Commonly associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or acid reflux, heartburn occurs when stomach acids regurgitate from the esophagus into the mouth and cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat. Infants and children can experience heartburn, and many find eating and sleeping quite uncomfortable. Treatment options depend on the age of the child and severity of the symptoms. Fortunately, several home remedies can provide symptom relief and management.
Eating Modifications
Children who eat smaller meals on a more frequent basis and who avoid eating two to three hours before going to bed often find heartburn relief, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. In addition, child GER sufferers should avoid carbonated drinks and foods that are fatty, fried, caffeinated or spicy. Children should also stay away from acidic foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes and pizza.
Babies who are breast or bottle-fed should be burped frequently, and caretakers should avoid giving them large amounts of liquid at one time. For infants between the ages of 4 and 6 months of age, Keep Kids Healthy, a pediatrician's guide to children's health, recommends adding 1 or 2 tsp. of rice cereal to breast milk or formula to provide a thicker consistency that is less likely to be regurgitated.
Positioning Modifications
Raising the head of a child's bed or crib by 6 to 8 inches can help utilize the forces of gravity to keep food from coming back up. Parents should avoid keeping an infant in a seated or upright position immediately after feeding, according to Keep Kids Healthy, as this can place pressure on the abdomen and cause heartburn. Children with GER should also wait to resume vigorous activities after a meal.
Antacids
Available over-the-counter in both tablet and liquid forms, antacids are a common first line of defense to relieve symptoms of heartburn along with sour stomach, gas and acid indigestion. Antacids work by combining three types of salt with hydroxide or bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acids. Parents should get a doctor's approval before giving any child under the age of 6 any antacid medication, according to Drugs.com.
Prescription Medication
When home remedies and antacids fail to curb heartburn or if GER symptoms are interfering with a child's growth, sleeping or eating, a doctor may consider prescription medication. Doctors usually try H2-blockers as a first step to keep acid from backing up into the esophagus, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Useful medications include cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine and nizatidine, known commercially as Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid, and Axid, respectively.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Gastroesophageal Reflux in Children and Adolescents
- Keep Kids Healthy: Reflux Treatment Guide
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Drugs.com: Antacids
