Does your infant seem to be constantly irritable or spit up frequently? Are they in pain when lying down at night? Many babies have these problems, which are associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER). This is a relatively common problem which can be addressed with the use of a baby wedge.
What It Is
GER is considered to be an infant’s form of heartburn. It is similar to adult reflux when the stomach contents move up into the mouth or esophagus (throat), it can burn and be uncomfortable. Typically for children, it is caused by acid in the stomach or milk and can be worse when they lie down. About 25 percent of babies have some version of GER, which can range from mild to severe. Mild forms usually aren’t painful and cause the babies to spit up frequently. However, serious versions can cause wakefulness at night, colic symptoms and abdominal pain.
Colic, as it was once known, is now considered to be GER. However, back then, doctors and pediatricians didn’t know this. About 50 percent of infants have some form of acid problems.
The esophagus has a muscle band in the lower area that acts as a valve, which allows liquid and food into the stomach. This is supposed to be a one-way valve, but for some infants and adults, it doesn’t develop properly or entirely, causing stomach contents to back up into the mouth or esophagus. A silent version of GER is prevalent among many infants and can be hard to diagnose.
Symptoms
Typically, symptoms include spitting up, but other symptoms include sour breath, intense crying, trouble breathing, difficult feedings, having frequent hiccups and vomiting. It can also include not gaining weight, coughing, gagging, having trouble swallowing, irritability, and more.
Tips
Lifestyle changes are typically the most common form of reducing GER. Your pediatrician will probably offer these tips first. They include giving smaller feedings more frequently, adjusting the feeding procedure, and keeping the infant still and upright after feeding. Other options can include using a baby reflux wedge to let them safely rest more comfortably.
