Acid reflux in babies is more common then many people realize, with more than half of all infants experiencing its symptoms to varying degrees in the first three months of life. This may sound un-nerving for new parents, but the good news is that most infant\’s acid reflux is a normal part of digestive tract development with relatively few experiencing the more severe symptoms that need to be dealt with medically.

Acid reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), occurs when stomach acid and contents flow back up the esophagus. This can be very uncomfortable and even painful for anyone, but is more so with babies as it causes an unpleasant burning sensation at the back of the throat as well as the upper chest area. The real problem with acid reflux in babies is simply identifying that they do indeed suffer from it.

Babies who suffer from occasional acid reflux often exhibit symptoms such as spitting up or vomiting, coughing, occasional fussiness or crying after eating and a reluctance to eat because of the discomfort associated with it. Of course these symptoms can be caused by any number of other things, but if they seem to consistently happen after feeding there is a good chance acid reflux is the culprit. Left untreated it can lead growth deficiencies due to the infant\’s inability to keep food down and refusing to eat. It is important to talk with your baby\’s pediatrician about any concerns you may have related to acid reflux.

The good news is that most infants out grow this condition and the vast majority of babies respond well to simple changes in feeding position and formula choices. Feeding in a more upright position is one recommendation your doctor may make, because this allows gravity to work, keeping the contents of the stomach moving downwards. It may be noticed that the baby\’s symptoms get worse when he is laid down for a nap. Another recommendation the doctor may make is feeding your baby more frequently with smaller amounts, instead of large feedings which exacerbate the condition. Thickening the formula may also help control the symptoms.

If dietary and positioning modifications do not help control the acid reflux in your baby then acid controlling medications may need to be used. If this is the case be sure to closely follow your doctor\’s orders. Treating a baby with over the counter medications is not a good idea unless supervised by the baby\’s pediatrician.

It is important to have any infant who suffers from acid reflux treated for this condition because it can cause damage to the esophagus and larynx as well as respiratory problems. In most cases it seldom gets to this extreme, but acid reflux in babies is something that all new parents need to be aware of and cognizant for.

Research have shown that Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), generally called Acid Reflux, is common among children of varying age groups, especially in infants, but is often overlooked. About fifty percent of babies, within the first six months of their lives, will experience acid reflux in one way or another. This is extremely painful for the newborn, but may not necessarily be treated as a threat to health in a long term sense unless there are other symptoms that accompany acid reflux. Acid reflux, to infants, is more likely to be the discomfort that causes the pain more than the reflux itself.

Nature Of Acid Reflux

GER occurs when food and gastric acid come back up from the stomach to the esophagus. This happens during or after a meal and is quite painful because of the acid present in the stomach contents and the amount of actual stomach acid that will be present in the throat. The discomfort for this condition is unbelievably painful in infants. For this reason, it is important to know the symptoms of acid reflux in babies so that it can be treated and the child can be comforted when a reflux actually occurs.

The young’s immature digestive systems are easy victims to acid reflux but as they grow up (up to one or two years of age), most children naturally come out of the problem.

Symptoms Of Acid Reflux In Children

There are many symptoms present in cases of acid reflux in children. More commonly seen symptoms include: pain, sudden crying, irritability, colic; repeated vomiting or just spitting-up; losing appetite; unable to sleep well; emission of wet burp or wet hiccup sounds; bad breath. It is essential to bear in mind that these symptoms may not necessarily mean that the infant is suffering from Acid Reflux, but are signs that means the overall digestive system of the child deserves some attention and adequate information. Remember to not get carried away with it, but at the same time nothing should be left unchecked.

Less common symptoms include: difficult to swallow food, gagging, and/or choking; throat infection and the need for constant eating and drinking to soothe it; deprived weight gain, loss of weight; husky voice; respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, noisy breathing, pneumonia etc.; ear infections, excessive salvation, sinus infections drooling, and peculiar neck arching.

Treatment Of Acid Reflux In Children

Various treatments are available to deal with GER in children. Most kids recover from it after turning one year old. Till then, correct positioning and feeding methods will provide relief to them. They are to be positioned upright to prevent food and acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus with help from gravity. Burping frequently and staying away from spicy, fatty and acidic foods will also help. Medications like antacids, motility medicines, acid suppressors, and acid blockers can also treat acid reflux. But in very serious cases of reflux, surgery is performed.

