Signs of reflux in Babies

How Would I Know if My Baby Has Reflux?

Reflux is blamed for a lot of unsettled baby behaviour. In fact, reflux and colic are often attributed as being the main reasons for crying in otherwise healthy, thriving young babies.

Given that reflux is so common - most newborns experience reflux - why does it happen? The answer lies in gut immaturity. The sphincter at the end of the oesophagus (food pipe) should be tight to keep milk within the stomach. But in newborns this valve can be loose.

Eventually the tone of the sphincter improves so it works more efficiently; but in the meantime, acidic stomach contents easily ‘spill’ out of the stomach and back up the oesophagus. Sometimes this leads to vomiting or reswallowing the milk and food before it comes out of the baby’s mouth.

Premature babies are more likely to experience reflux than babies who are born at term.

Reflux (GOR) and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)

There is a Difference

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux (GOR), commonly known just as ‘reflux’ is the effortless regurgitation of stomach contents into the oesophagus (food pipe). The baby may or may not spill small amounts of milk out of their mouth.
Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) happens when reflux is impacting on the baby’s growth and weight gain. Complications of GORD can include respiratory signs, changes in feeding and the baby’s general well-being. Babies with GORD may need medication to help manage their symptoms.

Oops...

Babies with reflux may vomit or possit without any warning. One minute they seem fine and the next their chest and whoever’s holding them is covered in vomit. It’s easy to pick the parents of a baby with reflux as they often have white spills down their back.

Some babies with reflux bring up their milk with force and others seem to have more of a dripping tap style. Whichever category your baby fits into, know that you are not alone.

It’s estimated that around 70-85% of newborn babies will experience some regurgitation of their stomach contents within their first two months of life. And although this statistic is intended to be reassuring, it’s unlikely to make much difference to you, especially if all you feel you’re doing is holding and rocking your baby.

How Can I be Sure?

At what point is it fair to say with 100% certainty that a baby is refluxing? The truth is, reflux can be a difficult condition to diagnose. Even health practitioners can find it difficult to accurately diagnose reflux in a baby. Sometimes reflux is given as a ‘default’ reason for a baby’s crying.

The days of every baby having a prescription for reflux have passed. Now we have a better understanding of the normal physiology of a baby’s gut and know that in time, the majority of babies outgrow reflux. Importantly, most do not have any longstanding gut or health issues because of it.

Sometimes babies with reflux bring up milk when they burp, others at the end of a feed, while others wait until a couple of hours after they’ve fed to deposit a portion of their last feed.

Signs Your Baby May Have GOR or GORD

Frequent vomiting or positing. If you always need to make sure your baby is wearing a bib, their clothing frequently moist and you need to keep a cloth close by, your suspicions about reflux are probably spot on.
Seeing your baby reswallowing, back arching and looking like they are in pain. Though be mindful these are also symptoms of GORD. It’s said that babies experience similar feelings of indigestion and heartburn as adults when they’re refluxing. If your baby is behaving in a familiar way this can be a clue.
It’s fair to suspect reflux if your other children had reflux, and the new baby is showing the same signs and symptoms. You know your baby better than anyone else. Trust your own instincts and always follow your gut feeling about having them checked out.
Slow growth or weight loss because of vomiting. Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease is the condition where reflux is more severe and starting to compromise the baby’s growth.
Fussy feeding or even refusal to feed. Your baby may start sucking and then after a few minutes start pulling away, closing their mouth and crying. Some babies become agitated when they see the breast or bottle before feeding as they anticipate pain.
Bringing up small amount of milk when they burp. Positing is the formal name for these small spills. They’re not a large enough volume to describe as a vomit, more a 5-10ml spit up.
Changes in sleep and settling behaviour. Babies who reflux may settle to sleep easily but wake before they usually do. NB there are many causes for changes in sleeping patterns. In isolation of other symptoms, sleep changes are not a definitive diagnosis of reflux.
Smelly, acidic smelling vomit. Babies with reflux often have a particularly ‘sickly’ smell. They smell like sour milk and their clothing always needs changing.

Top Tips to Help Manage Your Baby’s Reflux

Keep your baby upright for 30 minutes after they’ve fed.
Plan not to place your baby into their car seat and go for a drive immediately after they’ve fed.
Avoid jiggling your baby and moving them vigorously after feeding. Wait a while to play the more active games you both enjoy.
Slow your baby’s feeds down. Aim for at least 30 minutes if formula-feeding, and even longer for breastfeeds.
Smaller amounts of milk, more often, may be better tolerated than larger volumes less frequently.
Understand that your baby’s reflux is not under your control. With time, most babies outgrow refluxing behaviour and their digestion matures to the point where reflux has resolved. In the meantime, managing their symptoms with changes of position can make a big difference.

Remember

Always speak and check with a qualified nurse or healthcare professional about your baby to understand what your baby’s individual needs are, especially if you are ever concerned about your baby's well being.