As parents most of have been in this situation, looking for a clean shirt because your baby spits up all over, especially fun if you happen to be out shopping or running errands. There is a time when your baby's spitting up can be excessive and worrisome.
Several issues can cause your baby to spit up, but as a parent when should you be concerned? When it moves past normal baby spitting up, it could be baby silent reflux, and if left unchecked it can lead to more significant issues. There are home remedies to help relieve your baby’s tummy to help avoid these issues.
What is Silent Reflux in Babies?
Baby silent reflux, or Laryngopharyngeal reflux results from your baby’s stomach acid backing up into his esophagus. Babies have several factors that can attribute to an increased risk for silent reflux.
Similar to GERD or gastroesophageal reflux, the symptoms can be different and can be difficult to diagnose especially in babies but are very common.
What Causes Silent Reflux?
1. Underdeveloped Muscle
Babies can be born with a weak esophagus muscle which usually is not something to be overly concerned about unless it leads to excessive spitting up or, in my son's case, projectile vomiting.
When your house is a scene from a horror film, it could be the sphincter muscle not working correctly allows stomach acid to back up in the esophagus and inflammation.
2. Shorter Esophagus
Many babies are born with a shorter esophagus which usually self-corrects as they get a little older. However, a short esophagus can allow stomach acid to back up into your baby’s throat which can cause excessive spitting up.
It can also cause some swelling in the esophagus which is why it is important to take preventative measures if you feel like this might be happening your little one.
3. Excessive Amount of Time Laying Down
Like most new parents we spend a lot of time holding our baby. The funny part is the parents used to get told not to hold their baby so much. Then we were told to hold them more. There is no right or wrong answer, what’s right for you is what you want.
The reason I bring this up is part of what can increase silent reflux in babies is because he spends so much time laying down. Like in adults, if you have had acid reflux if you spend more time lying down you will notice more symptoms or severity of symptoms. This same thing happens with your baby.
There are some budget-friendly accessories to help elevate your little one to avoid this problem. Crib wedge is just that a wedge-shaped pillow to put in your baby’s crib that lifts his head, so he’s not lying flat. There are head shaping pillows that are intended to help keep the baby’s head in a particular position but also elevate the upper body. It works just as well.
Another trick is to use folded blankets UNDER mattress in your baby’s crib or bassinet on the side where his head is at. I used this method since there was not a baby wedge when my boys were little.
How Do I Know if My Baby Has Silent Reflux?
Baby silent reflux has several indicators that as a parent you can watch for in addition to spitting up excessively. If your baby is spitting up more than regular plus has one or more of these symptoms, it could mean there is something more severe starting, time to consult a doctor. These additional symptoms are:
- Hoarseness and chronic cough
- Inhaling food
- Irritable after eating
- Noisy or restless breathing
- Refusal to eat
- Asthma
- Apnea
Potential Problems Silent Reflux Can Cause
Silent reflux in babies can compound becoming a more pressing issue if not managed.
Baby silent reflux is stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. It causes inflammation, irritation, and future problematic issues such as:
- Narrowing of the area below the vocal cords
- Contact ulcer, which happens on the lower portion of the vocal cord
- Reoccurring ear infections with an additional build-up from eustachian tube function
- Build up in middle ear fluid, which can lead to further ear infections or problems with your babies hearing
If you feel like there is something more serious I recommend you speak to your baby's pediatrician for guidance.
How Do You Get Your Baby Diagnosed?
The last thing any parent wants is to find their baby is in pain from something that every baby does. However, silent reflux has many less intrusive diagnostic tools to help you get answers quickly, to get your baby feeling better soon hopefully.
Prepare yourself; your doctor may ask you to complete more than one of these tests to diagnose your baby accurately.
Ultrasound - An ultrasound is used to determine signs of inflammation, which could be a sign acid is consistently present in the esophagus and throat. It is also one of the more baby-friendly diagnostic tools; I know parents are always excited to hear about less intrusive tests.
Blood and Urine test - This test blood or urine is collected and tested to rule out any other medical conditions, such as anemia or an infection.
Esophageal PH Monitoring - Is a 24-hour test where a small catheter is placed in your babies noses, then goes down to the throat. It detects acid in the nose, throat, and esophagus it connects to a monitor worn for 24 hours.
Upper GI - Is a gastrointestinal test requiring your baby drink barium a couple of hours before an x-ray is completed which is used to identify any abnormalities in the esophagus.
Endoscopy - Last, and hopefully least of all since this is a test most adults dread. Endoscopy is where a tube which has a camera connected at the end, pictures of the throat down to the stomach. Pictures are used to identify abnormalities in the esophagus.
Home Remedies and Other Remedies
If you feel your baby suffers from silent reflux, there are many options to offer some relief to your little one that is far less intrusive than the tests mentioned. Making small changes in your baby's routine can make a big difference, such as:
- Feeding your baby smaller and more frequently, keeps the stomach from becoming overfull.
- After feeding or nursing burp your baby, also, one to two hours after feeding burp again.
There are many items you can purchase that will help reduce your babies symptoms; most are easy to find either in-store or online and fit any budget.
- Keep your baby more vertical position during and after feeding with a baby lounger, cradles your baby keeping his head above his bottom.
- Use a feeding pillow during bottle feeding or nursing, keeping your baby more vertical while feeding reduces reflux symptoms and discomfort. Plus, it is heaven on your arms!
- Carry your baby in a baby wrap or baby sling after feeding; it puts your baby in a vertical position after feeding to reduce some symptoms of baby silent reflux. Slings and wraps are great at reducing discomfort as well.
The last thing any parent wants is to give their precious baby medicine. However, it can be what is needed to alleviate the symptoms that could cause more serious issues in the future. I recommend always check with your baby's pediatrician before administering the medicine like:
- Mylicon - Over the counter medication for infant gas relief
- Gaviscon - OTC medication for infant reflux relief
- Omeprazole - prescription medication for infant reflux relief (for adults OTC)
There are homeopathic solutions you can try as well if your baby is showing signs of silent reflux. Simple changes that can make a significant impact, such as:
- Changes to Mommy’s diet by omitting one or all of these: dairy, beef, and eggs.
- Infant probiotics mixed with breastmilk or formula. Probiotics help break down milk in baby’s stomach reducing the chance for spitting up.
As a last resort extreme cases can sometimes require surgery, but like any surgery, there are so many alternatives to try first.
In the End
Knowing the difference between what is normal and what is not when your a parent seems like an endless battle of a second-guessing. Especially, if it is your first baby something that seems simple like your baby spitting up can become more dangerous.
Your baby is exceptional, and silent reflux can be painful for him. If you feel like your baby has symptoms, it is okay to check with your doctor for guidance.