There are, definitely, cases of acid reflux in infants that are significantly more grave and important than others. Monitoring should be done, all cases should, and a doctor should be alerted if the symptoms turn too serious or if the acid reflux occurs more frequent or consistent. If bleeding or loss of important function occurs due to acid reflux, a pediatrician and a specialist should be consulted at once. This is because the acid reflux has reached a dangerous level and should be examined for other possible problem.

A paediatrician, with proper test done, can identify and resolve acid reflux in children. They will be aware of the problem and how your child is affected; enabling them to take proper samples and diagnose it before getting out of hand. From here, an informed decision can be decided in terms of possible cure options and getting the acid reflux curbed to the best of the abilities. Hopefully, both you and your child can get a good night’s rest with this information.



Reflux Condition And Complications In Acid Reflux In Children

In lots of young babies, regurgitation of some milk, particularly when burping after meals, is a common sight. But beware of complications, usually in the form of heartburn and esophagitis. Acid flowing from the stomach to the esophaugs produces a burning sensation called Heartburn. While reddening and swelling of the esophagus due to acid backflow is known as Esophagitis. It causes extreme pain and can kill appetite. In severe cases, it can cause the inflamed part of the esophagus to bleed. Poor growth, difficulty in swallowing and breathing problems are some other complications

The Most Important Reality

Taking care of the child’s emotional needs is one of the most often-suggested remedy and solutions for acid reflux in children. The primary task is to soothe your child and handle their emotional needs, as this is most damaged by the symptoms of acid reflux. It is a frustrating time, for both parent and child, to deal with the pain and to find a cure for the illness and the symptoms.

Research have shown that Gastro Esophageal Reflux (GER), generally called acid reflux, is common among children of varying age groups but it is often overlooked. About fifty percent of babies, within the first six months of their lives, will experience acid reflux in one way or another. This is extremely painful for the newborn, but may not necessarily be treated as a threat to health in a long term sense unless there are other symptoms that accompany acid reflux. Acid reflux, to infants, is more likely to be the discomfort that causes the pain more than the reflux itself.

Nature Of Acid Reflux

GER occurs when food and gastric acid come back up from the stomach to the esophagus. This happens during or after a meal and is quite painful because of the acid present in the stomach contents and the amount of actual stomach acid that will be present in the throat. The discomfort for this condition is unbelievably painful in infants. For this reason, it is important to know the symptoms of acid reflux in babies so that it can be treated and the child can be comforted when a reflux actually occurs.

The young’s immature digestive systems are easy victims to acid reflux but as they grow up (up to one or two years of age), most children naturally come out of the problem.

Symptoms Of Acid Reflux In Children

There are many symptoms present in cases of acid reflux in children. More commonly seen symptoms include: pain, sudden crying, irritability, colic; repeated vomiting or just spitting-up; losing appetite; unable to sleep well; emission of wet burp or wet hiccup sounds; bad breath. It is essential to bear in mind that these symptoms may not necessarily mean that the infant is suffering from Acid Reflux, but are signs that means the overall digestive system of the child deserves some attention and adequate information. Remember to not get carried away with it, but at the same time nothing should be left unchecked.

Less common symptoms include: difficult to swallow food, gagging, and/or choking; throat infection and the need for constant eating and drinking to soothe it; deprived weight gain, loss of weight; husky voice; respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, noisy breathing, pneumonia etc.; ear infections, excessive salvation, sinus infections drooling, and peculiar neck arching.

Treatment Of Acid Reflux In Children

Various treatments are available to deal with GER in children. Most kids recover from it after turning one year old. Till then, correct positioning and feeding methods will provide relief to them. They are to be positioned upright to prevent food and acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus with help from gravity. Burping frequently and staying away from spicy, fatty and acidic foods will also help. Medications like antacids, motility medicines, acid suppressors, and acid blockers can also treat acid reflux. But in very serious cases of reflux, surgery is performed.

There are, definitely, cases of acid reflux in infants that are significantly more grave and important than others. Monitoring should be done, all cases should, and a doctor should be alerted if the symptoms turn too serious or if the acid reflux occurs more frequent or consistent. If bleeding or loss of important function occurs due to acid reflux, a pediatrician and a specialist should be consulted at once. This is because the acid reflux has reached a dangerous level and should be examined for other possible problem.

