Acid Reflux In Babies and Toddlers

Believe it or not, nearly all new parents will have to deal with the problem of acid reflux in their baby at one time or another. The condition is considered one of the primary causes of colic.

Colic is a dreaded condition in which the afflicted baby cries inconsolably for extended periods of time. When acid reflux occurs in babies, it is marked by noticeable discomfort and, quite often, pain.

This condition, is generally the result of external influences on the body. One such influence can be diet. The condition is often difficult to discern in an infant because the only way for a child of that age to communicate discomfort is through crying!

Please know that GERD is not the same as reflux, which is normal, healthy behavior in a child. Up until the child turns one year of age, he or she may bring up food after eating. Now just think of how many times you've been spit up on by a baby......ugh!

However, some babies will experience frequent bouts of vomiting, accompanied by other symptoms such as:

• Frequent Coughing
• Abnormal patterns of waking during the night
• Refusing Food
• Abdominal pain and respiratory problems.

It's important that you are aware, however, that these symptoms even a combination of all of these symptoms may not be a sign of GERD, but rather a sign of another illness such as pneumonia or colic.

Please take your child to see his or her pediatrician if he or she should exhibit any of these symptoms.

If your child is diagnosed with GERD (see How to Detect GERD in Babies) , the following measures have been known to be effective to prevent further bouts of the condition:

1. Ensure baby stays upright rather than lying down for at least 30 minutes after each feeding, to prevent the acid from being regurgitated.

2. Try adjusting the baby's feeding schedule. This can be discussed with your child's doctor upon diagnosis.

3. It may help to fortify or thicken the baby's milk with some cereal (See GERD and Baby Feeding ), to make it easier on his or her stomach.

4. You may want to discuss the treatment of the condition with antacids, acid blockers or acid suppressors.

Be reminded that no treatment should be administered, however, without first having the condition diagnosed by a doctor, who will then make recommendations suited to your individual child.

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