How many babies get reflux

Sometimes called gastroesophageal reflux GER , the condition is rarely serious and becomes less common as a baby gets older. It's unusual for infant reflux to continue after age 18 months. Rarely, infant reflux can be accompanied by worrisome symptoms, such as failure to thrive or weight loss. These can indicate a medical problem, such as an allergy, a blockage in the digestive system or gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD.

Infant reflux generally isn't a cause for concern. It's unusual for the stomach contents to have enough acid to irritate the throat or esophagus and to cause signs and symptoms. Some of these signs can indicate possibly serious but treatable conditions, such as GERD or a blockage in the digestive tract. In infants, the ring of muscle between the esophagus and the stomach — the lower esophageal sphincter LES — is not yet fully mature.

That allows stomach contents to flow back up. Eventually, the LES will open only when your baby swallows and will remain tightly closed at other times, keeping stomach contents where they belong. The factors that contribute to infant reflux are common in babies and often can't be avoided.

These factors include:. If your baby has a more-serious condition such as GERD , he or she might grow poorly. Some research indicates that babies who have frequent episodes of spitting up might be more likely to develop GERD during later childhood.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This stops stomach contents leaking out. You do not need to be concerned about reflux if your baby is feeding well, happy and gaining weight as normal. If you are breastfeeding and you are concerned that your baby may have reflux, you should speak with your public health nurse.

Your lactation consultant and the HSE's breastfeeding online guide can also give you support and advice. Positioning and attachment of baby to the breast. If your baby is on infant formula, speak to your public health nurse to make sure that they are taking the correct amount of formula for their age. Avoid chopping and changing your baby's infant formula.

If you are considering changing your baby's infant formula milk, discuss it with your public health nurse first. If reflux is causing your baby a lot of discomfort or distress, speak with your public health nurse or GP. There are some treatments available that can help. Do not elevate your baby's head when asleep to treat reflux.

This is sometimes called positional management. Positional management is elevating the head of their cot or using pillows under the baby's mattress, sleep positioners and baby pillows. Place your baby on their back to sleep. Follow advice on safe sleep to reduce the risk of cot death.

Safe sleep position for babies. Try to feed your baby long before bedtime so stomach contents have a chance to settle fully. There are other ways to help your baby sleep, too. The doctor can rule out other conditions or confirm a GERD diagnosis. Silent reflux, also known as laryngopharyngeal reflux LPR , is common in young babies.

If your baby has silent reflux, they may act uncomfortable or…. Water brash is a symptom of GERD. Learn about acid brash and other symptoms of GERD, what causes acid reflux, and how to treat it. When dinner is over and the discomfort begins, is it GERD? We look at GERD symptoms in adults, babies, and children, and tell you what you can do…. Do you deal with heartburn more than twice a week? You could be dealing with GERD. Learn what causes it, and what treatment options are available.

Numerous over-the-counter medications can help treat GERD, or heartburn. Learn more about your options for treating GERD and when you should see a…. Acid reflux happens when your stomach contents rise into your esophagus.

Learn which foods you should avoid to prevent reflux. Acid reflux and GERD can cause serious health issues, and a host of symptoms you might not normally connect to you gastrointestinal health — like…. Cinnamon is often said to cause acid reflux symptoms, but you may wonder whether this is true. This article examines the science behind cinnamon and…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Effect on infants Spitting up and vomiting Trouble eating Irritability Wet burps or hiccups Failure to gain weight Arching their body Coughing or pneumonia Gagging or choking Chest pain or heartburn Trouble sleeping Takeaway Understanding acid reflux Acid reflux happens when the contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus.

While they may vary, the 10 most common signs of acid reflux or GERD in infants include: spitting up and vomiting refusal to eat and difficulty eating or swallowing irritability during feeding wet burps or hiccups failure to gain weight abnormal arching frequent coughing or recurrent pneumonia gagging or choking chest pain or heartburn disturbed sleep.

Spitting up and vomiting.