Acid Reflux In Babies

Acid levels in the stomach can increase both in babies as well as adults, casuing discomfort and the burning sensations due to acid reflux. Adults can tell what they are feeling but in case of babies the parents have to take utmost care and look out for any changes in the baby's health and behaviour, especially after the baby has been fed. If you have any concerns about your baby's health or behaviour, you must consult your doctor. Usually acid reflux in babies disappears as the baby grows older. It can vanish altogether when the baby reaches 6 to12 months old. However, if the reflux is still there a doctor needs to be informed.

It is not an easy task to detect acid reflux in babies. Consulting a doctor is mandatory if you suspect your baby suffers from acid reflux. The common indication of this is "spitting up" or "sicking". Spitting can occur even if the baby sneezes or coughs. The doctor's advice may vary with the severity of the disease.

• Cause of the reflux: Acid reflux in babies is caused because the digestive system is not fully developed. This results into the food coming back from the stomach through the oesophagus to the throat. The oesophagus is the name of the tube that links the throat and the stomach. Due to weak functioning of the valve between the stomach and the oesophagus, the acids from the stomach that normally digest the food can flow back into the throat and mouth. The contents of the stomach also come back in the throat, together with gas created by the digestive process, making the baby throw up what has been eaten.
• Signs of acid reflux in babies: Throwing out, or projectile vomiting as it can be called, is often seen in babies after feeding. They tend to spit up all that they have eaten and end up getting messed up! Since their digestive system is delicate, they sometimes cannot tolerate the pressure of the gases generated by the process of digestion in their stomach. Though some babies spit up accasionally, they are quite healthy. In other babies, vomiting after feeds can result in loss of weight. This is a serious problem and a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. Continuous and frequent fever can also be observed in a few babies. Breathing disorders, voice changes, difficulty in swallowing can also be observed.
• Knowing the changes: If you notice any irregular changes in your baby's health it is time to consult the doctor.
• Preventing the mess: Some small caring steps towards helping your baby to digest their food will be good for your baby's health, as well as prevent the embarrassing situations that can follow from your baby being sick after feeds. Feed your baby with extra small meals with uniform gaps between the feeds. Let the gases produced during digestion pass away by holding the baby straight during and after feeding and gently rubbing the babies back to encourage them to burp. . Burping will reduce the pressure on the digestive system. Make the baby burp! If you are not sure how to do this, seek advice from your doctor or nurses at your doctor's surgery.

Feeding your baby natural food is essential. Breast feed is the lightest, the healthiest, and most easily digestable food for your baby. Breast feeding also builds a bond between the mother and the baby. Take advice from your doctor or nurse on the best way to wean your baby from breast milk to more solid foods. Remember to 'burp' your bay after each meal. In the day time, you can let the baby lie on the stomach for half an hour after its meal.

Include new food items slowly, as you make changes in the baby's diet.

With small changes in the baby's lifestyle and a little care you can make big difference.

As you learn more about how to prevent problems with poor digestion resulting from changes in your baby's diet.and take advice on how to treat the condition, so you can minimise the chances of acid reflux in babies being a problem.