Infant Reflux: When Sleeping Like a Baby Doesn't Happen

Infant reflux is not an uncommon condition, and is one that parents should be aware of and not confused for something else.  Quite clearly, babies are born immature. This much is obvious, but what isn't always as obvious is that the immature development of the child is internal as much as external, and systems such as the digestive tract, although present and developed, is still immature, and therefore particularly prone to upset and complications in the early stages. In fact, it takes at least three months after birth before a baby's digestive system has properly developed and settled down into a normal and successful system.

Until that point, at least half of all babies will suffer from infant acid reflux, which is the release of stomach acids up into the esophagus, primarily due to a weak and under developed valve, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, whose function it is to separate the stomach from the esophagus. In adults, the exact same condition of acid reflux, or heartburn as it is often referred to, is caused by the lower esophageal sphincter being either weakened or damaged through poor diet, ill health or other issues.

The problem that parents have is that whilst they know that their baby has a fifty percent chance of suffering from infant reflux, or colic as it is usually referred to, identifying this as being the cause of the incessant crying, waking up, refusing to go to sleep, whinging, crying and so on, is not easy. There is a general suggestion known as the rule of three that states that if, over a period of three weeks, your baby spends at least three hours a day, three days a week, crying, then the chance e is that they are suffering from colic. It's also usually easier to tell, because rather than a pathetic little cry, the baby suffering from acid reflux will usually scream, rather than cry, with a contorted face, and often with a very sudden beginning and end.

It's not always the case that this can be associated with feeding, as it is quite possible that the symptoms of colic only emerge hours after a feed. This increases the difficulty of identification. A common reaction to the first suspicion of acid reflux is to pour an antacid, such as Gaviscon, down your child's throat. Whilst this will help to relieve the discomfort, and aids sleep, this is not a good idea on a regular basis. The antacids actually inhibit the effective breakdown and digestion of important enzymes in the milk, and so actually reduce the overall effectiveness of digestion and feeding.

A more gentle and natural remedy is gripe water. There are many common misconceptions about this, including the suggestion that it contains alcohol, and therefore drugs the child to sleep. It is certainly true that gripe water used to contain alcohol, and there are cases of mothers becoming slightly addicted to the stuff themselves, but today it is entirely alcohol free and contains nothing but natural ingredients. The two main ingredients of gripe water are fennel and ginger, known to be extremely good at neutralising the stomach acids naturally, and so relieving the discomfort experienced in any reflux.

It is also perfectly possible that your child has an intolerance to milk, or some kinds of milk at least. Cow's milk does contain some complex proteins, and some babies find these difficult to digest. Breast milk is, as they say, best, although specially formulated milks for babies, including milks suitable for lactose intolerant children, do offer a safer and more comfortable alternative. Goats' milk, and even soya are also popular alternatives which can provide some relief. A popular baby class advertised in most towns today is baby massage that can also help. 

This delightful sounding activity provides numerous benefits for both parent and child, and helps to not only increase the bond between parent and child, but helps to relax the baby, and can be applied to their tummy or back to help digestion. This can relieve or prevent the problem of infant reflux, rather than the popular method of slinging the child over your shoulder and whacking it on the back until it burps. Flinging the child over your shoulder and squashing its tummy is only likely to increase the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, and so result in acid reflux, the burp being evidence of this, and vigorous patting or rubbing will likewise encourage any tendency to reflux or posit.

Other techniques that have proven successful in helping to prevent or relieve the problem of acid reflux in young infants include keeping the child warm and cuddled up (but not restricted) after a meal, a warm bath can prove very relaxing, and making sure that the child sits up for a while after feeding, rather than immediately lying them, down. Because of a baby's underdeveloped internal organs and structures, lying down puts considerable strain on the lower esophageal sphincter, increasing any likelihood of reflux. A good solution is to raise the head end of the mattress slightly, to allow gravity to assist in keeping things where they belong.

If your baby seems to suffer more than usual with acid reflux, then it is, naturally, highly recommended that you take them to see a doctor or other specialist, as similar symptoms can be identified in conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, which may require surgery. However, do not be alarmed because the vast majority of infant reflux cases are transitory and come and go without you knowing why.

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