What is Infant Acid Reflux?
By Scott Nichols

As many as half of all infants may experience acid reflux from time to time. Ironically, majority of these infants are otherwise healthy and does not require any special medical intervention. When the acids and other contents in an infant's stomach go back up into th esophagus, infant acid reflux occurs.

The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach. It usually contracts contracts in order to push food down the throat and into the stomach. The esophageal sphincter, which is a rim of muscle located at the bottom of the esophagus and at the top of the stomach, opens up to allow food from the esophagus into the baby’s stomach. Once the food is in the stomach, the esophageal sphincter then closes tightly in order to prevent the food from flowing back up into the esophagus.

A baby with infant acid reflux has an esophageal sphincter that is not properly working. The stomach acid and other contents flow back to the esophagus, causing the infant discomfort. Babies with infant acid reflux can exhibit symptoms such as spitting, vomiting, coughing or occasional fussiness and crying right after their meals. Babies affected with infant acid reflux may also be reluctant to eat once they become accustomed to experiencing the unpleasant and uncomfortable burning sensation in their chest and throat.

Although infant acid reflux is usually mild and short-lived, sometimes a baby may experience infant acid reflux symptoms that are severe and consistent. The frequent crying or fussiness during meal times develops into a refusal to eat once a baby associates food with the discomfort of infant acid reflux. These babies end up losing weight since they are not able to keep food in the stomach long enough to nourish them.

Respiratory problems may develop in babies with infant acid reflux when the lungs inadvertently suck in the food that's already in the esophagus. These babies wheeze and gasp for breath. In addition, infant acid reflux may cause enough damage to the baby’s esophagus and make it bleed. As a result, babies with infant acid relux may end up with anemia

Typically, infant acid reflux issues disappear on their own or following changes in how you position your baby while he or she drinks and eats. Your physician may recommend that you frequently give your baby small meal portions instead of fewer large meals. The doctor may also suggest thickening baby formula. He or she may also advise you to hold your baby upright during feedings. It also helps if you burp your baby while he or she is eating and also afterwards.

If your baby is experiencing serious infant acid reflux symptoms, see a doctor right away. The doctor will do tests to confirm if your baby does have infant acid reflux or some other illness. If infant acid reflux is the culprit and other measures have resulted in not much success, the doctor will prescribe drugs or recommend surgery in order to tighten the esophageal sphincter. In most cases, however, infant acid reflux is not a serous concern. Babies typically outgrow infant acid reflux on their own with no adverse effects.

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