Acid Reflux Remedy for Children

Children who have acid reflux may suffer from aggressive burping with excessive amounts of stomach acid, constant urge to clear their throats and severe stomach and abdominal pain. Parents of children who suffer from acid reflux have many options for remedies and treatments.

Home Remedies

• Prevent acid reflux flare-ups by giving your child frequent smaller meals throughout the day instead of three large meals. Allow your child to eat meals slowly and calmly. After meals, make sure your child stays upright until his stomach can settle. Try limiting foods that trigger acid reflux symptoms in children such as foods that contain citric acid, tomato products, carbonated drinks and sodas, licorice-flavored candy and anything that contains chocolate. For school-age children, pack lunches that do not trigger acid reflux symptoms. Ask your child's teacher to monitor foods served in the classroom for special occasions such as birthdays and holidays. Avoid giving your child medications that contain aspirin and all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory types of medications. Children also benefit from having the head of their bed elevated or sleeping with extra pillows which prevents acid from flushing back up into the esophagus at night.

  Children who are active on a daily basis suffer fewer acid reflux issues. Parents should encourage their children to exercise at least 60 minutes a day by playing basketball, riding their bike or helping with chores around the house. Children can also obtain their daily amount of exercise by participating in team sports such as soccer, hockey and football. Hold off on the exercise and activities for at least one hour after meals to prevent acid reflux symptoms and flareups.

Professional Treatment

• If your child's acid reflux does not respond to home treatments and remedies, your pediatrician may recommend the use of antacids. Your child may find relief with antacids such as Maalox or Mylanta, but be sure to monitor dosage amounts to prevent overdosing symptoms of diarrhea, constipation and possibly rickets, a destructive condition where thinning of the bones occurs.

  Your child may also find relief from acid blockers such as Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet or Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium and Axid which prevent acid reflux by reducing the production of acid in the stomach. Your pediatrician may also prescribe acid reflux medications such as Reglan, which speeds up the digestion process, and Erythromycin, which induces strong stomach contractions. Surgery is usually not required or used to treat acid reflux in children but available for severe cases that do not respond to medication.