About Baby Acid Reflux
Colic is something that you think of in regards to children under the age of one. This is often a spell of crying that happens for more than a few minutes at least a few times a day. You would not have a baby suffering from colic if they cry for five minutes, but colic may be what is going on when they cry for hours on end and you can not seem to find anything wrong nor can you calm them. While colic use to be a blanket term for the unknown, many babies suffering from colic actually have baby acid reflux. Now that many know this is the problem, it is easier to end the suffering for both baby and parents.
Baby acid reflux can happen with any baby whether they are breastfed or bottle fed with formula. However, those who are breastfed are less likely to have colic that is related to baby acid reflux. Babies can more easily and thoroughly digest breast milk whereas some have huge problems with formula. That does not mean that reflux is not the problem, but it is less likely with breast milk. If you are feeding your baby formula, or if they make faces or have problems near the end of or after a feeding, acid reflux in babies may be the problem.
If you have given birth to a premature baby, you may very well have to worry about baby acid reflux even if you are giving them breast milk. You can not breast feed them right away in many cases, but they can have your breast milk through what is called a gavage or tube feeding. While they may not have any trouble digesting the breast milk, they may have baby acid reflux because of the length of their esophagus. This is too short, as they should have had time to grow before they had to digest food on their own. Acid reflux in premature babies is actually quite common no matter how they are fed.
What can be done about baby acid reflux then? At times, it takes nothing more than a medication prescribed by a doctor. Some mothers do not want to do this, but they are going to find that they are doing a huge favor to themselves and their baby. Premature babies may grow out of baby acid reflux when their esophagus lengthens, but not always. Full term babies may do the same, but again, they may have problems because of their digestive system being a bit immature. A doctor can best decide when medication can be weaned so that it can be seen if the baby still has problems with acid reflux.
Prescription medication may not be the only answer to baby acid reflux. Some find that holding their baby with their head elevated during and right after feedings can really help a baby keep milk down in the stomach where it belongs. Babies can be laid on their sides (with support so they do not roll onto their stomachs) to aid in digestion. Also, there are some herbal remedies like catnip and fennel that is known to help with digestion and acid reflux in babies. Talk with your doctor before you give your infant any type of herbal remedy however, to be sure it is safe for your child.
