How To Treat Reflux In Newborns?

Reflux is a common problem in infants, it can go away in the first year of life and is almost never a symptom of a disease. However, when the baby regurgitates some milk after eating, it is not the same as when he vomits frequently, because in this case it could be gastroesophageal reflux, a condition that can affect his development.

Gastroesophageal reflux causes the common regurgitation of the newborn, but also causes more profuse and violent vomiting. It is important to understand when your baby is vomiting and how often he does, as this  could affect his feeding, affect his respiratory system and irritate his small throat.

It is essential to observe the moment in which he has the symptoms of reflux. For example,  if it happens without warning or far from the time of the meal, it can be a more serious problem. In these cases it is recommended to consult a specialist, even when the child is over twelve months old but continues to present this problem frequently.

What are the causes of reflux?

In the newborn, reflux is caused by a lack of adaptation to food and quantity. It usually happens because his stomach is very small and there is too much milk, and he is still getting used to feeding this way. As it grows,  reflux occurs due to problems in the gastroesophageal sphincter. It is not always a pathological malfunction, but it can be corrected over time.

In the beginning,  the valve in charge of connecting the esophagus to the stomach is still very weak, so it does not function properly in containing or passing food. This functioning problem is overcome in the first year, even if at a certain moment in life it can go back to failure and even adults can suffer from it.

The main cause of reflux in infants is the failure of the digestive system to develop,  which is completely normal and should not be alarming. Nevertheless, it is important to be alert and understand when it comes to violent vomiting instead of the typical milk regurgitation.

Symptoms of reflux

In general, the symptoms of reflux in newborns are related to the expulsion of small amounts of milk, due to a weakness in their gastroesophageal system. However, when the problem becomes something more complex, it can present the following symptoms:

• The child may suffer from respiratory problems such as coughing, because the reflux of food obstructs the airways
• Sore throat
• Nausea after eating
• Frequent vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Sleep disruption
• Spasms
• Weight loss
• Gas production
• Ear infections
• Acidity

Reflux treatment

To treat reflux, the most important thing is to make sure your baby eats exactly what he needs. It is also recommended to let the air out well after the meal. When acid-related problems happen very frequently, gastric juices can damage the internal walls. Therefore  the most recommended drugs are mainly antacids.

It is always advisable to consult your pediatrician before administering any medication to the newborn. In addition to antacids, he will be able to tell you about  gastric proton pump inhibitors or an antihistamine. Other options for improving reflux symptoms are related to some non-drug tactics, such as the following.

• Try  feeding him in an upright position so that his head is higher than his stomach
• Feed him  small amounts and more frequently
• Let him eat at his own pace, but if you feel he is rushing too much, give him a moment of rest. In case he eats slowly, be patient and give him the opportunity to burp during the meal

• Don’t leave your baby for too long without eating
• Get used to having him burp regularly,  even if he hasn’t eaten yet
• If the baby is crying at mealtime, it is not recommended to feed him at that time
• In the case of infant formula or breast milk in bottles, we can try  adding some cereal flours, so that the food has a little more consistency  and is not so liquid
• At bedtime, let’s put a pillow under his head so  that he sleeps a little inclined.