Reflux in babies: main symptoms and treatment

The reflux in babies can occur due to the maturity of the upper gastrointestinal tract or when the baby has some difficulty in performing the digestion, suffers from intolerance or has a milk allergy or some other food from his food, which may result in the emergence of signs and symptoms such as frequent reflux, difficulty in lactating and gaining weight, for example.

The reflux in newborns should not be considered a worrying situation when the child is small and only occurs after the takeover. However, when the reflux occurs several times, in great numbers and much time after taking it, the baby’s development can be compromised, which should be evaluated by the pediatrician.

Symptoms of reflux in babies

The symptoms of reflux in babies are generally manifested by regurgitations in small corners after breastfeeding that can cause a little discomfort, this generally occurs in all babies. However, this ebb can be exaggerated and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as:

• Sueno agitated;
• constant vomiting;
• excessive toss;
• Attragantamiento;
• Difficulty in breastfeeding;
• Irritation and excessive stress;
• Snoring due to which the larynx is inflamed by the acidity of the stomach;
• Refusal to food;
• Difficulty gaining weight;
• Frequent inflammation in the ears.

In the presence of these symptoms, it is important to take the baby to the pediatrician or pediatric gastroenterologist for diagnosis and treatment.

This is due to the fact that if the reflux is not treated, there is an increase in the risk that the baby develops esophagitis, which occurs as a result of frequent contact of stomach acid with the esophageal mucosa, resulting in pain and discomfort . In addition, another possible complication is the pneumonia by aspiration, when the milk enters through the trachea there is the lungs in place of the esophagus.

When the reflux is not diagnosed and treated in time, the pain and the discomfort that it generates can cause the baby to refuse food, and its development may be compromised.

main causes

Reflux in babies is a relatively common situation and mainly occurs due to the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract, so when the baby eats, the milk can return towards the mouth.

In addition, other situations that can favor the development of reflux in babies are alterations in the digestive process, intolerance or allergy to milk or to another food component, including liquid food after having been recommended by the pediatrician to start solid food and leave the baby behind the mouth after eating, for example.

How is the treatment performed?

The ideal is to prevent the reflux through some precautions such as avoiding balancing the baby, avoiding putting on clothes that hold it in the belly or choosing a good position to give it lactation, which prevents the entry of air through its mouth.

Furthermore, after taking the baby it is advisable to let the baby erupt, placing it in a vertical position for approximately 30 minutes and after that the baby’s mouth rises and with the head of the high cuna around 30 to 40 degrees, setting a wedge of 10 cm or an anti-reflujo pad. Recostarlo del lado izquierdo is recommended for babies from 1 year old.

Normally, reflux in babies disappears after six months of age, when they start to sit down and eat solid foods, however, in case they are in the process of maintaining all the care, the pediatrician or gastroenterologist can receive the ingestion. of drugs such as Domperidona, in the event that the baby takes infant formula, it may indicate a special antireflujo (AR) or the performance of a surgery to correct the valve that prevents food from being delivered from the stomach to the esophagus.

Food for children’s reflux

The feeding for the infant reflux should ideally be the mother’s milk, but if the baby takes artificial milk, adding rice or maize harina can help to reduce the reflux. The maternal milk naturally produces less reflux, making digestion easier and so the baby only breastfeeds what is necessary, avoiding excesses.

If the baby drinks artificial milk, it may be necessary to spend it with rice or maize, which helps the food stay longer in the stomach, preventing reflux and in addition that it brings a greater amount of calories to the milk, taking into account that the baby gains weight quickly. In addition to this, there are also milks adapted for babies with reflux, which you have thickened in the composition. Learn more about artificial lactation.

Baby food should be given in small numbers and several times throughout the day so that the stomach is not so distended.

While feeding the mother who breastfeeds, foods such as grease, fried foods, chocolate, acidic juices, coffee, refreshments and yogurt should be avoided, as these foods can pass through milk, making it difficult for the baby to digest.

Differences between reflux and vomiting

To differentiate the reflux of an episode of vomiting, other signs must be observed, such as if the baby does a splash, and that in the case of vomiting it is necessary to apply strain, while the liquid does not flow out naturally. mouth. In the case of vomiting, the baby can also show signs of not feeling well, crying or crying, although in the reflux, it can be apparently normal, without any of these signs.

However, when the baby has frequent episodes of reflux the liquid can be acidic and produce irritation in the esophagus and in the larynx, so during an episode of reflux the baby may experience excessive swelling, irritability, changes in the sweat, agitation and I refuse to eat or drink the bottle.

How to avoid reflux in babies

There are some ways to avoid reflux in babies, such as:

• When breastfeeding, support the baby in arms, so that the mother’s belly touches the baby’s belly;
• During feedings, let the baby’s nostrils be free to breathe;
• To prevent the baby from sucking only the foot, you must encourage the baby to open its mouth enough to grab part of the areola and the foot;
• Exclusive maternal breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life and for the maximum possible time;
• Avoid giving large amounts of milk all at once;
• Increase the frequency of breastfeeding;
• Avoid balancing the baby;
• The bottle must be lifted so that the nipple is filled with milk, in this way the entry of air is avoided.

If with these preventive measures the baby continues with reflux, it is necessary to take the baby to the pediatrician or to the pediatric gastroenterologist so that the best treatment is evaluated and guided. Learn more about the correct way to breastfeed.