What Is The Best Treatment For Acid Reflux In Infants?

Before diving into the best treatment for acid reflux in infants, let's explore what acid reflux and acid reflux disease are.

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Acid reflux disease is also known as GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) and more commonly referred to as heartburn.  In a normal human body, there is a sphincter called the lower esophageal sphincter which allows food to pass through to the stomach and stops the stomachs digestive acids from coming back up through the esophagus. For various reasons that sphincter can become impaired, allowing the stomach acid back up through the esophagus and causing severe pain.

Left untreated, this pain can lead to more serious issues such as cancer although this is very rare in infants. Infants, more often than adults are supine (lying on their back). In this position, the infant does not have gravity on its side to keep the acid down. On top of this, infants consume mostly liquids so there is little or no solid to help keep the acid where it should be.

It is important to note that simple acid reflux or heart burn is different than acid reflux disease or gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The latter are named for similar but chronic conditions which can cause long term damage. Typically infants have acute acid reflux (heartburn) and all though it pains us to see them this way it is very common and usually goes away quite quickly.

Typically acid reflux in infants is not a chronic condition and should be treated on an as needed basis. If you suspect your child's acid reflux is due to a more serious condition, please contact your physician or pediatrician.

There is no one best treatment for acid reflux in infants but let's explore some options.

* First, it is important to keep the child in an upright position for at least a half of an hour after feeding.

* Also, if you are able to have them sleep in an upright position (perhaps in a car seat) that can help as well.

* Make sure to 'burp' your baby as you always do to alleviate any gas build up.

* If appropriate for the child, thicken the milk in the bottle with cereal to give something solid in the stomach to help absorb the liquid (stomach acids).

* Lastly, under the guidance of a physician only, there are over the counter medications and prescription medications that may be right for your child.

These suggestions should provide some relief for acid reflux in infants. Of course it can be a frustrating time for parents as the child is not able to properly convey what the problem is. Should these suggestions not provide any relief to the infant, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.