Reflux: How to Care for Your Child

Gastroesophageal reflux — also called reflux — is when food and acid from the stomach go back up into the esophagus. Reflux is normal and happens in healthy children. Changes in diet can help. Follow these instructions to care for your child.

• Check with your health care provider before giving your child any medicines.

• Help your child avoid:

  • caffeine (found in energy drinks, soda, and coffee)

  • spicy and fatty foods (such as hot sauce and French fries)

  • acidic foods and drinks (such as tomatoes and orange juice)

  • foods made with peppermint or chocolate

  • foods or drinks that make the reflux worse

  • drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes

• Encourage your child to eat smaller meals more often instead of three large meals.

• Avoid eating too close to bedtime. Lying down on a full stomach can make reflux worse.

• If your child is overweight, talk to your health care provider about how to help your child get to a healthy weight.

• Don't let anyone smoke near your child. It can make the reflux worse. If anyone in your house smokes, visit www.smokefree.gov for advice on quitting or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Your child:

• is very bothered by the reflux

• does not seem to be growing

• coughs, chokes, wheezes, or has trouble breathing

• vomits more than a few times in a 24-hour period

• has blood in the poop or vomit

Your child:

• Has severe chest pain.

What causes reflux? Reflux happens because a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus (the tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach) does not close all the way. This ring of muscle is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). If the LES does not close all the way, food and fluid from the stomach can come up the esophagus, into the back of the throat, and sometimes out the mouth or nose.

What are the signs of reflux? Kids with reflux may have no signs or they may have pain or burning in the upper chest. They may have the feeling of stomach acid coming up into the back of the throat or have a sour taste in the mouth. Other symptoms of reflux include spitting up or vomiting, stomach pain, and cough.

What is the difference between reflux and GERD? Reflux that causes problems like poor growth or damage to the esophagus is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is more serious than reflux and is usually treated with medicine.