If home treatments won't do the job for your little one and if the signs or symptoms persist, consult your health care provider. If you're breastfeeding, your physician may suggest that you avoid cow's milk. Changing brands may also lessen the symptoms for formula-fed infants. Infant acid reflux may bother some infants and parents, but if the symptoms can be managed by changing feeding habits, burp cloths come handy in keeping the mess to a minimum.


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