Acid reflux is a common name given to gastroesophageal reflux, or GER. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse points out that more than half of all babies experience infant acid reflux during the first three months of life. Infant reflux shares many similarities with adult acid reflux, but babies are more susceptible due to the immaturity of the digestive system. Acid reflux is not usually a health concern in infants.
Symptoms
The most likely signs of acid reflux in an infant include spit up after a meal, irritability during a meal, fussiness after a meal or other poor eating habits, according to MayoClinic.com. Normal infant acid reflux doesn't impact a baby's growth or happiness. If it does, then it may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, a more severe type of acid reflux.
Causes
An infant is likely to have acid reflux because of an immature digestive system. Specifically, the lower esophageal sphincter is not strong enough to stay closed when the stomach is full of food. When this flap-like tissue opens when it shouldn't, the result is food and acid flowing back up the esophagus, the pipe that connects the throat with the stomach. Other causes of infant reflux include lying flat after a meal, tight clothing pressing on the stomach, eating too much or eating too fast.
Prevention
Caregivers can help a baby fight acid reflux by making a few simple changes to feeding and post-feeding habits. The infant shouldn't be jostled after a feeding to allow the food to settle in the stomach. Keeping the baby upright for 15 to 30 minutes after a feeding can also diminish the likelihood of the stomach contents flowing back upwards. Like adults, a baby can benefit from small, frequent meals instead of a few large meals. Burping periodically while feeding and after feeding can reduce excess air in the stomach. Caregivers should avoid overfeeding or force feeding a baby to reduce reflux. If an infant is gulping during a feeding she may be taking food too quickly, which will only irritate the stomach further. Consult with the baby's doctor, but adding infant cereal to milk or formula can thicken it to reduce the likelihood of it flowing back up the esophagus.
Treatment
Infants who have little success with preventive measures may be prescribed a medication to relieve the production of acid. Various drugs are safe for use in infants. The most likely drugs will be those that prevent the production of acid, such as cimetidine, omeprazole or lansoprazole, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Complications
Most infants outgrow acid reflux as they learn to sit upright and as the digestive system gets more efficient. Persistent acid reflux may be a sign of future gastroesophageal reflux disease, explains MayoClinic.com. An infant can struggle to gain weight due to symptoms of acid reflux, more likely attributed to GERD. The constant refluxing of harmful acid can also impact the lungs and lead to wheezing, pneumonia and other respiratory problems.
