A baby with reflux will not necessarily display all of the below symptoms and it’s important to know, the number of signs exhibited does not indicate the severity of their reflux.
If you suspect your baby or child may have gastro-oesophageal reflux, it is important to discuss this with your child’s doctor or child health midwife. Gastro-oesophageal reflux may not always be the cause of these signs and symptoms, and healthy children can have reflux at times, without needing treatment.
- Irritability/crying/high pitched screaming vomiting/regurgitating, wet burp posset
- Appearing to be in pain e.g. back arching, repeated hiccups/hoarse crying voice, gagging/spluttering
- Feeding problems – breast refusal, short frequent feeds, repetitive comfort sucking, pulling away and arching their back, crying/screaming during or after feeds
- Sleeping issues – catnapping, difficulty settling, frequent night waking (though some children who have reflux do sleep well at night), restless or easily disturbed from sleep
- Respiratory issues – choking, wheezing/coughing, recurrent chest infections
- Weight issues e.g. inadequate weight gain, weight loss, or huge weight gains
- Recurrent ear, throat or sinus infections, congestion, being ‘snuffly’ or cold like symptoms on and off
- Excessive drooling. Of course this on it’s own should not cause major concern
Reference: https://www.reflux.org.au/
See reflux facts sheets on the above site
Written by: Alison Gregory Endorsed Midwife, Parenting Educator, Sleep and Lactation Consultant.
Photo by Katie Smith on Unsplash