Is Acid Reflux common in infants?

Although acid reflux can become a very serious condition in adults, it is not unusual in childhood too. Very small children especially, infants and newborns often spit up milk. This can happen spontaneously after a feed or when they strain or cry. Doctors think that this condition is the result of a weak LES valve in very small children. In most cases when the child is about 12 months of age, the condition goes away. In fact most children with acid reflux grow up healthy and are happy and normal even though they keep spitting up milk. One in two newborn will experience some episode of acid reflux till the age of three months. Only a very small percentage of children exhibit serious side effects of Acid Reflux. These include inadequate weight gain, irritability, and unrest and in some cases the child may experience some breathing problems. 

Like in adults, a simple way to prevent acid reflux in children is to hold them upright for 30 minutes after a feed. If a child is placed immediately on bed after a feed chances are that the milk might flow back into the food pipe. Feeding them frequently in an interval of 2-3 hours also helps reduce reflux. Overfeeding can aggravate reflux so it is important to take care. Some doctors also advise that a child should be burped frequently in between the feeds. 

Although some doctors suggest that the child be placed on his stomach while sleeping, a parent should exercise caution while doing so since there is the danger of suffocation. Some experts also recommend elevating the child's body while he sleeps, but again if the parents are using a pillow to elevate the child then they need to be vigilant since pillows can cause smothering. Loose clothing and diapers will make the baby more comfortable. If a mother is breastfeeding her child who has frequent episodes of Acid Reflux then the mother should avoid caffeine, chocolate or garlic in her diet. 

It is rare to find extreme symptoms or discomfort in infants due to Acid Reflux; most children outgrow this tendency as their digestive system matures. However some children may get colic or gas pain due to reflux. Simple antacids such as Zantac, Pepcid, Axid or Tagamet can cure that. But a word of caution: never self medicate your child, it is very important to consult your doctor before giving any medication to children.