October 24, 2006
Acid Reflux in Infants
Acid reflux in infants is one of the most common ailments among newborns and small children. I am a big proponent of alternative treatment for acid reflux but when it comes to infants this may not be the right choice. Both of our children were diagnosed with the condition, and it of course was hard news to hear the first time.
Your brain immediately goes into parent mode because you don’t want your child to have any pain or discomfort. You most certainly don’t want to hear that your child or children are diagnosed with a condition. However, our pediatrician reassured us that acid reflux in infants is quite a common condition among babies and with some treatment the condition would improve and eventually subside.
Acid reflux in infants is a condition where the contents of the stomach, including both acid and food, work back up into the esophagus sometimes causing pain and discomfort. One of the things you can try is try the infant’s formula. Back in the day there wasn’t that many choices. Carnation Good Start with comfort protein was new formula on the market but it didn’t work for my baby. We also tried Prosobee. Hyland’s Indigestion homeopathic formula worked well.
It is a medical fact that acid reflux in infants is common, mainly because their muscle closing off the stomach from the esophagus is often not completely formed yet and allows for acid and food to back up quite often, mostly after eating.
In babies, it is difficult to tell they have acid reflux, 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.
Acid reflux in infants is usually treated with some medication. Pediatricians often prescribe acid reducers such as Prevacid or Zantac, which reduce the production of acid in the stomach. Since acid reflux in infants is so common, these now come in water soluble forms which can either be mixed with their formula or breast milk, or it also dissolves almost immediately after hitting the mouth of an infant. This makes giving this medication much easier, and it is effective almost immediately.
Our children were treated with Prevacid as well as taking over the counter Mylanta. This is also commonly used to treat acid reflux in infants because it immediately soothes the esophagus and stomach lining, reducing the burning sensation and discomfort. By the time they reached one year of age, neither was taking medication for their acid reflux and are now normal healthy toddlers. There were absolutely no ill side effects from taking the medication prescribed, and our lives were almost immediately improved during treatment. The medication helped them to sleep better, spit up less and be more comfortable, leading to a much happier babyhood.
[tags]zantac, prevacid, gas pain, acid reducers, infant, babies, indigestion[/tags]
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6 Comments on Acid Reflux in Infants »
March 31, 2011
Vicki Siedow @ 9:33 am:
Go to the health store and get Flash some “Rescue Remedy.” It's a homeopathic formula for people and pets, to calm them down. It's surprisingly effective and has no side effects. I'm told the name came for its use on rescued pets. I told some relatives to give it to their dogs who were afraid of a series of storms, and they said it worked very well. It's also effective for people who are afraid of flying, or during periods of stress. You and Flash could probably split a bottle.
May 4, 2011
PATRICK C @ 3:57 pm:
I've had IBS forever! Watch what you eat– talk with your doc about some meds—-
Something to try is acidophelus (probably spelled it wrong) that will help– it's natural too!
May 10, 2011
Mike Allen @ 12:31 am:
I know someone who had the same symptoms and could not get relief until he began taking anti-depressants with a doctor's advice. You may need to visit a psychiatrist.
If you think it is of biological origin, visit . A couple of my friends used the home remedy described in that book and are very happy.
May 14, 2011
Vicki Siedow @ 4:33 am:
Go to the health store and get Flash some “Rescue Remedy.” It's a homeopathic formula for people and pets, to calm them down. It's surprisingly effective and has no side effects. I'm told the name came for its use on rescued pets. I told some relatives to give it to their dogs who were afraid of a series of storms, and they said it worked very well. It's also effective for people who are afraid of flying, or during periods of stress. You and Flash could probably split a bottle.
May 15, 2011
mikeae @ 6:40 pm:
Never heard of it. I had my last 3 babies with a midwife, and all she told me to get labor started was to have sex!
July 15, 2011
krishna k @ 2:08 pm:
kenj53 was right, it does sound like it's your gall bladder but you didn't mention if you are throwing up or if you are having diarrhea with it. Also, when I had my gall bladder attacks they got worse when I ate certain foods so I suspect it might be pancreatitis. I would go to a gastroenterologist instead of your PCP because a GI specializes in stomach problems. He/she might want to do an endoscopy to see if you have any gastritis or any type of an ulcer that may be causing the problem. Or….there is a procedure called an ERCP – Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography – where they inject dye into your bile duct to see if it is releasing enough gastric juices. If they do schedule you for an ERCP, they may prescribe Creon for you in the meantime- which is a pancreatic enzyme replacement. If it is your gall bladder and you have nausea, ask them for some Zofran or Compazine, which comes in pill or suppository form. I know suppositories aren't fun but if you're throwing up then the pills won't do you any good.
Good luck with the doctor. If they tell you it's just acid reflux then ask for a prescription PPI like Protonix or Nexium.