A pediatrician, with proper test done, can identify and resolve acid reflux in children. They will be aware of the problem and how your child is affected; enabling them to take proper samples and diagnoses it before getting out of hand. From here, an informed decision can be decided in terms of possible cure options and getting the acid reflux curbed to the best of the abilities. Hopefully, both you and your child can get a good night’s rest with this information.



Reflux Condition And Complications In Acid Reflux In Children

In lots of young babies, regurgitation of some milk, particularly when burping after meals, is a common sight. But beware of complications, usually in the form of heartburn and esophagitis. Acid flowing from the stomach to the esophagus produces a burning sensation called Heartburn. While reddening and swelling of the esophagus due to acid backflow is known as Esophagitis. It causes extreme pain and can kill appetite. In severe cases, it can cause the inflamed part of the esophagus to bleed. Poor growths, difficulty in swallowing and breathing problems are some other complications

The Most Important Reality

Taking care of the child’s emotional needs is one of the most often-suggested remedy and solutions for acid reflux in children. The primary task is to soothe your child and handle their emotional needs, as this is most damaged by the symptoms of acid reflux. It is a frustrating time, for both parent and child, to deal with the pain and to find a cure for the illness and the symptoms.

Acid reflux would not be a frustrating situation to undergo if only people could get to know about its symptoms. Various people experience different kinds of signs depending on what causes them to have this disease. The following are some of the common acid reflux symptoms that people tend to have.

Having a paining sensation in your chest is one of the common symptoms people notice. The pain comes about when stomach acid tries to climb back to the throat. As it passes through your chest, it tends to burn the tender tissues found there and this makes you feel the sensation. The degree of this pain usually varies because at times it may be mild and other times it may be so intense that you feel it on your back. It is very important to distinguish the pain caused by acid reflux from other types of pain and for this reason, you are advised to consult a doctor for more diagnosis.

Frequent heart burns also signify the presence of this disease taking place. This symptom is characterized by having a burning feeling in the throat and neck something that is caused by a backward flow of food items from the stomach. However, the most intense pain is mainly felt in your mid chest area. Heart burns are usually brought about due to digestive problems and should not at any time be mistaken for problems with the heart. Normal antacids may be used to clear the problem but if it persists, seek medical advise.

Difficulty when swallowing food may be another acid reflux symptom. Most of the times when someone is suffering from this condition, it is usually due to frequent back flows of acid which burns the throat several times. Naturally because of the pain coming out of the throat sores, you have a difficult time when swallowing. Another reason may be that food particles from the stomach may be stuck in the esophagus and thus making you not pass food easily through it.

Frequent spitting and vomiting is a common signal of acid reflux in babies. Spitting up takes place in various occasions in the baby’s life for example, it may take place as the baby cries, when the baby is laughing, eating and so many other times. The reason for this event taking place is that, when acid flows to the baby’s throat, a burning sensation is felt and in order for the baby to relieve itself from this, it spits up so as to let out the acid. Vomiting is brought about by gas flowing from the stomach to the throat together with food content because of food reflux. When this gas reaches the throat, the baby gets a natural reflex of getting it out of the system and as a result, the baby burps and in return the gas comes out together with the food content thus vomiting.

So get to know acid reflux symptoms in order to be able to catch the condition in its early stages and make informed decisions for you to live a comfortable life free from the problems that comes together with this discomfort.

Almost all new parents will have to deal with acid reflux in their baby at one time or another. It can be one of the primary causes of Colic, a condition in which babies cry or scream for extended periods of time. The primary cause of this painful condition is the regurgitation of stomach acids back into the esophagus. It is a discomforting feeling to say the least if you ask any adult who suffers from it. There are treatments for babies but finding the one that works for yours can take a little time and patience.

This disease is also know as gastro esophageal reflux disease or GERD for short, and is normally caused by outside influences such as diet. It can be something of a challenge treating an infant for this condition simply because a baby has no way of telling their parents what is wrong; aside from crying a lot of course.

The first stop for any parent whose baby is suspected of having acid reflux is the pediatrician. There are many illnesses that can cause a baby to cry and trying to diagnose a problem and then treating it can cause more harm than good. Not only will a pediatrician be able to properly diagnose acid reflux but they will also be able to help with the best way to treat the problem.

