Reflux in infant and child | Health Navigator NZ

In babies, 'spilling' or 'spitting up' stomach contents is a normal process that helps to relieve an uncomfortably full stomach. While spilling is generally not considered a concern and doesn't need medical treatment, there are a few things you can do to cope with your baby's spilling.

On this page, you can find the following information:

What causes reflux?
When to see a doctor
Is my baby crying because of reflux?
How long does reflux last?
What are the treatment options for reflux?
When should I use feed thickeners and other medicines?
Tips for being prepared for spills

Key points

Up to 70% of health babies spill regularly with a peak around age 4 months. This is because their digestive system (gut) is not yet fully developed.
Most children outgrow spilling between 6 and 12 months. It generally improves as your baby becomes more upright, their diet becomes more solid and their gut function matures.
As long as your baby is healthy and growing normally, spilling should not be a cause for concern.
A more-severe form of reflux, known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), is rare. Symptoms of GORD include poor weight gain, feeding difficulties, severe restlessness and, sometimes, frequent spilling.
f you are concerned your baby may have GORD, see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

What causes reflux?

Reflux happens when stomach contents are released back up into the swallowing pipe (oesophagus).

There is a ring of muscle at the top of your stomach that should close when feeding stops.
In babies and young children this valve is underdeveloped and may not close properly. This causes food and digestive acids to leak back up from their stomach into the oesophagus.
Sometimes, but not always, milk spills out their mouth.
Reflux usually happens after feeding, but it can also occur when your baby cries, coughs or strains.

In some cases, reflux can be caused by something different:

Allergic reaction – an immune response to a food ingredient, most commonly cows' milk protein.
Reflux oesophagitis – inflammation of the oesophagus lining due to stomach acid leaking up (refluxing) from the stomach.
Eosinophilic oesophagitis – inflammation of the oesophagus lining due to build-up of white blood cells (eosinophils). This is usually caused by allergy to cows' milk protein.
Gut obstruction – a narrowing or blockage of the oesophagus or of the area between the small intestine and stomach (pyloric stenosis).

When to see a doctor

As long as your baby is healthy and growing normally, reflux should not be a cause for concern. It is different to vomiting because reflux or spilling is effortless, while vomiting is forceful. Read more about vomiting in children.

Contact your family doctor if your baby:

brings up a large amount of milk after most feeds
spits up forcefully (projectile vomiting)
spits up green or yellow fluid
is fussy and unhappy between feeds
arches their back or seems to be in pain after most feeds
is not gaining much or any weight
has breathing problems
starts vomiting at age 6 months or older.

Is my baby crying because of reflux?

Reflux is commonly blamed for causing irritability in babies. However, it is very normal for babies to wake frequently and cry lots, especially between about 2 to 8 weeks of age. Read more about how to cope with a crying baby.

How long does reflux last?

Reflux usually begins before babies are 8 weeks old and may continue until about 4 months of age.
Most babies get better before they are 12 months old, as their digestive system matures, they become more upright and their diet becomes more solid.
A few children still experience reflux after 12 months old.
If your toddler or older child has reflux and it is causing them distress, take them to see your family doctor.

What are the treatment options for reflux?

Reflux does not usually need any special tests or treatment. However, while your baby’s digestive system is still developing, there some things you can do to help with it.

Options	Details
Position	Avoid feeding your baby in a lying down position. Try to keep your baby’s head upright while feeding. After feeding, keep your baby upright for 30 minutes – usually over your shoulder. Avoid putting your baby in a car seat immediately after feeding because this can make reflux worse. Your baby needs to sleep on their back to prevent sudden unexplained death in infants (SUDI). Raise the head end of the cot slightly so your baby’s head is higher than their legs. Do this by putting thick books beneath the cot legs or a folded towel under the head end of the mattress (don't use a pillow with any baby less than 1 year old).
Feeding frequency	Give your baby smaller feeds more often, unless the feeds are already small and frequent.
Burping or winding	Burp or wind your baby a few times during each feeding. Do it when they pause and look around rather than interrupting their feeding rhythm. Only burp for a minute or less and stop even if your baby doesn't burp. Some babies don't need to burp.
Bottle-feeding	If your baby is formula-fed, consult your lead maternity carer, local Plunket nurse or doctor about changing to a hypoallergenic formula. The symptoms of cows' milk allergy or lactose intolerance can be very similar to the symptoms of reflux. A trial of at least 14 days is recommended before a diagnosis can be made. Try a different nipple (or teat) on the bottle. Some nipples cause your baby to swallow air while feeding.
Nappies	Avoid tight nappies and clothing around their tummy.
Smoking	Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke (second-hand smoke).

When should I use feed thickeners and other medicines?

If you have tried the suggestions above and nothing seems to be working, talk to your lead maternity carer, local well child provider or doctor. They may suggest other strategies.

They may also discuss the use of feed thickeners and other medicines to reduce the spilling, particularly if your baby also has significant pain or growth problems.

Feed thickener is added to baby formula with the idea that it makes the formula heavier and less likely to rise back up the oesophagus.
Medicine such as Infant Gaviscon works as an antacid (to neutralise stomach acids) and a thickener.
It can be given to breast-fed infants in place of thickened formula.
Medicine such as omeprazole may be considered for the small number of babies that have GORD.

Tips for being prepared for spills

Looking after a baby who's constantly spilling can be frustrating. Being prepared can help you manage the situation.

Place a towel or flannel over your shoulder when you are carrying your baby upright.
Dress your baby in vests and sleepsuits, as they're easy to wash.
Pick a special sofa or chair for when you're sitting with your baby, and cover it with a throw or sheet. Have a spare cover so you can wash one while using another.
Use a washable cover on your baby's car seat or pushchair. Again, have a spare so you can wash one and use one.
Pack extra sets of clothes for you and your baby. Also carry a a bag for soiled clothing.

Support

If you are coping with a baby who cries constantly and won't sleep, it's easy to feel overcome and exhausted. It can be helpful to get support for yourself and talk to others about managing your baby’s reflux from day to day.

Gastric Reflux Support Network NZ 800 380 517
Plunket 0800 933 922