Baby Heartburn? Who Knew!

When I gave birth to my second child, it was as routine as could be expected, and we both went home healthy and happy. He was bottle-fed, seemed to be eating regularly, but was spitting up a great deal and having a little trouble sleeping. The sleeping issue was really of no great concern to me, especially when I considered my first child, who was never a good sleeper. What did concern me was the spitting up. It wasn’t just a little bit. Most often, it was a lot. We were going through five and six outfits a day, and he would often vomit in his sleep. It made it difficult to know how much milk he was really getting, and the fact that something else could be wrong was cause for more concern. Initially, his pediatrician was out of town on vacation and the acting pediatrician told me to try a new formula, and see if it helped. By six weeks of age however, it hadn’t. But my concerns were about to be validated.At The Six Week Checkup

During his six-week checkup with his own pediatrician back in charge, she reviewed his chart and the notes, which had been made after each and every one of my phone calls to her office. I recounted the vomiting episodes to her—specifically the most recent episode, just the day before. When he had spit up on the stark white burp cloth draped over my shoulder, it was tinged with blood. Then she noticed what he would do with his tiny tongue. He would thrust his tongue half way out of his mouth as if he were gagging, or had just tasted something really bad. She asked if he did that often. When I told her that he did, she decided he might have gastroesophageal reflux (GER). I, of course, had no idea an infant could suffer the same condition common in adults, or the same symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, and burping or hiccoughing that produces small amounts of bile. The Children’s Medical Center of Virginia University published a study that says the term GER “describes splashing or pushing of stomach contents backwards up into the esophagus, and sometimes, out the mouth”.What Causes Baby Heartburn?

Fortunately, the condition is not a serious medical one. In infants, it is most often caused by the simple fact that their digestive system is not fully developed, and therefore uncoordinated. They typically outgrow the problem by age two, at the latest. What is important, however, is getting them comfortably through the first year or two. One of the methods, and definitely the least intrusive, used to diagnose GER is an Upper GI. A baby is given a bottle of barium to drink, while the x-ray follows the liquid down the esophagus and into the stomach. Research indicates that this is not always the best method for determining the certainty or severity of the condition, but in my son’s case, it told them enough. What is a Parent To Do?

With the results of his test indicating that he was, in fact, suffering from GER, and that it was the cause of his blood tinged spit-up, we were given a prescription. I also had switched him to a rice formula, and is a thicker, heavier milk that may have been easier to keep down. The combination of those two measures led to a much happier, well-rested baby. In fact, I noticed an improved difference within the first couple of days. He is otherwise a healthy two-and-a-half year old today, and hasn’t had an episode of vomiting related to GER in over a year. Call Your Child's Doctor

The simple fact that it is impossible for an infant to communicate any specific discomfort or pain is the whole reason parents become so concerned when something doesn’t seem “right”. The numerous varied opinions of physicians and child-rearing experts aid to confuse and cloud our own instincts at times. We may not act on a concern out of fear of seeming over-protective, worrisome or just plain dumb—but the fact is that no one knows your baby as well as you, and a good pediatrician will respect each and every one of your concerns, no matter how minor. If you think your baby is spitting up excessively, and doesn’t seem to be content in any position, address your concerns with your child’s doctor. Be prepared to be more specific than “he’s fussy and spits up a lot”, or you may receive the blanket explanation of colic. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat GER. It’s not serious, and there is relief—not only for your baby, but for you as well.

Related Articles:
Dr. Christine Wood: My Daughter has Reflux, How Can We help her?
Colic in the Breastfed Baby
Does Your Baby Have Colic?

About the Author: Jennifer is a freelance writer from Ohio, writing for multiple websites and radio. She has a background in cosmetology, salon management, and business administration. She is a married mother of two terrific boys, and one lazy golden retriever.

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