Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs It Normal for Infants to Spit Up?Reflux SymptomsChanging FormulaBest Formula for RefluxDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Is It Normal for Infants to Spit Up?
Reflux Symptoms
Changing Formula
Best Formula for Reflux
Diagnosis
Treatment
But before switching, be sure that you need to change. In some cases, switching may be necessary if your child has signs ofgastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD), such as weight loss and chronic coughing.
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Infant reflux, or the backflow of food from the stomach to theesophagus(feeding tube), is a perfectly normal situation that can affect formula-fed and breast-fed babies. Studies suggest that 50% of infants under 3 months spit up at least once daily after feeding.
Spitting up may be a problem if the child hassigns of gastroesophageal reflux diseaseor GERD. This occurs when acid reflux is persistent (chronic), causingheartburnand damage to the stomach and esophagus over time.
Other babies spit up due to formula intolerance. This happens when the lack of certain enzymes makes it hard to digest certain ingredients in infant formula.Lactose intoleranceis one such example in which exposure to lactose causes bloating, diarrhea, gas, nausea, and regurgitation.
Others still havemilk allergies, one of the more common food allergies in infants and babies. This can lead to stomach upset, diarrhea, cramping, and regurgitation.
Acid Reflux Symptoms
Signs of GERD in infants and babies include:
If a child is spitting up and has any of the symptoms noted above, take them to a pediatrician for a diagnosis and treatment.
Changing Formula for Reflux
If you’re going to try a different formula, then a hypoallergenic formula may be the best choice. Some studies have shown less vomiting in babies who changed to this type of formula.
GERD-specific formulas (sometimes marked with “AR” for acid reflux) can be helpful for babies with reflux.They may be an option if your child doesn’t have a milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance.
Is It Better to Breastfeed?Infant reflux affects about as many formula-fed babies as breastfed babies. However, formula-fed babies tend to have more frequent and long-lasting episodes, according to research published in the journalChildren.
Is It Better to Breastfeed?
Infant reflux affects about as many formula-fed babies as breastfed babies. However, formula-fed babies tend to have more frequent and long-lasting episodes, according to research published in the journalChildren.
How Eczema and Food Allergies Are Linked
Popular options include:
Diagnosing Reflux
Healthcare providers generally diagnose reflux based on the characteristic symptoms.
Treating Reflux
For babies with reflux and GERD, treatments can include lifestyle changes and reflux medications.
Lifestyle changesinclude:
Reflux medicationsinclude acid reducers such as:
Treating Reflux in Babies and Children
Summary
If they’re not gaining weight, are irritable, or have other GERD symptoms, they may need to be treated. Changing formulas can sometimes help, especially if you go to a hypoallergenic product or a formula designed for babies with reflux.
GERD is often diagnosed based on symptoms alone. Other tests may help rule out other causes of symptoms. Treatment includes simple changes to your feeding routine (such as positioning changes or feeding smaller amounts) and acid-reducing medications.
How to Treat Acid Reflux in Infants
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Czinn SJ, Blanchard S.Gastroesophageal reflux disease in neonates and infants : when and how to treat.Paediatr Drugs. 2013;15(1):19-27. doi:10.1007/s40272-012-0004-2MedlinePlus.Reflux in infants.National Institutes of Health.Lactose intolerance.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Milk and dairy.Rosen R, Vandenplas Y, Singendonk M, et al.Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux clinical practice guidelines: Joint recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.2018;66(3):516-554. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000001889Ramirez-Farias C, Baggs GE, Marriage BJ.Growth, tolerance, and compliance of infants fed an extensively hydrolyzed infant formula with added 2'-FL fucosyllactose (2'-FL) human milk oligosaccharide.Nutrients. 2021;13(1):186. doi:10.3390/nu13010186Pados BF, Feaster V.Effect of formula type and preparation on international dysphagia diet standardisation initiative thickness level and milk flow rates from bottle teats.Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2021;30(1):260-265. doi:10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00272Yourkavitch J, Zadrozny S, Flax VL.Reflux incidence among exclusively breast milk red infants: differences of feeding at breast versus pumped milk.Children (Basel).2016 Dec;3(4):18. doi:10.3390/children3040018National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of GER & GERD in infants.Yoo BG, Yang HK, Lee YJ, Byun SY, Kim HY, Park JH.Fundoplication in neonates and infants with primary gastroesophageal reflux.Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition. 2014;17(2):93-97. doi:10.5223/pghn.2014.17.2.93Food and Drug Administration.FDA Requests Removal of All Ranitidine Products (Zantac) from the Market.