Acid Reflux Disease In Infants: More Common Than You Think
Acid reflux, also called Gastroesophageal Reflux, is a term that describes the condition where the stomach’s contents backwash into the esophagus. This is caused by a relaxing of the muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus, a muscle that’s supposed to remain tightly closed until you swallow. However, in infants, this muscle is still developing and thus may not be able to contract effectively. This usually results in acid reflux disease in infants, causing the child to spit up more than usual. If your child exhibits acid reflux, it’s important for you to stay calm, as acid reflux disease in infants is very common. The condition usually goes away after a year to a year and a half, but if you are still unsure if your baby’s condition is normal, it’s important to see your pediatrician for medical advice. It’s very common for babies to spit up or to have a wet burp after feeding. However, if the spit up is coupled by other symptoms, such as fever or pain/discomfort, that’s when you should seek immediate medical attention. If you feel that the acid reflux disease in your infant isn’t normal, your pediatrician will examine your child for problems such as pain/discomfort, picky eating, slow weight gain as well as sleep disturbance. Acid reflux disease in infants can cause other problems if not monitored. For instance, serious cases of acid reflux can cause asthma, sinus infections, ear problems, low weight gain as well as esophagitis. If these problems present themselves, your doctor may need to resort to medications and/or surgery to combat the problem. Your doctor may first, however, recommend some home care techniques before medication or surgery are administered. Home Care Techniques Home care techniques for acid reflux disease in infants usually involve a certain diet. For instance, breast milk is excellent for babies with acid reflux. Some babies are sensitive to certain foods and it’s important to monitor your baby’s diet to determine if it’s the cause of acid reflux. Your doctor may also instruct you to feed your baby slowly and to offer meals that are more frequent. It is important, too, to burp your child frequently. Keep your baby upright and consult your doctor about sleep positioning, as this, too, can affect acid reflux disease in infants. If the home care techniques don’t work, then your doctor may recommend medications or surgery. These are only for extreme cases, however. It is important to note that you should never attempt any cures or medications without first consulting your doctor. Babies are very sensitive and you wouldn’t want to harm your baby just because you’re trying to alleviate the acid reflux.
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