September 2008

Heartburn Specials

September 4, 2008

Babies and Acid Reflux

by Frank Robson

Actually, the last folks to have lifestyle issues as a cause for Acid Reflux are babies.

More than half of all babies have to deal with acid reflux during there first three months of life. Symptoms of acid reflux include coughing, spitting, irritability, vomiting, blood in feces, and discomfort when feeding. While experiencing these symptoms, the baby tends to be very cranky and cries uncontrollably, probably at least partly owing to the fact that they are unable to explain their pain to the people caring for them.

We often call this as Colic. Rings a bell?

Medications do exist for colic, but doctors typically do not suggest giving small infants medicine. Other treatments are often recommended for babies younger than six weeks old.

A babys acid reflux can be controlled by using a specially designed pillow that props up the childs head. Most stores that sell merchandise for babies will stock such pillows.

One of the more typical causes of acid reflux in babies is consuming dairy products. Young children all develop slightly differently and some of their digestive systems simply arent capable of breaking down dense milk formulas. If you believe that your child is suffering from acid reflux, speak with the doctor that has cared for them since birth about possible food related causes.

The nerve that causes us to vomit, referred to as the Vagus nerve, is located very close to the esophageal sphincter. Chiropractic treatments have shown themselves to be beneficial for relieving a babys symptoms of acid reflux.

Creamy liquid calcium also decreases the severity of symptoms that a baby is experiencing. Its soothing texture will help the child to heal as they drink the calcium.

Sometimes, babies start spitting up food, and turns out, that it could be a way of indicating a developing acid reflux situation. One needs to be very observant and careful at this point, as prolonged spitting up, often leads to sleep apnea in babies, or what may be described as sudden breathing stoppage in babies. This aspect of acid reflux in babies can lead to fatal results, and it is then advisable to consult a pediatrician at the earliest sign of this disease in babies.

There are some things you can do to reduce your childs risk of contracting acid reflux. Holding them upright for thirty minutes after having eaten, inclining the head of their crib, and changing their feeding schedule can all be helpful. Although they should never be done without a doctors direction, attempting to feed the child solid food and adding cereal to formula in bottles are also effective treatments for acid reflux in babies.

At the end of the day, one tries to avoid medications like Zantac for such little children.

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Filed under Heartburn by Frank Robson

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