What Are the Treatments for Infant Reflux

Many parents find infant acid reflux, often referred to as gastroesophageal reflux or GER, a nuisance because it involves frequent regurgitation throughout the day. This common infant ailment is usually no cause for concern and occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the baby's esophagus. It usually resolves without treatment by an infant's first birthday. There are a number of lifestyle modifications and treatments available to manage infant reflux symptoms, and these may minimize the cleanup necessary after a feeding.

Some slight modifications in eating patterns and routines can reduce the frequency and volume of acid reflux regurgitation, according to Colic Calm. Parents should remember to burp their baby repeatedly during each feeding while providing him with smaller but more frequent meals that are easier to digest. Mothers with strong breast milk flow should wait to let the baby latch until the initial flow has subsided.

Parents should keep their baby upright at a 45-degree angle for at least 30 minutes after each feeding to help her keep food down. When it is time for a baby to nap or sleep for the night, parents can elevate the head of the bed so that the baby remains resting at a near 45-degree angle.

Lactating mothers should avoid foods that can trigger or make reflux worse, according to Colic Calm. Common culprits can include dairy, citrus fruits and even carbonated beverages. Breast-feeding mothers should keep a daily record of food intake to determine any relationship between specific foods and infant reflux.

Babies who appear uncomfortable because of severe infant acid reflux and those whose reflux prevents proper weight gain may need medication. Pediatricians often prescribe infant doses of medications used to treat heartburn in adults, according to the Mayo Clinic. These can include H2 blockers like cimetidine or ranitidine, known as Tagamet and Zantac, respectively, that neutralize acid by targeting the histamine H2 receptors located in the mucous membrane layer of the stomach. Some doctors also prescribe proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole or lansoprazole, known as Prilosec and Prevacid, respectively, which block the production of acid altogether.

On rare occasions, a surgeon must tighten a baby's sphincter muscle to put a stop to acid reflux. Known as fundoplication, this surgical procedure is usually a last resort, used when GER is interfering with breathing or growth, according to the Mayo Clinic. While fundoplication can successfully eliminate infant reflux, it can cause complications such as frequent gagging during feedings.