Reflux (also known as Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux, GORD, GOR and GERD), is when a baby brings up milk, or is sick, during or shortly after feeding. It's very common and usually gets better on its own.
I know how stressful and exhausting it can be living with a child with reflux. As an infant, my son Theo suffered from reflux daily and I can vividly remember how frustrating it was to see my baby experience the daily symptoms of the condition and to live with the endless worry, cleaning up and washing it creates. Here's more about the condition, tips you can try to ease reflux and further sources of advice and support.
Check if your baby has reflux
Reflux usually starts before a baby is 8 weeks old and gets better by the time they're 1.
Symptoms of reflux in babies include:
bringing up milk or being sick during or shortly after feeding
coughing or hiccupping when feeding
being unsettled during feeding
swallowing or gulping after burping or feeding
crying and not settling
not gaining weight as they're not keeping enough food down
Sometimes babies may have signs of reflux but will not bring up milk or be sick. This is known as silent reflux.
Why reflux happens
Reflux usually happens because your baby's food pipe (oesophagus) has not fully developed, so food or milk can come back up easily. Your baby's oesophagus will develop as they get older and the reflux should stop.
Things you can try to ease the problems of reflux in babies
Hold your baby upright during feeding and for as long as possible after feeding
Burp your baby regularly during feeds
Give formula-fed babies smaller feeds more often or continue to breastfeed, if possible, because breastmilk is easier to digest
Have lots of waterproof bibs to minimise clothing changes and washing
Make sure your baby sleeps flat on their back (they should not sleep on their side or front)
Get further advice from a health visitor or GP
Especially if:
reflux is not improving after trying things to ease it
baby gets reflux for the first time after they're 6 months old
baby is older than 1 and still has reflux
baby is not gaining weight or is losing weight
Treatment for reflux in babies
About half of all newborn babies get reflux and it isn’t usually cause for concern. Almost nine out of every ten babies affected are better by the time they're 12 months old. That’s because over a baby’s first 12 months, their digestive system naturally develops and they spend more time upright as they start to sit up.
A GP or specialist may sometimes recommend or prescribe treatments for reflux.
If your baby is formula-fed, you may be given:
If the thickening powder does not help or your baby is breastfed, a GP or specialist might recommend medicines that stop your baby's stomach producing as much acid.
Very rarely, surgery might be needed to strengthen the muscles to stop food or milk travelling back up. This is usually only after trying other things or if their reflux is severe.
Further help
Further information is available from the charity Living with Reflux - the only national charity in the UK, providing information and a support network for parents and training for health care professionals around the country.
Disclaimer: Please stay safe! I am not a qualified medical professional or reflux specialist. Please always consult your GP, health visitor or paediatrician on the suitability and safety of this advice for your child. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of the information supplied and will not be liable for any loss of money, time or any injury resulting from omissions or inaccurate or out of date information supplied within in this blog post. Any links to external websites have been carefully selected, but are provided without any endorsement of the products or content of those sites.
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