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For parents, the symptoms of Baby Reflux can be terrifying: frequent colic, poor sleep habits, excessive fussiness, and lack of appetite. The child will often seem in great pain or discomfort, with symptoms similar to extreme heartburn or painful stomach indigestion.
GER is a common but potentially serious disorder that affects millions of children during their first year. While it's usually quickly outgrown, its appearance and the ordeal that follows can be grueling for children and parents alike.
GER: Gastroesophageal Reflux
Doctors believe that the condition known as Gastroesophageal Reflux ( GER ) is the most common cause of all simple forms of colic. GER occurs when an intestinal muscle called the Lower Esophagus Sphincter ( LES ) remains undeveloped. The LES connects the esophagus with the stomach and can cause the stomach to spit up foods as well as certain amino acids normally used for digestion. This return of fluids, called reflux, may appear similar to vomiting, expelling mucus, or simply painful indigestion.
A poorly developed LES muscles is actually very common in children, with some reports showing as many as 60 percent of all babies having LES muscle deficiency sometime during the first six months. Most symptoms tend to disappear by the baby's first birthday, though in some cases continue for much longer.
Acid Reflux Disease and GERD
Babies suffering from GER may exhibit one or more signs of Baby Acid Reflux Disease. These include sour breath, chest pressure similar to heartburn, loss of appetite, excessive fussiness, and bursts of prolonged colic. Babies with acid reflux may also constantly want to be held or insist on being placed in an upright or inclined position. Acid Reflux Disease is a painful disorder that gradually erodes the lining of the esophagus, making eating difficult for its sufferers and leaving them in a constant state of heartburn-like discomfort.
A more aggressive form of GER is known as GERD, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. This progressive erosion of the esophagus may require surgery to correct.
Some Foods Can Stimulate GER
Parents should remember that a baby's nascent digestive tract is as susceptible to injury as the rest of its body, and should tailor the baby's diet as necessary.
While Vitamin C is an important part of the child's diet, excessive dosages have been found to cause GERD in adults. Other cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, onions, cabbage, spinach, and Brussels sprouts, have also been found to agitate GER symptoms.
Another common cause of GER is eating too soon before bedtime. Milk and milk-based formulae contain fats that can be difficult to absorb and digest. Making sure the child has proper digestion time between dinner and bedtime should help reduce GER symptoms.
Finding Help
If your child shows GER symptoms, of if you suspect your child's colic indicates a deeper gastroesophageal issue, immediately consult your pediatrician. The doctor may be able to recommend any number of treatments, including a variety of medications.
In recent years a number of holistic and organic treatments and therapies have gained popularity among families coping with GER. These include thoroughly burping the child and breastfeeding with the baby's head at a 30-degree angle to the mother's chest, with a completely straight spine. More frequent holdings, swinging the child, and keeping the baby in loose, comfortable clothing and diapers are other suggested curatives.
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