What is Acid Reflux in Babies and How to Treat It

Almost all new parents will have to deal with acid reflux in their baby at one time or another. It can be one of the primary causes of Colic, a condition in which babies cry or scream for extended periods of time. The primary cause of this painful condition is the regurgitation of stomach acids back into the esophagus. It is a discomforting feeling to say the least if you ask any adult who suffers from it. There are treatments for babies but finding the one that works for yours can take a little time and patience.

This disease is also know as gastro esophageal reflux disease or GERD for short, and is normally caused by outside influences such as diet. It can be something of a challenge treating an infant for this condition simply because a baby has no way of telling their parents what is wrong; aside from crying a lot of course.

The first stop for any parent whose baby is suspected of having acid reflux is the pediatrician. There are many illnesses that can cause a baby to cry and trying to diagnose a problem and then treating it can cause more harm than good. Not only will a pediatrician be able to properly diagnose acid reflux but they will also be able to help with the best way to treat the problem.

The first place most doctors will suggest to look at is diet, because what babies eat and how much they eat can play a big part of any GERD related problem. Dairy products, because of their high fat content need to be avoided. Your doctor may suggest a change of formula as well, because just like adults some infants tolerate certain foods better then others. Another dietary supplement that can be of relief for infants is liquid calcium. It has a cooling and soothing affect that is conducive to healing the problem.

If dietary changes do not help the symptoms your doctor may prescribe a medication such as Zantac or Reglin. These drugs can be used by infants as young as six weeks of age, but should only be done under the supervision of a doctor.

Acid reflux in babies can be a dangerous condition because they are more prone to spitting up, which increases the chance of sleep Apnea when they are lying down. Apnea can be a serious condition because it is a stoppage of breathing for short moments of time. Because a baby's throat is very small any food contents regurgitating into the esophagus is a potential choking hazard.

Acid reflux in babies can be a potentially dangerous condition. If you suspect your baby may be suffering from its affects it is important to see your baby's pediatrician as soon as possible. Managing GERD in its early stages is by far the best way to deal with this painful disease.

To learn more about the symptoms of acid reflux in babies please visit the website Acid Reflux Disease by clicking here.