Soothing Your Child's Acid Reflux

I suffered with heartburn during pregnancy, and curiously enough, after weeks and weeks of crying after eating and spitting up constantly, my first child was diagnosed with acid reflux. The initial news was disconcerting. It was my first baby, and of course I did not want him to be in any pain or diagnosed with any sort of medical complication. Our pediatrician reassured us that this is quite a common condition among babies and with some treatment; he wouldn’t even feel any of the side effects.

One year later, my first son had outgrown his acid reflux and was doing well. Along with the medication he received I also tried an inflatable sleep wedge which seemed to help. After the birth of my second son, I knew what symptoms to look for and brought some concerns to the pediatrician. He, too, was diagnosed with acid reflux. Both of my sons were treated with a combination of Mylanta and Prevacid, and both were not in any obvious pain or discomfort while being treated. Their sleep patterns regulated, they spit up much less, and their overall demeanor was much more pleasant. Each outgrew their acid reflux and are now happy and healthy with no side effects.

Treatment and Causes of acid reflux in babies and Children 

Treatment in babies and children usually includes taking some medication. Sometimes a sleep wedge pillow can be tried, but check with your child's doctor first. Often it is recommended to take some over the counter liquid medication, such as Mylanta. Of course, it will be in a very small dose through a dropper because of the child’s size, but it generally is helpful in lessening the discomfort. If this does not seem to be enough to calm the symptoms the doctor may recommend taking a prescription medication such a Prevacid or Zantac.

Acid reflux is when the contents of the stomach, including both acid and food, work back up into the esophagus sometimes causing pain and discomfort. Sometimes this causes vomiting or a burp that contains some of the acid and/or food. In babies, it is difficult to tell this is happening, as it is quite common for babies to spit up. If a child spits up or vomits often, and it is accompanied by crying, arching of the back or poor sleeping habits then the child most often is diagnosed with acid reflux. This is quite common in babies, as the muscle closing off the stomach from the esophagus is often not completely formed yet.

The medications help to stop the production of acid in the stomach, and therefore there is less acid to work back up into the esophagus. Vitamin u is not probably not suitable for this age group, although it is a useful treatment for adults.