While many people consider acid reflux to be an adult problem, acid reflux in babies is actually quite common. In fact, in the first 3 months of life, infants will often experience acid reflux symptoms. This is because the digestive system is still learning how to work properly and is weakened in the early stages of infancy.

As babies grow however, the symptoms of acid reflux usually decrease and by the baby’s first birthday, the symptoms have usually disappeared. The addition to solids to the diet, along with the digestive track becoming more mature, all contribute to the elimination of reflux symptoms.

However, in a small number of babies, reflux symptoms continue to persist, leaving babies and young children to live with acid reflux, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Parents will begin to notice that their baby’s symptoms worsen and become chronic, causing further medical conditions.

Parents can begin to determine whether or not their baby has acid reflux by the time their child is 3 months old. When the following symptoms begin to occur or worsen, they are tell-tale signs that a baby may have acid reflux.

One of the most common symptoms experienced in reflux babies is spitting up. Spitting up is of course natural for most babies, but there are certain signs to watch for. First, reflux babies will spit up after every feed and become irritable or uncomfortable during their feedings.

Second, reflux babies will have poor weight gain because of their frequent spitting up and their lack of eating. Third, reflux babies may even spit up after sneezing, coughing or crying. Ultimately, frequent spitting up leads to reflux babies feeling weak and ill-tempered.

A lot of parents will notice symptoms that mimic colic, such as irritability, constant crying and difficulty sleeping. Generally reflux babies will have trouble sleeping because they are hungry and uncomfortable. Reflux babies experience pain in their upper abdomen, so applying any kind of touch or pressure to this area will be painful.

Feedings are often difficult for reflux babies, as they are uncomfortable and cranky while feeding. Many parents will notice their babies arching their backs or refusing to eat. Because of the lack of eating, especially at such a young age, reflux babies will have poor growth. They either gain very little weight or no weight at all. In extreme cases, babies may even lose weight.

Other signs of acid reflux in babies include frequent coughing and hiccupping. Parents may also notice drooling from the corners of the mouth. All reflux babies are different and some may exhibit all of the symptoms, while others may only have a few.

Symptoms are most important in infants because doctors try not to run extensive tests on small infants. Instead, they look for symptoms that indicate that acid reflux is present, and doctors look to see how the baby is growing.

In some cases, a baby may be growing properly and gaining weight, but will still be diagnosed with acid reflux based on the symptoms the parents have reported. In other cases, a baby may not be growing properly and will need further testing to rule out other serious medical conditions.

If testing is needed, blood or urine tests may be given to determine whether or not there are other medical issues causing the reflux symptoms. More invasive tests include measuring the acidity levels in the esophagus using a pH test or taking an endoscope through the infant’s stomach, small intestine and esophagus.

If a baby is diagnosed with acid reflux, the doctor will recommend certain lifestyle changes which include holding the baby upright after feedings, offering smaller, more frequent feedings and introducing rice cereal. Acid blockers and acid suppressers may also be recommended.

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