Acid Reflux in Infants Remedies

It's very often observed that infants throw up the consumed food immediately after feeding. Today, babies are taken to pediatrics more frequently due to rise in infant acid reflux symptoms at an alarming rate. Change in lifestyle and food habits directly affect the digestive system of babies. Acid reflux in babies is normally treated with gripe water. Other remedies include oral treatments or some natural methods to provide immediate relief to babies. Doctors also advice parents to prepare particular diet for babies and build a habit to feed them at intervals. First let us first find out the causes behind acid reflux in infants. Remedies are also given by doctors to avoid further problems associated with this disorder.

Acid Reflux in Infants: Causes

Acid reflux is very common in newborn babies. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the medical terminology for acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when the contents of stomach get fluxed inside throat and mouth resulting in 'spitting up' of the entire volume. As a result, the child vomits, sneezes and coughs. The epidemiology of acid reflux explains that when the food passes through esophagus (a long tube connecting the stomach), the esophageal sphincter helps in transferring the food completely to the stomach by intermittent closing and opening. In infants, this esophageal sphincter is not fully developed. The narrow opening at the end of the esophagus is thus not properly closed after the food reaches the intestine. As a result the contents of intestine travel back to the throat along with intestinal acids and digestive juices. Infant reflex causes immense discomfort in stomach and renders a bitter taste inside the mouth. This begins after 10 days of birth and can last for 3 months or more, until the esophagus becomes fully functional. Sometimes severe acid reflux is also observed in adults, due to acidity and indigestion.

Coping with infant acid reflux disease becomes challenging, if it persists even after reaching a certain age. Regular acid reflux results in very slow weight again and lack of energy. It also leads to decreased rate of urination and spitting of brown or green bile through mouth. The child loses hunger and desire to eat, as he intermittently vomits and belches. All these troubles finally hamper sleep and change in behavioral patterns. Treating acid reflux in infants should be given prime importance to avoid aggravation of symptoms. The probable acid reflux in infants remedies are mentioned in the following content.

Information for Acid Reflux Treatment

Since the digestive system of infants are too delicate to prescribe heavy doses of medicines, doctors mainly suggest to avoid foods that cause acid reflux. Treating infant acid reflux primarily involves handling baby carefully post feeding period. The most common acid reflux home remedies to be followed are:

• Breast feed your baby instead of feeding him with formulated milk, if he spurts frequently.
• While feeding, maintain an upright position instead of inclining him horizontally to avoid instant reflux.
• After feeding, keep him in upright position for at least for 30 minutes to let the food travel down into stomach completely.
• Try to burp him deliberately by softly patting his back. This ensures complete digestion of food.
• Make small meals for your baby to avoid throwing up. Feed light meals at regular intervals.
• This diet plan should be determined by the doctor. Also, take your doctor's advice before starting solid meals.

Sometimes, infants suffer from severe acid reflux and this natural home remedies fail to show the desired effects. At that point of time, babies have to depend on acid reflux medication prescribed by doctors. The most effective medicines to treat acid reflux in babies are:

• Antacids: Maalox, Mylanta
• Proton Pump Inhibitors: Prilosec, Prevacid, Axid, Nexium
• Acid Blockers: Zantac, Tagamet, Pepcid

N.B: These medicines should be strictly administered, as prescribed by doctors and not spontaneously

There are no such health concern associated with acid reflux in infants. Remedies at home along with proper diet and lifestyle eventually reduces such symptoms with growing age. However, it's always wise to take your baby for a medical check up, at least once in a month to ensure healthy growth and development.