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Czinn SJ, Blanchard S.Gastroesophageal reflux disease in neonates and infants : when and how to treat.Paediatr Drugs. 2013;15(1):19-27. doi:10.1007/s40272-012-0004-2MedlinePlus.Reflux in infants.National Institutes of Health.Lactose intolerance.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Milk and dairy.Rosen R, Vandenplas Y, Singendonk M, et al.Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux clinical practice guidelines: Joint recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.2018;66(3):516-554. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000001889Ramirez-Farias C, Baggs GE, Marriage BJ.Growth, tolerance, and compliance of infants fed an extensively hydrolyzed infant formula with added 2'-FL fucosyllactose (2'-FL) human milk oligosaccharide.Nutrients. 2021;13(1):186. doi:10.3390/nu13010186Pados BF, Feaster V.Effect of formula type and preparation on international dysphagia diet standardisation initiative thickness level and milk flow rates from bottle teats.Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2021;30(1):260-265. doi:10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00272Yourkavitch J, Zadrozny S, Flax VL.Reflux incidence among exclusively breast milk red infants: differences of feeding at breast versus pumped milk.Children (Basel).2016 Dec;3(4):18. doi:10.3390/children3040018National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of GER & GERD in infants.Yoo BG, Yang HK, Lee YJ, Byun SY, Kim HY, Park JH.Fundoplication in neonates and infants with primary gastroesophageal reflux.Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition. 2014;17(2):93-97. doi:10.5223/pghn.2014.17.2.93Food and Drug Administration.FDA Requests Removal of All Ranitidine Products (Zantac) from the Market.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Czinn SJ, Blanchard S.Gastroesophageal reflux disease in neonates and infants : when and how to treat.Paediatr Drugs. 2013;15(1):19-27. doi:10.1007/s40272-012-0004-2MedlinePlus.Reflux in infants.National Institutes of Health.Lactose intolerance.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Milk and dairy.Rosen R, Vandenplas Y, Singendonk M, et al.Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux clinical practice guidelines: Joint recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.2018;66(3):516-554. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000001889Ramirez-Farias C, Baggs GE, Marriage BJ.Growth, tolerance, and compliance of infants fed an extensively hydrolyzed infant formula with added 2'-FL fucosyllactose (2'-FL) human milk oligosaccharide.Nutrients. 2021;13(1):186. doi:10.3390/nu13010186Pados BF, Feaster V.Effect of formula type and preparation on international dysphagia diet standardisation initiative thickness level and milk flow rates from bottle teats.Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2021;30(1):260-265. doi:10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00272Yourkavitch J, Zadrozny S, Flax VL.Reflux incidence among exclusively breast milk red infants: differences of feeding at breast versus pumped milk.Children (Basel).2016 Dec;3(4):18. doi:10.3390/children3040018National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of GER & GERD in infants.Yoo BG, Yang HK, Lee YJ, Byun SY, Kim HY, Park JH.Fundoplication in neonates and infants with primary gastroesophageal reflux.Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition. 2014;17(2):93-97. doi:10.5223/pghn.2014.17.2.93Food and Drug Administration.FDA Requests Removal of All Ranitidine Products (Zantac) from the Market.
Czinn SJ, Blanchard S.Gastroesophageal reflux disease in neonates and infants : when and how to treat.Paediatr Drugs. 2013;15(1):19-27. doi:10.1007/s40272-012-0004-2
MedlinePlus.Reflux in infants.
National Institutes of Health.Lactose intolerance.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Milk and dairy.
Rosen R, Vandenplas Y, Singendonk M, et al.Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux clinical practice guidelines: Joint recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.2018;66(3):516-554. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000001889
Ramirez-Farias C, Baggs GE, Marriage BJ.Growth, tolerance, and compliance of infants fed an extensively hydrolyzed infant formula with added 2'-FL fucosyllactose (2'-FL) human milk oligosaccharide.Nutrients. 2021;13(1):186. doi:10.3390/nu13010186
Pados BF, Feaster V.Effect of formula type and preparation on international dysphagia diet standardisation initiative thickness level and milk flow rates from bottle teats.Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2021;30(1):260-265. doi:10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00272
Yourkavitch J, Zadrozny S, Flax VL.Reflux incidence among exclusively breast milk red infants: differences of feeding at breast versus pumped milk.Children (Basel).2016 Dec;3(4):18. doi:10.3390/children3040018
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of GER & GERD in infants.
Yoo BG, Yang HK, Lee YJ, Byun SY, Kim HY, Park JH.Fundoplication in neonates and infants with primary gastroesophageal reflux.Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition. 2014;17(2):93-97. doi:10.5223/pghn.2014.17.2.93
Food and Drug Administration.FDA Requests Removal of All Ranitidine Products (Zantac) from the Market.
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