The first place most doctors will suggest to look at is diet, because what babies eat and how much they eat can play a big part of any GERD related problem. Dairy products, because of their high fat content need to be avoided. Your doctor may suggest a change of formula as well, because just like adults some infants tolerate certain foods better then others. Another dietary supplement that can be of relief for infants is liquid calcium. It has a cooling and soothing affect that is conducive to healing the problem.

If dietary changes do not help the symptoms your doctor may prescribe a medication such as Zantac or Reglin. These drugs can be used by infants as young as six weeks of age, but should only be done under the supervision of a doctor.

Acid reflux in babies can be a dangerous condition because they are more prone to spitting up, which increases the chance of sleep Apnea when they are lying down. Apnea can be a serious condition because it is a stoppage of breathing for short moments of time. Because a baby’s throat is very small any food contents regurgitating into the esophagus is a potential choking hazard.

Acid reflux in babies can be a potentially dangerous condition. If you suspect your baby may be suffering from its affects it is important to see your baby’s pediatrician as soon as possible. Managing GERD in its early stages is by far the best way to deal with this painful disease.

When most of us think about heartburn we rarely consider acid reflux infants, but this condition (heartburn, acid reflux, gerd) is quite common in babies. In fact, more than half of all infants experience acid reflux within the first three months of their lives. The good news is that only a small number of infants experience the more serious symptoms.

Here are four things you should know about acid reflux infants:

1. What To Look For

Obviously, infants can’t explain where it hurts or how they’re feeling. This can make it difficult to know when your baby may be experiencing acid reflux. There are clues that should point you in the right direction, however. Here are some of things you should look for:

- Is your infant experiencing sleeping problems?

- Is your infant coughing even though there’s no evidence of a cold?

- Has your infant experienced weight loss?

- Has your infant exhibited a lack of appetite?

- Does he or she spit up frequently?

- Does he or she exhibit unusual irritability?

- Is there chest pain?

- Is there a sore throat?

- Does your baby have bad breath that’s reminiscent of vomit?

- Is your baby crying for no apparent reason?

2. What’s Going On

Acid reflux infants can be in incredible pain, as you’ll probably understand if you’ve ever experienced heartburn for yourself.  The pain is the result of stomach acid rising into the esophagus. For an infant, this commonly occurs during or after a feeding.  The pain is the stomach acid irritating the esophagus lining and sometimes the back of the throat.

3. Acid Reflux Infants – Causes

There are several causes of acid reflux in babies. These are generally exacerbated by the fact that infants mostly consume liquids, while spending most of their time throughout the day lying on their backs. It’s easier for liquids to rise back up into the esophagus than solids. And the process of lying down adds pressure to the esophageal sphincter which normally keeps the stomach contents confined to the stomach.

Other potential causes to be aware of include poor eating habits, being overweight, and food allergies.

4. Consult With Your Pediatrician

If you have a suspicion that your infant may be experiencing acid reflux, even a minor case, you should consult with your pediatrician. Be prepared to explain the symptoms you’ve noticed, the eating habits of your baby, and any other clues that you believe to be relevant.

Acid reflux infants are not unusual and there’s no cause for concern as long as you’re aware of the situation and you’ve taken the time to consult with your pediatrician. Often the condition can be rectified simply by changing some basic eating and sleeping habits.

Acid reflux is a common condition that occurs after or during a meal. During this period, the contents inside your baby’s stomach goes back via the esophagus. Esophagus is a tube that connects mouth and your stomach.

The tube possesses a ring of muscles at the bottom that opens to allow food into your stomach. The LES opens after a meal in adults to release the gas. When this ring opens in babies, it is usually accompanied by acid reflux.

Babies can also suffer from acid reflux when they cry, cough or strain.

Doctors also believe that there is no special reason for acid reflux in babies as it is a common condition, especially in the first few months after the baby is born. Even healthy babies can suffer from acid reflux.

However, if this condition persists by the time the baby celebrates his first birthday, there is some problem you must consult a paediatrist here.

