Reflux Source

Reflux is a condition babies can develop through having a weak stomach valve, that allows the milk in your babies stomach or food, to come back up the throat, burning it with stomach acid and most commonly, whatever is on the way back up is projectile vomited out.

However there is also silent reflux, which can sometimes be unnoticed or misdiagnosed, where your baby has all the above, but is not projectile vomiting. As this is the main sign of reflux some doctors may not be willing to put the rest of the symptoms down to reflux. You may notice that when your baby is feeding, he or she suddenly takes a deep swallow, like a gulp then bursts out crying, this may be your baby swallowing back down what was on the way up. If you suspect your baby has silent reflux, take your baby to the GP and explain the symptoms. If you are dismissed in anyway, make sure you stand your ground and ask for your child to be tested.

Reflux really begins to show at about 5 weeks of age, as your baby gradually begins to take more milk. Before this time, as most mums feed little and often, babies are more settled. Signs of reflux are fussing and screaming whilst feeding, baby arching its back while feeding, Gulping quickly when feeding then screaming, excessive drooling and being very unhappy whenever baby is laid flat.

If you suspect your baby suffers from this condition, see your GP immediately and be firm about having your baby tested. If your baby has mild reflux, you will most likely be recommended to change babies formula (if bottle feeding), to one of the formulas specifically designed to be thicker and easier to digest to help stop the milk coming up as easily. Omneo Comfort from Cow and Gate has a great reputation for helping with reflux and even better, in the uk it can be got on prescription. If you breast feed you may be prescribed infant gaviscon, which you will need to administer to your baby before each feed, following the instructions that come with it. In some cases the reflux is severe and your GP will sort out the appropriate medicine to help combat it.

Reflux most commonly gets better with the introduction of solid foods and by the time your baby reaches the end of the first year. Below are some other tips for helping your baby: 

* When feeding your baby try to keep baby as upright as possible to help stop the milk coming back up.

* Feeding little and often and make sure baby is properly winded will help some babies.

* Once finished feeding avoid lying your baby flat on its back, keep baby up right for a good half hour.

* Prop babies cot up at one end, either with a pillow under the mattress or books under two of the legs of the cot so your baby sleeps with its head higher than its body.