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Heartburn Home Remedies for Children

Heartburn is the term used for a burning sensation in the chest or throat caused by abnormal regurgitation, or reflux, of acidic stomach contents. It is a primary symptom of a larger syndrome called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While heartburn most typically affects adults, it also occurs in infants, young children and teenagers. A number of home remedies are available to treat heartburn symptoms in children.

  1. Remedies for Infants

    • According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, your infant's heartburn may manifest as an arching of the back or irritability during or immediately following feedings. In some cases, your infant may also refuse to eat. To diminish or avoid heartburn reflux, try keeping your baby in an upright position for at least 30 minutes after a feeding ends. You may also try burping your baby several times during the feeding itself, rather than waiting until the end. If you bottle feed your baby, try adding 1 tablespoon of rice cereal to every 2 ounces of formula to calm heartburn tendencies. If you use a breast pump to express milk, you can also use this technique. In some cases, the consistency of the cereal will cause clogging in the bottle's nipple. You can remedy this by cutting a larger incision in the nipple's tip or buying a larger gauge nipple. Overfeeding can also encourage heartburn. Ask your child's doctor about appropriate feeding amounts if heartburn symptoms arise.

    Remedies for Young Children and Teenagers

    • If your young child or teenager experiences heartburn, you may try a number of home remedies. Begin by substituting the traditional three large meals a day with smaller, more frequent meals. Also try to eliminate or reduce foods in your child's diet that are common causes of heartburn. Examples include fried and fatty foods, caffeinated sodas, spicy foods, chocolate, peppermint and acid-containing foods like tomatoes and oranges. In addition, avoid providing food for your child within two to three hours of sleep.

      If your child is overweight, encouraging weight loss can significantly reduce the presence of heartburn. In some cases, your child's doctor may recommend elevating the head of your child's bed by several inches to discourage the flow of acidic stomach contents. You may achieve this elevation by securing wooden blocks or other material firmly under the bed's posts. Although you may be tempted to prop your child up with pillows instead, this method is typically not effective.

    Additional Considerations

    • In some cases, you may need to modify your own habits to provide your child with heartburn relief. Second-hand smoke, in particular, is linked to increased risks for GERD symptoms in children. If home remedies are not enough to curb your child's heartburn, your doctor may recommend the use of a number of medications. In rare cases, surgery may also be indicated.

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