A)  There are some symptoms of acid reflux. Here are some of the most common symptoms of acid reflux experienced by babies.

a)      Vomiting

b)      Irritability

c)      Spitting up

d)      Blood in stools

Sometimes, babies may also experience severe symptoms of acid reflux. However, this is only under rare circumstances. In case, a baby experiences any of these symptoms, it is a cause of concern.

B)  Here is a list of some of the serious acid reflux symptoms:

a)      Refusing to eat even after feeling hungry

b)      Poor weight gain

c)      Breathing problems

d)      Burning sensation in esophagus

e)      Blood loss

f)        Coughing

If you observe any of the above mentioned symptoms in your baby, you must consult a doctor or a child specialist on an immediate basis. These symptoms may be due to acid reflux or any other medical problem. Your doctor may be the best person to judge this.

C)  You also need to speak to a child specialist if you observe any of the following serious symptoms.

a)      Painful or difficult swallowing

b)      Vomiting in large amounts or forceful vomiting

c)      Difficulty in breathing after vomiting and/or spitting up

d)      Excessive irritability especially during feeding

e)      Vomiting green or yellow colored fluid

f)        Vomiting blood or fluid like coffee grounds

When diagnosing acid reflux in a baby, the health care professional will take to you about the symptoms of your child and then examine the child. In case, he or she finds the baby happy, healthy and showing great health, no test or treatment is recommended.

However, some tests may still be required to analyze the symptoms of the baby associated to GER. There are also some treatments that may be prescribed without any tests.

D)  Here are some treatment options:

a)      Introduction of thickened feedings with cereal

b)      Keeping the baby upright once he is fed

c)      Smaller and frequent feeding sessions

The baby is introduced to medicines in case of severe symptoms. These medicines may include the following:

a)      H2 – blockers

b)      Proton-pump inhibitors

The best thing to do is to take your baby to the doctor as soon as you observe the symptoms of acid reflux.

Acid reflux (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) is a physiological condition that causes the content of the stomach to reflux into the esophagus and throat. Although there are many factors that contribute to the development of acid reflux, the main cause is inappropriate activity of the lower esophageal sphincter (muscular valve that seals the lower ending of the esophagus), allowing the stomach acids to reach the upper levels of the body. Additional causes of acid reflux are inappropriate diet, unhealthy lifestyle or other physical dysfunctions and conditions.

Acid reflux can become serious if it is not appropriately treated. The symptoms of acid reflux should be spotted quickly, in order to prevent the development of complications (esophageal inflammation and lesions, damage of the throat, gastro-intestinal disorders, breathing problems). The symptoms of acid reflux are easy to identify and it is best to see a physician as soon as they occur. The condition has a chronic character and usually requires ongoing treatment. For some patients, surgery is best alternative in overcoming acid reflux.

Acid reflux is very common in infants and young children. Although for most babies the symptoms of acid reflux disappear with time, in some cases the condition can persist for years, causing serious harm to the gastro-intestinal system and the esophagus. The most common symptoms of acid reflux in infants are: spitting, vomiting, coughing, irritability, discomfort when feeding and the presence of blood in feces. Other symptoms of acid reflux in babies occur if the condition is severe: pronounced difficulty swallowing, intense pain when feeding, spitting or coughing blood, vomiting blood, presence of blood in stools, problems with breathing.

Common symptoms of acid reflux in adults are: abdominal pain and discomfort (especially after meals), bad breath, bitter taste in the mouth, excessive secretion of saliva, and sleeping problems. People with acid reflux can also develop apnea, a sleeping disorder manifested through respiratory insufficiency.

The extended symptoms of acid reflux in adults are: difficulty swallowing, chest burn and aching, poor appetite, nausea, presence of blood in vomit and stools, throat inflammation and pain, breathing difficulties. If the symptoms of acid reflux become very intense it is a clear sign of aggravation. Acid reflux can cause serious damage at the level of the esophagus, due to its constant exposure to stomach gastric acid. Acid reflux can cause inflammation, swelling and even scarring of the esophageal soft tissue. It is very important to pay attention to the symptoms of acid reflux, and act quickly in overcoming the condition. If acid reflux occurs frequently, it can cause serious complications.

Further reading: Acid Reflux Symptoms.

Read more about what foods to avoid if you have acid reflux: Acid Reflux Diet.

More about acid reflux symptoms: What does acid reflux feel like?.

