It's very frustrating to be a parent or a caregiver whose baby is upset and crying if you don't know what is wrong. Your infant doesn't have a way to communicate yet, so crying is the main sign of hunger or discomfort. Learning about all the various issues that the average baby or toddler may suffer from can help. The more you know, the more you can do to help your child to feel better. One subject that many parents and caregivers do not know much about is how to recognize the symptoms of acid reflux in babies.
Yes, even tiny infants can suffer from acid reflux. In fact, it’s quite common, as the digestive symptom in infants is not yet fully developed. They also have no capacity yet to tell when they are full, nor to communicate this to their parents. What this means is that babies cannot always keep the foods and liquids they’ve been fed inside their stomachs. In addition, most infants spend a majority of their time lying down which, as any adult sufferer of acid reflux will tell you, only exacerbates the symptoms of acid reflux. In babies this is no different, so if your child seems to be suffering from acid reflux-related discomfort, try putting him or her in a seat or carrier that allows an upright position for a larger portion of the day.
It is very important to recognize the symptoms of acid reflux in babies, as failing to deal with it can lead to failure to thrive, due to the baby not getting enough nutrition. Allowing the esophagus to be continually exposed to the stomach acids can also lead to tissue damage or even scarring and potentially to breathing problems later in life.
But it can be hard to tell the difference between normal infant vomiting & grumpiness and the more serious symptoms of acid reflux in babies. It’s perfectly normal for babies to cough up their food, due to the same immaturity of the digestive system that causes the symptoms of acid reflux in babies in the first place. And since they cannot yet communicate, they are unable to convey just why they may be feeling uncomfortable or even in pain. If your infant’s vomiting seems to be happening after every meal, or if he or she is also having breathing troubles, you should consider that these might be symptoms of acid reflux, and see your pediatrician.
Treatment of the symptoms of acid reflux in babies may range from simply feeding your baby different foods and adjusting his or her sleeping conditions to prescription medications. Whatever treatment your doctor prescribes, be sure to follow instructions carefully, as symptoms of acid reflux in babies can quickly lead to more serious conditions.
Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Acid Reflux Blog. Click here for more helpful information about Acid Reflux: http://theacidrefluxblog.com/acid-reflux-and-chest-pain
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