National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, or NDDIC, defines acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux, or GER, as the stomach contents backing up into the esophagus during or after a meal. For babies, acid reflux can also happen when they cough, dry or strain during a bowel movement. Not all babies have symptoms of acid reflux.
Time Frame
According to the NDDIC, acid reflux is common in otherwise healthy infant. In the first three months of life more than half of babies will experience acid reflux. Within 12 to 24 months, most of babies will have resolved their acid reflux on their own.
Features
The signs of acid reflux in an infant are frequent regurgitation or vomiting after meals, wet burps or wet hiccups, irritability or inconsolable crying after eating, according to Kids Health the website. Kids Health also reports more serious symptoms as choking or wheezing if the stomach contents are in the windpipe or lungs, refusing to eat -- either not eating at all or only eating a little bit, and failure to gain weight.
Complications of Acid Reflux
Kids Health, the website, reports potential complications from acid reflux. Since the acid stomach contents are coming in contact with the esophagus or are entering the respiratory tract, breathing problems may occur, redness and irritation in the esophagus -- called esophagitis -- may begin, bleeding and scar tissue may also develop in the esophagus. These complications may require more extensive treatment.
Preventing Acid Reflux Symptoms
Preventing acid reflux in infants may not be possible entirely, but helping there are a few small changes that can be made during feeding time that may reduce symptoms. The Mayo Clinic suggests smaller, more frequent feedings, changing positions -- to a more upright position -- during feeding, or interrupting feedings to burp more frequently.
Treatment for Infant Acid Reflux
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that most infants do not need medical treatment or intervention. Health care providers suggest changing formulas if the baby is formula fed, or having a breast feeding mother alter her diet for one to two weeks. Medications can be given to decrease the amount of stomach acid, thereby reducing the amount of acid available for reflux.