You may be surprised to learn that acid reflux babies are quite common. In fact, most infants experience mild heartburn or reflux at some time. Which doesn’t make it any less frightening for parents. So let’s take a look at what’s happening when a baby has acid reflux and what can tip you off about the condition.

Acid reflux babies experience the same condition as adults. Stomach acids push up against the lower esophageal sphincter and pass into the esophagus, often rising as high as the back of throat. The result is a painful burning sensation. 

Infants with this condition will often display behaviors such as spitting, vomiting, coughing, irritability, poor feeding, and even blood in the stools. Acid reflux disease can also cause respiratory problems including pneumonia, strictures and ulcerations on the esophageal wall, and malnourishment. Although, these signs don’t always mean your infant is suffering from acid reflux disease. There may be something else entirely going on.

In more severe cases, which are much rarer, acid reflux babies may experience poor growth due to the inability to keep food down, refusing to feed due to pain, blood loss from the acidic burning of the esophagus, and breathing problems.

Acid reflux in babies can be the result of a number of factors, though the most common factors tend to be complicated by the fact that infants spend most of their days lying on their backs or in a supine position and consume mostly liquid foods. The combination of these exerts pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which creates a greater risk of reflux. Other influences may also include the anatomy of an infant’s stomach, improper or incomplete development of the lower esophageal sphincter during fetal growth, poor diet, overweight, food allergies and a host of other factors.

There are some things you can do to help if your baby is displaying acid reflux symptoms. For instance, you can do simple things such as changing your infant’s food and keeping your infant in an upright position after eating. This extra attention could be all your child really needs.

If these don’t appear to be helping, it’s time to see your pediatrician. Tests may be needed to make a proper diagnosis, and your doctor will likely want to monitor your child’s feeding habits and possible symptoms. You may be asked to keep a log of your baby’s behaviors, such as irritability, crying, etc. The more information your pediatrician has, the easier it’ll be to make a proper diagnosis and get your infant feeling better.

In most cases, acid reflux babies will exhibit symptoms that are easily manageable. But it’s always better to play it safe and involve your pediatrician if you any concerns about your baby’s health.

Acid reflux does not take place in grown up people alone, research has it that babies too suffer from this disturbing disease. Unlike adults, babies can not talk instead, they are only able to use gestures and signs to pass the message that they are suffering from acid reflux. So it is up to you as the care taker of the baby to know the causes and all these possible signals of acid reflux in babies.

An underdeveloped digestive system in children is one of the major causes of acid reflux in babies. Food does not get properly digested and this results in it being brought back into the throat and as it carries with it stomach acid, it causes the baby to have acid reflux. While this acid passes through the throat, the baby experiences a burning sensation and this will definitely make the it to react.

Weak coverings of flaps which cover the baby’s esophagus allow stomach contents to flow back into the throat. This content comes together with gas something that makes the baby to throw up whatever it had eaten. In the process,acid passes through the throat and can cause harm to the baby as a result of acid reflux.

Various signals from the baby could be used to indicate a presence of acid reflux. Among these signs is the baby spitting up regularly during or after the baby has had a meal.This could take place in other times as well. The baby usually does the spitting up using various forms and needs one to be keen in order to notice that this indicates that the baby is suffering from acid reflux. The baby may spit as he is crying, while laughing, coughing or even while straining to pass a bowel movement. This calls for parents to be extra careful when handling their babies to be able to notice these little things as most babies remain blissfully oblivious they could be in distress.

Difficulty in swallowing when the baby is being fed should trigger an alarm that the baby may be suffering from acid reflux. The reason why the baby has a difficulty in swallowing food is that due to frequent acid refluxes, the baby’s throat undergoes several burning sensations and this causes it to experience pain as they swallow food hence having a difficult time during meal times.

To prevent acid reflux in babies, try to ensure that it sleeps in right positions that won’t allow stomach contents to flow back into the throat. You may try to elevate his head a little to let gastric acid from climbing back to the throat and cause damage as a result of the acid.

In addition, always try to let the baby burp after feeding to let the gas pass away. This could be achieved by holding the baby up straight after feeding. Pressure will be reduced from the digestive system of course preventing the stomach contents back to the throat and causing the reflux.

Let us give our babies a nice time growing up as we protect them from acid reflux.