Newborn Acid Reflux Symptoms

Newborn acid reflux can leave the new parents wondering about their baby's health. More than 50% of the infants suffer from newborn acid reflux for first three months of age. Most of the babies outgrow newborn acid reflux by the age of 12-18 months. This data may certainly relieve the concerns of some of the parents.

Newborn acid reflux can be difficult to diagnose as they are normally on feeds, which is not considered harmful. Moreover, it is very common phenomenon for the infants to vomit or spit up the excess of the feed. However, if this spitting up continues in a regular basis, then it can be more or less because of the newborn acid reflux. Your baby's pediatrician is the best person to decide the condition of the newborn.

The newborn acid reflux occurs because of the undeveloped sphincter valve; in this case the lower esophageal sphincter valve. There are several measures that can be taken to prevent newborn acid reflux. One of these is keeping the baby in upright position after feeds. Even when you lay down the baby, his body must be kept in an inclined position rather than straight on the back.

Yet another preventive measure for newborn acid reflux is that the baby should be given smaller and frequent feeds. During feeds, the newborn must be made to burp. Some babies take too much of feed at one time unknowingly and then spit up after wards, which is bad and can be avoided. Nursing mothers should take light and nutritious diet and should avoid spicy and oily food. In fewer cases, mixing rice cereal with formula or mother's feed helps in controlling the regurgitation of feed caused due to newborn acid reflux.

Symptoms of Newborn Acid Reflux

There is a certain category of babies known as "happy spitters". These are the ones who remain calm and happy despite the episodes of spitting or vomiting of food. In such newborns, the parents need not worry much. However, if newborn acid reflux is affecting your baby's health to the extent that he/she is not having any weight gain, then it is a matter of concern.

In normal cases of newborn acid reflux, the symptoms are baby refusing feeds, spitting up, sudden crying and discomfort etc. In chronic cases of newborn acid reflux there may be blood discharge in stool or a brown or greenish color vomit. The baby might be inconsolably crying and showing poor sleeping habits, with frequent waking up. Also, the weight gain would be slower. Normally a newborn gains almost twice his birth weight in a range of 3-5 months. This may not be the case in case of babies with newborn acid reflux.

Newborn acid reflux can be extremely irritating for first time parents. However, by equipping oneself with little knowledge about the newborn acid reflux, it can be handled smartly.

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