Regurgitation in babies

Regurgitation is the passage of gastric contents (usually food) to the pharynx or mouth without effort or nausea. Sometimes it is expelled with force, so it can be confused with vomiting. Other times it stays in the esophagus and produces irritability or unrest in the baby . It occurs frequently in

Regurgitation is the passage of gastric contents (usually food) to the pharynx or mouth without effort or nausea. Sometimes it is expelled with force, so it can be confused with vomiting. Other times it stays in the esophagus and produces irritability or unrest in the baby. It occurs frequently in children under 3 months with spontaneous resolution at 12-14 months. 67% of healthy 4-month-old infants have regurgitation more than once a day.

Gastroesophageal reflux in babies

In general, these episodes of reflux do not cause problems in children, but in some children it causes symptoms and health problems. In this case it is the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Regurgitations are more frequent after taking, and especially if the child is lying down, because the gastric content goes to the mouth without difficulty. Children with reflux tend to digest more slowly than others, so they can regurgitate foods that they have ingested several hours before.

Why babies regurgitate

Regurgitations are common and benign, the child's weight and height curve should not be affected by this problem. After 6 months the clinic disappears, since solid foods are introduced into the diet.

Some factors peculiar to the pediatric age make children more predisposed to have regurgitations. Due to immaturity, for example, they take longer to empty the stomach, and the lower esophageal sphincter is weaker. In addition, the baby spends a lot of time lying down (in the supine position) and this favors the content of the stomach to move towards the mouth. As the baby grows all these mechanisms mature, and that's why the regurgitations are decreasing in frequency and quantity.

When we should worry about reflux

If the child is calm, happy, eats well and gains weight properly, there is no need to worry. On the other hand, if the child is irritable, restless, stops eating, or on the contrary is very anxious, does not gain weight correctly, the vomiting is greenish or bloody, or with nausea or exertion, you should consult the pediatrician.

What can we do to reduce regurgitation?

If the child is well it is not usually necessary to treat with medication, since the reflux decreases until disappearing in a few months.

To reduce the frequency or amount of regurgitation, it is best to acos not put him to bed immediately after eating and have him a little time . It is also important to feed the baby calmly, without rushing, without letting the baby get anxious and swallowing very quickly, as it favors the accumulation of gases and this favors regurgitation.Some pediatricians recommend anti-regurgitation formulas, which are a little thicker than usual and generally more caloric, so they are recommended especially if the weight gain is not adequate. In cases where it has an impact on the health of the baby (what is known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), pediatricians will prescribe drugs to improve symptoms.