Acid reflux in babies is very common. It is the backward flow of stomach content into the esophagus and often into mouth that is commonly known as “spitting up”. This happens because the small muscle that keeps the stomach contents out of the esophagus is very week in babies therefore it is very easy for it to go back up.
There are average of two thirds of healthy babies experience acid reflux and spitting up symptoms that are usually peeked between one and four months of age. The acid reflux in babies is normally obvious because the main symptom is spitting up after feedings. On the part of parents it is very hard to raise a baby with acid reflux. It is because you will have hard time on getting your baby to sleep. Once you lay down your baby to sleep the gravity on the stomach acid is lost. Then the acid is sent into the esophagus that is the acid reflux and this painful problem causes the baby to fuss and wake up.
There are so many ways to combat acid reflux in babies. But the most common remedy is to keep the feeding times as calm and as quite as possible, free from distractions and loud noises. You must lessen the feeding quantity and increase feeding times as smaller feedings are easier for digestion and can significantly improve acid reflux symptoms. You need to keep your baby in the upright position, before during and at least 30 minutes after feedings to aid in keeping acid reflux to a minimum. Babies that are less than 3 months old may be treated for acid reflux problems by simply changing formulas. If you are breastfeeding you need to avoid foods that are causing acid reflux responses such as carbonated beverages, highly processed foods, tomatoes and anything that contains citrus juices and fruit.
It is very difficult to determine of your baby is suffering from acid reflux and the more severe GERD because the signs are the same to colic. You absolutely need the doctor’s help on determining this condition. Acid reflux in babies must be immediately diagnosed in order for it to be treated as well as to prevent to become more severe.