One aspect of the subject of acid reflux that needs more attention is the occurrence of the condition in infants. Varying degrees of severity occur in babies with the symptoms ranging from abdominal pain to vomiting to sleep problems.
A better understanding of the process of digestion will aid in describing acid reflux in babies as well as adults. The lower esophageal sphincter is a circular banding of muscles that closes down on the area between the esophagus and the stomach. This ideally regulates the flow of digestive materials between the two organs. Specifically, the LES closes so as to keep the potentially harmful fluids in the stomach and prevents any back flow into the esophagus. Babies have not had the chance to develop this muscle and as a result, it does not always function properly. When fluids back up into the esophagus, the protective lining gets worn away and inflammation may occur. A painful condition called heartburn will manifest itself. The baby has no way to communicate this and will cry and not sleep.
In babies, acid reflux occurs very early in their development but will slowly fade away as their digestive system matures. Between two and four weeks old, a baby will demonstrate the above mentioned symptoms and doctors can prescribe oral medications to reduce the production of acids in the baby’s stomach. This should alleviate the problem. Babies also begin to spend more of their time in an upright position and gravity begins to work its magic as the fluids are kept down naturally. Any vomiting is kept to a minimum through foods being more fully digested and passed through the stomach into the intestines.
Through proper diet, feeding procedures, and body positioning, acid reflux can be nearly eliminated.
As with adults, smaller portions given at regular intervals will reduce the chances of over production of stomach acids. Fewer occurrences of regurgitation will result. Smaller amounts of food will also be digested faster which means that there will be less of an opportunity for digestive acids to develop.
A proper positioning of the baby both during and after feeding is recommended as this will give gravity a chance to work keeping the partially digested food down in the stomach where it can safely pass into the intestines. Babies naturally feed more readily when held up right and their digestion is aided when kept in that position for at least thirty minutes following feeding. Burping regularly will help in this case as well.
Research has shown that breast milk contains special enzymes that will help in the baby’s digestion. The baby has an easier time with the whole process as commercial formulas do not contain these enzymes. Digestion is speeded up and less regurgitation will occur. Any allergic reactions that a baby might have in response to commercial products will not occur with breast milk. However hypoallergenic formula is available when there are any concerns about allergies or acid reflux. Babies with any sensitivity in their intestines will respond favorably when given this type of hypoallergenic formula as it can be digested faster than regular commercial formula.
The positioning of the baby will help in keeping food down when acid reflux is suspected. The baby should be placed in a comfortable position when put to bed. If any moist burping or abdominal pain occurs, you should try to elevate the head of the bed by about 30 degrees and even put the baby on its left side as the esophageal entry will be higher than the exit. In this way, gravity is given an opportunity to work. Keep track of the baby’s sleeping times and positions so that you can determine if acid reflux is present and if any of your treatments are effective. Any method to keep food down will help in the baby’s development and growth.
ACID REFLUX * CAUSES * SYMPTOMS OF ACID REFLUX * ADULT ACID REFLUX * ACID REFLUX AND PREGNANCY * ASTHMA AND ACID REFLUX * ACID REFLUX AND SORE THROATS * ACID REFLUX IN CHILDREN * ACID REFLUX IN BABIES * ACID REFLUX TREATMENT * ACID REFLUX NATURAL CURES