Acid reflux is an uncomfortable problem for toddlers. It occurs when the contents of your toddler’s stomach back up into her esophagus. As a result, your toddler might develop symptoms like irritability after eating, coughing, wheezing and even refusal to eat, reports MayoClinic.com. If your toddler experiences these symptoms, you can make changes to her routine to provide comfort and reduce acid reflux.
Meal Times
Eating smaller meals can help remedy your toddler’s acid reflux. When she eats smaller meals, there’s less in the stomach to back up. Also, after your toddler eats a meal, encourage her to sit up, rather than lying down. She should sit up for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Gravity helps the food in your toddler’s stomach stay put rather than backing up.
Elevate the Bed
Talk with your toddler’s pediatrician about elevating the head of your toddler’s bed. This helps gravity work in her favor. You can place a pillow under the head of your toddler’s mattress. Make sure it’s under the mattress rather than under your toddler’s head. This is more effective. If your toddler is still in a crib, however, her doctor might not recommend this.
Diet Changes
There are foods that trigger your toddler’s acid reflux. Common triggers include fatty or fried food. Acidic foods, like tomatoes or tomato sauce, are also triggers. Chocolate and mint can also make your toddler’s acid reflux worse. Make a list of foods she eats throughout the day, and track when your toddler has symptoms. This will help identify more foods that trigger symptoms in your toddler.
Herbal Remedies
Many drugstores carry herbal remedies for toddlers with acid reflux. However, these remedies aren’t reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. For this reason, it’s important to consult your doctor before administering an herbal remedy. These medications also have the potential to interact with other medications your toddler might be taking.
Medical Help
There are times when your toddler’s acid reflux is a reason for concern. If your toddler isn’t gaining weight, spits up green or yellow fluids, spits up blood or has blood in her stool, consult your doctor. A toddler who refuses to eat or has other symptoms like fever, difficultly breathing or diarrhea should also get medical attention.
