Acid reflux disorder is known to be affecting a very large fraction of the adult population, but unknown to many, even children and infants suffer from it. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, more than half of all the babies ever born experience this condition during several of the starting months and this.
Infant acid reflux is a common thing to infants due to the immaturity of their young and digestive tract. The muscles that make up the area from the esophagus to the stomach, especially the barrier known as lower esophageal sphincter or LES is still underdeveloped. This is the main cause of the stomach acid and food regurgitation. But even with the large number of the infant population affected, most cases will be outgrown by the 12th to 18th month. There are also those who would be affected even throughout their childhood years.
Infant acid reflux would most likely be triggered after the infant has been fed, but regurgitation may occur every time the baby strains, cries or even coughs. The most classic symptom would be spitting up, refusal or irritability during feeding and unprogressive weight gain.
The condition generally does not cause any complications in the normal progression of the baby. However, when the infant acid reflux case is serious, already involving problems with the child’s development, then the parent should report the condition to a specialist. Severe cases may lead to symptoms such as abnormality in weight gain, breathing problems, spitting fluids and food that already amounts to more than two teaspoons at a time, has a hoarse voice, when the baby appears to be exhausted, the amount of waste excreted is lesser than normal ( fewer wet diapers ), and the regurgitated liquid is or brown or green color.
Because infant acid reflux is a disorder that affects digestion, one thing to look into when trying to avoid the symptoms being triggered would be the feeding habit. Having the baby to take milk or other food right for his age may be done by helping him maintain a slanted, if not upright position. This would enable gravity to aid in the natural mechanism of the baby’s digestion. Feeding can also be integrated with break times when the parent or career of the baby would help him to burp. Another technique to implement would be trying to get the baby to feed at smaller amounts but more frequent intervals.
By Melvin Finn