Newborn Reflux
Information About Newborn Reflux
Newborn reflux is not all that uncommon; there are various symptoms and causes of reflux in babies, but the basics are the same. When a baby has reflux what is happening is that the muscle that closes off the stomach is opening at incorrect times, this causes milk and stomach acid to backup into the esophagus. The acid that comes up will burn and irritate the throat and esophagus; it may also cause pain.
A condition known as basic newborn reflux is essentially the same problem that nearly everyone will have at times. This is simply a matter of the milk backing up into the throat occasionally. This is what is happening when a baby spits up; it’s not uncommon and is usually nothing to worry about. The only time that you need to worry about this condition is if there are other symptoms that are evident. These symptoms may include weight loss, extreme irritability, as well as respiratory problems. When the child has a normal case of basic reflux they will not display any other problems, and will have normal behavior.
Newborn reflux that is categorized as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a lot different than basic reflux. A baby that has this health problem will not eat well, and will also display problems with growing; in addition, they might show signs of cold like symptoms, as well as wheezing. This is a far more serious condition and a child with these symptoms should be under the care of a pediatrician.
Another serious newborn reflux problem is known as Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. With this condition a child may have a sore throat and seem hoarse. A baby with this condition is likely to also have a chronic cough that just doesn’t seem to go away.
Although there is no way to completely stop newborn reflux there are some preventative measures that you can take to reduce the occurrence of this condition in your baby. Probably the most important thing you could do to prevent this problem is to breastfeed your baby. Studies have shown that babies that are breastfed tend to have fewer problems with newborn reflux.
Some additional steps you can take to reduce the occurrence of newborn reflux include giving your baby smaller feedings, more frequently. When bottle-feeding, make sure you are holding your baby, as well as the bottle in the correct position. Your baby should be held firmly, in a semi upward position. The bottle must always be tilted in a way that the baby is getting milk from the nipple, and not air.
Try and keep your baby calm after feedings. A lot of activity tends to make newborn reflux worse. In addition, never place a baby on their stomach after they have eaten. The pressure of being in this position could force milk and stomach acid back through the throat and esophagus.
In the past a common method of treating newborn reflux was to change the baby’s formula until a brand was found that the baby could better tolerate; this is no longer recommended. Today, doctors are recommending that you stick with one formula and take other preventative measures. Changing formula will cause more stomach irritation, and more problems with reflux.
Some of the danger signs to watch for with newborn reflux include an inflamed esophagus, weigh loss, coughing and wheezing, as well as frequent repertory infections. When a baby has problems with their esophagus they may start spitting up blood. You will also want to watch for frequent colic. If your baby has any of these symptoms you will want to contact your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.