Kids Health Watch is Sponsored by Children’s Medical Group
Reflux is common in babies, children, and teens, but it can look different at each age. Occasional reflux is common; however, when it causes ongoing discomfort or fussiness, feeding or growth concerns, or other concerns, it may be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which might need intervention.
In infants, reflux often appears as spitting up. Many babies are “happy spitters”—they spit up but remain comfortable, eat well, and gain weight normally. Others may seem fussy during or after feeds, arch their backs, refuse feeds, cough, or have trouble gaining weight. Reflux is especially common early in life because babies consume mostly liquid feeds and the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus is still maturing. It usually improves as babies grow, spend more time upright, and begin solid foods.
If your baby seems uncomfortable, simple measures may help, such as holding them upright during and after feeds, allowing time for a feed to settle, and discussing feeding technique or volume with your pediatrician. Reflux that does not improve with conservative measures, or seems to be getting worse, may need other interventions like adding a medication or changing or adjusting feeds, which can be discussed with your pediatrician.
In older children, reflux may cause nighttime vomiting, sleep disruption, daytime fatigue, nausea, throat discomfort, cough, hoarseness, chest burning, or upper stomach pain. Symptoms may be exacerbated by constipation, illness, certain medicines, excess weight, or other medical conditions, which can be assessed by your pediatrician. Food allergies or other digestive conditions can sometimes resemble reflux, so persistent symptoms may need further evaluation.
For some children, specific foods and drinks seem to trigger symptoms. Greasy or spicy foods, caffeine, and acidic foods such as tomato products may be bothersome. Keeping a brief symptom-and-food diary can help identify patterns.
Older children may also benefit from avoiding food for a few hours before lying down or bedtime. Your pediatrician can help determine whether dietary changes, constipation treatment, r a medication, or even referral to a specialist is appropriate.
Contact your pediatrician if symptoms are persistent, new, or affecting eating, sleep, school, or growth.
Dr. Savannah Browning grew up in Fayette, AL. She’s a pediatrician and lactation consultant at Children’s Medical Group in Mobile, AL. She attended medical school at the University of South Alabama, and has been a proud Mobilian ever since. She is married to her husband, Andrew, and they have four children: Jude, Luke, Annie, and Sybil.
Author: Savannah Browning
Dr. Savannah Browning grew up in Fayette, AL. She moved to Mobile to attend Medical School at the University of South Alabama in 2009, and has been a proud Mobilian ever since. She joined Children’s Medical Group in 2016, and her office is at the Airport Boulevard location. She lives in Mobile with her husband, Andrew, and their three children: Jude, Luke, and Annie.
