If you are a new mother, you may need some held identifying and understanding common baby reflux symptoms. Acid reflux occurs in about 20% of all babies at some point during the first nine months of life. It affects those babies with an underdeveloped digestive tract.
When a baby's intestinal muscles aren't fully developed, they are unable to pull hard enough to take the milk entirely through the digestive system. When the intestinal muscles aren't pulling as hard as they should be, they aren't able to pull hard enough to close the sphincter at the top of the stop. When the sphincter doesn't close, contents of the stomach are free to re-enter the mouth. Because a baby's diet is primarily liquid, it is very difficult to prevent this return flow.
If your infant has the common baby reflux symptoms, you will likely find that the best position is propped upright on your shoulder or lap. Gravity will help keep the contents of the stomach in the stomach.
What are the baby reflux symptoms?
Everybody has heard of acid reflux, but very few people are aware that baby acid reflux is an issue. Many babies that have acid reflux are often thought to have colic or ordinary tummy troubles. After all, all babies spit up every now and then. Parents rarely association the constant cries with baby acid reflux.
One of the most common baby reflux symptoms is a painful, burning sensation that the baby feels across the abdomen or chest. When the acidic contents of the stomach come back up, the baby experiences a sour taste or burning sensation in the mouth. Of course, a baby is unable to tell you what he or she is feeling, but the behavior of the baby is often a dead giveaway.
Babies with acid reflux are often difficult to feed. Many times, the milk will be vomited back up once the baby reflux symptoms begin. This usually happens right after a feeding. Not only is this entire process painful for the baby, but it is very painful for parents to watch. Many times, babies that display this symptom experience weight loss which is always a cause for alarm.
It should be noted that not every baby that has acid reflux will display the common baby reflux symptoms. Sometimes babies only feel heartburn. While these babies won't have the weight loss issues, the condition is every bit as painful for the baby.
Any infant that is experiencing baby reflux symptoms will be in pain. It will take the efforts of calm parents, with understanding and sympathy, to get the babies to sleep at night.
If you have experienced heartburn, you can imagine what that tiny infant is feeling. If your baby is experiencing baby reflux symptoms, talking to his or her pediatrician may help. Talking to the parents of babies with acid reflux can also be helpful. You can also find information online that will help you help your baby deal with the painful baby reflux symptoms.