Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants & Children

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), also known as Acid Reflux, is when stomach liquid backs up into the esophagus. Fifty percent of babies suffer from this, but most outgrow it by 1 year of age. Older children can experience this, too, and there are natural steps relieve it.

Cause

• In older kids, the causes of GERD are the same as adults: medication, large meals, exercising or laying down after a meal, being overweight and certain foods. In infants it is usually due to a weak gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms in Babies

• Frequent vomiting after a meal, frequent cough, refusal to eat, difficulty eating, excessive gas, regurgitation, irritability, wet burps and not gaining sufficient weight are the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in babies.

Symptoms in Children

• Experiencing a burning sensation in the chest or throat, feeling like food is stuck in the throat, a cough, bad breath and hoarseness are symptoms to watch for in children.

Solutions for Babies

• Elevate the head of the crib 6 to 8 inches, give smaller, more frequent feedings, hold the baby upright during and for 30 minutes after a feeding, and burp the baby thoroughly. Breastfeeding also helps. If already breastfeeding, the mother should try altering her diet to avoid trigger foods.

Solutions for Children

• Elevate the head of the bed 6 to 8 inches, have the child sit upright for 2 hours after a meal, feed the child several smaller meals throughout the day and make sure he gets exercise regularly (but not after eating),

Trigger Foods

• Trigger foods include citrus, chocolate, caffeine, fried foods, spice foods and tomato-based foods.