Find Out What Causes Your Child’s Acid Reflux

Find Out What Causes Your Child’s Acid Reflux

The first few weeks in an infant’s first year of life is crucial, since this is the period where acid reflux problem arises. As you know, all of the organ systems are not yet mature at this stage, including the stomach. The weak muscle structure at the cardiac region of the stomach is weakened, thus whatever your child eats regurgitates back into the esophagus. This problem is only temporary. That’s quite good news, and it should not bother you in the long run.

What are the Possible Symptoms?

Though acid reflux in children is not permanent, it is still important for you as a parent, to know the various symptoms of this problem. This way, you will be prepared enough in caring for your child whom you notice to display these symptoms. The following are the most common symptoms for acid reflux in children:

• Persistent vomiting which may or may not show the presence of blood
• Regurgitation of food that the child eats up. This usually happens when you notice that the food comes out of your child’s mouth without control.

Apart from these, you may also observe your child having slight coughing. The child may also be very irritable and may cry a lot. Another accurate symptom of acid reflux is when your child stays underweight or never gains weight at all. Since she is not able to take in all the food she eats, her nutritional requirements are not met, thus the occurrence of slight malnutrition.

Managing the Problem

Once you notice the symptoms previously mentioned in your child, you should start seeing your doctor or pediatrician. This is urgent especially when your child has vomited blood. The doctor will make physical assessments on your child, then he may order some laboratory work-up such as urine and blood tests to make sure that it is indeed acid reflux which causes the condition. If not, then it may be another problem such as gastroenteritis or pyloric stenosis.

One simple way to treat acid reflux in children is to modify their sleeping positions. Make sure that her head is elevated with soft pillows, and if she is a little old enough, you may put her in a baby chair. This is also important after your baby eats. Allow at least thirty minutes before allowing your baby to lie down right after eating. It is also important to wait at least six weeks to note whether the treatment for acid reflux has worked. If not, you may take your baby back to the doctor for prescription of medicines which can help alleviate the condition.

Here’s the good news. Upon reaching the twelfth month, you may notice that your child has fully overcome acid reflux without having to take any treatment.

More Tips

You need to be sure that you know the symptoms of acid reflux in kids. This allows you to understand why your child cries often and why she stops eating, so you will not worry that much.