Reflux in babies: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Reflux in babies is the return of food and/or milk to the mouth after being swallowed, which can cause irritability, excessive crying, restless sleep and, in the most serious cases, difficulty feeding, pneumonia and apnea.

Typically, reflux occurs due to the immaturity of the baby’s gastrointestinal tract and is more common in cases of prematurity, obesity or diseases such as cerebral palsy or allergy to cow’s milk protein.

Although reflux in babies is not always considered a problem, when symptoms other than gulping and/or vomiting appear, it is recommended to consult your pediatrician. Treatment may involve reducing the volume of the baby’s meals, using special milks and, in some cases, using antacid medications or performing surgery.

Reflux symptoms in the baby

The main symptoms of reflux in babies are:

• Swallows;
• Vomiting;
• Irritability;
• Excessive crying;
• I’m nervous;
• Difficulty feeding;
• Choking;
• Frequent cough;
• Hoarseness;
• Difficulty gaining weight.

Reflux is common in babies under 1 year of age and normally does not cause symptoms other than gulping and, sometimes, vomiting, being more common after feedings and/or meals.

If other symptoms appear or gulping and/or vomiting persist after 1 year of age, it is important to consult a pediatrician or pediatric gastroenterologist to confirm the diagnosis and begin the most appropriate treatment. Know when golfing can be a problem.

Possible complications

In the most serious cases, reflux in the baby can cause aspiration pneumonia, when the contents of the stomach go into the lungs; esophagitis, due to frequent contact of stomach acid with the esophageal mucosa; and apnea.

Furthermore, in cases where there is difficulty feeding, the baby may also develop anemia, malnutrition and developmental delay, for example.

Main causes

Reflux in babies is a relatively common situation and occurs mainly due to the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract, so that after the baby breastfeeds, the milk can return to the mouth, resulting in gulping.

Furthermore, reflux is more common in cases of prematurity, obesity, diseases such as cerebral palsy, asthma and allergies, genetic syndromes such as Down syndrome and a family history of gastroesophageal reflux, for example.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of reflux in a baby is normally made by a pediatrician taking into account the symptoms present, the baby’s health history and possible complications identified.

Sometimes the doctor may also recommend tests such as abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography, to rule out other diseases, such as intestinal obstruction or hydrocephalus, which can cause similar symptoms. Learn about other causes of vomiting in babies.

How the treatment is carried out

Reflux in babies tends to disappear between 6 months and 1 year of age, without the need for specific treatment. However, depending on the intensity of the symptoms and the cause, the doctor may recommend the use of special milks, such as anti-regurgitation (AR) or hydrolyzed formulas, and, more rarely, antacid medications. See how to choose milk for your baby.

Furthermore, in more severe cases, especially when symptoms do not improve with medication, reflux surgery may be indicated.

Medicine for reflux in babies

The medications generally indicated for reflux in babies are antacids, such as ranitidine or omeprazole, and prokinetics, such as domperidone. However, these medications are rarely necessary and should only be used under the advice of a pediatrician or pediatric gastroenterologist.

Home treatment for reflux in babies

Home treatment for reflux in babies can be done with care such as:

• Avoid giving a bottle or breastfeeding without the baby being hungry;
• Do not rock the baby after meals;
• Avoid dressing your baby in clothes that squeeze your belly;
• Give the bottle more slowly;
• Do not smoke near the baby.

In addition, it is recommended to burp the baby after feedings, in an upright position on the adult’s lap for about 30 minutes and, at bedtime, lay the baby face up. Understand better how to care for a baby with reflux.