10 baby reflux symptoms and how to treat it

What is reflux in babies?

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflex disease (GORD), is normal reflux that occurs among infants. Around half of babies experience this,⁵ so how do you know if your baby has acid reflux?

If a baby experiences complications that go beyond just spitting up small amounts milk – such as difficulty feeding and discomfort – he or she may have GORD. Here are the ten common baby reflux symptoms: ¹

1. Spitting up is one of the most common baby reflux symptoms. 
2. Arched back during or after eating
3. Crying more than three hours per day with no medical cause
4. Coughing
5. Gagging or difficulty swallowing
6. Irritability after eating
7. Poor eating or refusing to eat
8. Poor weight gain or weight loss
9. Trouble breathing
10. Forceful or frequent vomiting

Tip: If your child is spitting up milk after feedings, this could be due to a number of reasons, but there’s a good chance that it’s GORD. As babies mature, GORD usually goes away on its own with no intervention needed.

What causes reflux in babies?

So, we know that reflux is common – and we’ve explored the ten most common baby reflux symptoms – but what causes reflux in babies? 

• Infants don’t yet have a fully developed lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) – the muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus that opens and closes to allow food into the stomach and keep it there.
• This means food can easily slip back up the oesophagus.
  
  

So, put simply, GORD usually occurs when the LOS muscle becomes weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t, resulting in stomach contents resurfacing into the oesophagus. 

What is silent reflux in babies and how long does it last?

You now know about GORD and what causes reflux in babies, but did you know that’s not the only type of reflux your baby may face? Another type of reflux is silent reflux. So, what is silent reflux in infants? 

• Silent reflux is also referred to as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). 
• This is when the contents of a baby’s stomach flow backwards into the voice box, the back of the throat and the nasal passages. 
• This type of reflux doesn’t always cause outward symptoms, which is why it’s described as ‘silent’.
• It is possible for babies to experience GORD and silent reflux at the same time, but the two do have slightly different symptoms. 

Now you know what silent reflux is, how can you tell if your baby is suffering from this condition? Below are some of the symptoms of silent reflux in infants:²

1. Breathing problems
2. Gagging
3. Chronic coughing
4. Difficulty feeding
5. Spitting up
6. Poor weight gain or loss of weight

When should you contact a doctor about baby reflux symptoms?

Most of the time, GORD and silent reflux will go away on their own, but in some cases you may end up noticing an on-going case of reflux in your infant. Here’s when you should get in touch with a doctor if your baby has baby reflux symptoms:³

• Generally, babies outgrow silent reflux and other types in their first year. 
• If a baby appears to be showing persistent silent reflux symptoms beyond their first year, you should seek advice from a doctor.
• If a baby experiences forceful vomiting or blood in their stool, you should call 111 or organize an urgent appointment with your GP.