K@ye,
Not sure if u have came across this?
How does reflux affect babies?
Reflux is the word used to describe what happens when the stomach contents come back up into the gullet or even into the mouth.
The medical name for gullet is oesophagus (spelt esophagus in the US). So the long name for reflux is gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, shortened to GORD in the UK and GER in the States.
The diaphragm is the muscle which separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. As the oesophagus passes through the diaphragm, the diaphragm acts like a valve - stopping stomach contents from going backwards up the oesophagus. Doctors refer to this valve mechanism as a sphincter.
But sometimes the valve action isn't as strong as it could be - when you are pregnant, for example. In fact, one of the reasons you get heartburn in pregnancy is due to your baby pushing up onto the sphincter - it forces acid back up the oesophagus.
This also happens to babies, but in their case it is because the sphincter action of the diaphragm isn't fully developed. During the first year of a baby's life, the sphincter action gradually gets stronger and their chance of having reflux decreases. Around 50 per cent of babies will get some reflux but in only a small percentage of these is it a real problem. At the age of 10 months the number is down to about one in twenty babies.
What are the symptoms of reflux?
Your baby may regurgitate a little milk after a feed or have hiccups. He may occasionally cough a little after regurgitating the milk if a little has gone "down the wrong way". This is normal and as long as your baby is otherwise well, you don't need to worry. Just make sure you always have a tissue or muslin cloth to hand. Both formula-fed and breastfed babies may be affected.
Should I take my baby to see a doctor?
You should speak to your health visitor or doctor:
If your baby's reflux is happening more than five times a day on a regular basis
If your baby cries excessively after feeds
If there is regular vomiting
If the coughing becomes a regular occurrence.
Simple measures like holding your baby in an upright position for 20 minutes after each feed should always be tried first. It is worth trying smaller but more frequent feeds - although babies don't always agree to this!
Are there any other treatments for reflux?
In more severe cases it can be worth trying antacids or feed thickeners. There are products which fulfil both functions and these are available on prescription. Only use them on the advice of your health visitor or doctor and stop them every once in a while to check whether things have got better.
If you look at websites from other countries you may see drugs such as cimetidine or ranitidine recommended. These are drugs which have been used for many years in the UK to heal stomach ulcers in adults. However, they are not licensed for use in babies in the UK, even though they are used in other countries. Your GP is likely to be reluctant to prescribe them without advice from a specialist.
Your GP may refer your baby to a paediatric specialist in the following cases:
1. If there is doubt about the diagnosis
2. If the condition does not get better with simple treatments
3. If there is blood in the vomit
4. If your baby becomes anaemic
5. If there is persistent coughing or frequent chest infections thought to be due to the regurgitation
6. If your baby fails to gain weight or begins to refuse food
7. If there is difficulty swallowing.
Thankfully these symptoms are rare, but do see your doctor if you are worried about any of them.
Try not to worry
Most babies will suffer the more minor symptoms described earlier, and without complications. Reassure yourself that things will get better as your baby grows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answered by Dr Morag Martindale, GP and family planning doctor
Morag is a doctor and mother of three young children. She works part time as a general practitioner and family planning doctor. She is a contributing author to the NCT Book of Baby Care and author of the NCT A-Z of Child Health. She has a particular interest in women's health, breastfeeding promotion and early parenting.
area
