Gastroesophageal reflux, or acid reflux, is a condition that can affect people of all ages. If your toddler experiences acid reflux, she may experience symptoms like difficulty swallowing, bad breath, a refusal to eat, hoarse voice and fussiness after eating. Because your toddler will not understand what she is experiencing, careful observance and treatment of her symptoms is needed. Feeding your child the right foods is one step that can help relieve acid reflux.
Rapid Transit Foods
Dr. Barry Sears recommends giving your child foods known as "rapid-transit" foods. Because acid reflux in your child can be caused by foods that are digested slowly, foods that are digested quickly can reduce symptoms. This means eating soft foods that are low in fat. Examples include mashed potatoes, bananas, eggs and cooked peas. Cooked carrots also have an anti-inflammatory effect on the stomach. These foods are kid-friendly, yet easy on the digestive system.
Milk
Calcium is naturally helpful in reducing acid reflux in your toddler because it can stimulate his esophagus to tighten, which prevents stomach acid from coming back up. Milk is a common food staple for kids as well, meaning your toddler is less likely to fight you when it's time to eat. However, dairy can sometimes cause acid reflux -- check with your physician first to determine if dairy is the cause. If your child is not allergic, serve milk instead of other fluids known to aggravate heartburn, such as prune, pear and apple juices. Citrus juices like orange and grapefruit juices also may contribute to your child's acid reflux as well.
Smoothies
Flavorful, fruity smoothies are a delight for toddlers and also help to relieve acid reflux. Use your blender and have your toddler select favorite foods like strawberries, bananas, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries to blend into a smoothie. The blended smoothie not only tastes good to your child, her stomach can digest it more quickly because it is already blended, reducing acid reflux symptoms. You also can blend vegetables into smoothies.
Foods to Avoid
Just as there are foods that may help with symptoms of acid reflux, there are others that should be avoided. Avoid giving your toddler high-fat or fried foods, which take longer for the stomach to digest. Foods like onions, citrus fruits, tomatoes and peppers may be too acidic for your child. Chocolate also can contribute to acid reflux. Encourage your child to eat slowly and with small bites -- this can reduce the incidence of reflux as well.
