Reflux is a condition experienced by infants when the milk swallowed comes up their esophagus and spits up. Reflux is also known posseting or gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) medically. When an infant is breastfed or is formula-fed, swallowed milk mixes with intestinal acids during digestion. When this mixture comes up the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation like that of heartburn. That backflow of swallowed milk into the esophagus is allowed by underdeveloped muscle rings found at the bottom of the esophagus. These muscles allow food into the stomach and close up to maintain it there. If the muscle rings open up abruptly, reflux occurs.

Signs of Reflux in Infants

There are countable signs of reflux in infants. If these signs persist, see a doctor. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also cause reflux, meaning a clear diagnosis is essential. Below are the main signs.

• Spitting up and vomiting

Spitting is something normal for infants. But, when this spitting and vomiting is forced, and painful enough to cause your baby to cry, all is not well. Additionally, when yellow/green fluid, blood samples, or coffee-like spit is seen, you need to seek a doctor's help. That is not the normal reflux for infants; something else might be the cause.

• Not gaining weight

When a child vomits or spits often, they will not gain weight easily. In the case of GERD infection and reflux signs like feeding difficulties, spitting and vomiting are experienced, affecting proper feeding. If an infant cannot feed well, weight loss is unavoidable.

• Feeding issues

Reflux in newborns is mostly associated with a discomfort experience. As noted above, a heartburn-like sensation is felt by babies sometimes when milk and intestinal acids come up the esophagus. As a way to avoid that discomfort, children develop feeding issues like crying, refusal to breastfeed, stiffening their legs and pushing the feeding bottle away. All this is done to avoid feeding which they associate with reflux effect.

• Sleeping issues

Babies' sleep is often disturbed due to reflux. Those who suffer from reflux do not sleep comfortably nor do they settle down easily after feeding. They take short naps only and mostly wake up distressed. Parents and guardians should feed them early enough before bedtime to give milk and sustenance time to digest.

• Irritability and appearing to be in pain

Irritability is one of the most common signs of reflux in infants. Others include crying, screaming, settling with difficulties, get upset easily, arching the back, and appearing distressed most of the time. All these signs are connected to the pain and discomfort experienced due to reflux. Mostly, babies get irritated during or after feeding, a condition that affects their sleeping schedule.

Top Reflux Treatment Methods

Reflux is common in most babies. It might prove difficult to prevent but a change in child feeding or methods of caring, as well as simple professional medical guidance can help treat it. For example:

• Elevate the baby while feeding

Putting a baby in an elevated position helps in milk flow all the way to the stomach. This also makes it hard for milk and intestinal acids to mix, thus making it harder to flow back into the esophagus. Place a pillow at the child's back or help the child lean on your chest. Such positions prevent the frequent backflow of food into the esophagus.

• Hold a baby upright for a while after feeding

When a child is held upright after feeding, there are minimal chances of reflux. Thirty minutes or so is ample time for digestion and food settling which minimizes reflux occurrence.

• Burp them more often

Burping will help your child by easing reflux effects and signs. As a parent or guardian, you might need to burp your child once after bottle-feeding them for one or two ounces. As for babies who are breastfed, burp them every time they pull away from the nipple.

• Thicken breast milk or formula

It is difficult for thick milk or food to come up the esophagus. That is why adding cereals like infant rice to thicken breast and formula milk is crucial.

• Feed them frequently but in small amounts

If you want to avoid reflux, avoid extra feeding your baby. An extra full stomach lends to reflux. The best option is feeding your baby in small quantities but more frequently.

• See a doctor

If these signs of acid reflux in babies are found, a doctor's attention is recommended. The doctor will prescribe medicines that will have few or no side effects. If severe symptoms occur, going to see the doctor is necessary. In extreme cases, a surgery to tighten the LES might be advised.

Reflux is never a comfortable condition for infants, so try to find the best solution for your baby's comfort and well-being. Following the above reference guidelines and adhering to doctor's advice will ease reflux.