Seeing your baby spit up after a feed is a common part of parenthood. But for some babies, the spitting up is more frequent or severe, leading to discomfort and distress. This might be a sign of baby reflux, a condition that, while common, can cause a lot of worry for parents.
This guide will help you understand the difference between normal spitting up and true reflux. We’ll outline the key infant GERD symptoms, provide gentle strategies for managing baby reflux, and, most importantly, tell you exactly when to call doctor reflux is a concern.
What is Baby Reflux? The Difference Between GER and GERD
Reflux occurs when the food a baby has swallowed comes back up from the stomach. This happens because the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle that acts as a valve between the esophagus and stomach, is still developing and not yet strong enough to hold all the contents down.
- GER (Gastroesophageal Reflux): This is the term for normal, common reflux. It typically begins around 2-3 weeks of age and often resolves on its own by 12-18 months. It usually presents as baby spitting up excessively but doesn’t cause any pain or health problems.
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): This is a more serious, chronic form of reflux where the stomach acid irritates the esophagus and causes additional symptoms like pain, poor weight gain, or breathing issues. GERD requires medical intervention.
Recognizing Infant GERD Symptoms
While spitting up is a normal part of GER, watch for these signs that your baby may have the more serious GERD:
- Excessive Fussiness and Crying: Especially during or after feedings. The baby may arch their back and pull away from the breast or bottle as if in pain.
- Poor Weight Gain: This is the most important red flag. If the reflux is causing your baby to not gain weight or to lose weight, it is a significant medical concern.
- Feeding Aversion: The baby may seem to refuse food or only eat small amounts due to the pain associated with eating.
- Respiratory Issues: The reflux of stomach acid can sometimes lead to chronic coughing, wheezing, or frequent ear infections.
Strategies for Managing Baby Reflux
If you suspect your baby has reflux, you should consult with your pediatrician. With their guidance, you can try some of these at-home strategies for managing baby reflux.
- Keep Baby Upright: Keep your baby in an upright position during feeding and for at least 20-30 minutes afterward.
- Burp Frequently: Burp your baby every few minutes during a feed to release any trapped air.
- Smaller, More Frequent Feeds: Feeding smaller amounts more often can prevent the stomach from getting too full.
- Change Formula: Your doctor may recommend a specialized formula for reflux baby that is easier to digest.
- Use a Thickener: For formula-fed or breastfed babies (with expressed milk), a pediatrician may recommend a thickener for baby reflux to help keep the contents in the stomach. Never add a thickener without a doctor’s recommendation, as it can become a choking hazard.
- Evaluate Your Diet (for breastfed babies): If you are breastfeeding, your doctor may suggest eliminating common allergens like dairy or soy from your diet for a few weeks to see if symptoms improve.
When to Call Doctor Reflux Is a Concern
While the tips above can help, certain symptoms are a signal that you need to contact your pediatrician immediately.
Call your doctor immediately if you see:
- A baby who is not gaining weight, is losing weight, or has significantly fewer wet diapers.
- Forceful, projectile vomiting.
- The baby is choking, gagging, or seems to be having difficulty breathing.
- Blood in your baby’s vomit or stool.
Conclusion
While seeing your baby spitting up excessively can be upsetting, it’s a normal part of development for most babies. By understanding the infant GERD symptoms and implementing gentle strategies for managing baby reflux, you can provide comfort and relief. But most importantly, by knowing exactly when to call doctor reflux is causing serious issues, you can ensure your baby gets the professional care they need to grow and thrive.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The content of this blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your pediatrician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your baby’s development.
The information shared here is not intended to cure, treat, or prevent any disease. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Before making any changes to your child’s care or seeking any medical intervention, you must consult with a qualified healthcare professional to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual child’s health needs.