Reflux - the facts

But for some mums, whose babies suffer from a painful and often undiagnosed health condition, feeding time is anything but calm and enjoyable.

If you have a sicky baby who struggles with eating and sleeping, a hidden health condition could be to blame.

Reflux is caused when a weak valve at the top of the baby's stomach allows their feed, along with gastric acid, to come back up, causing symptoms including heartburn and vomiting.

All babies are born with this weak valve, which matures as they grow. Most babies will only ever experience mild reflux symptoms - simply a bit of 'spit-up', which is normal.

However, babies who are more severely affected by reflux are likely to show some, or all, of these symptoms:

• Excessive or projectile vomiting

• Persistent coughing or gagging

• Arching their back or being agitated during feeds

• Screaming or crying, as if in pain

• Losing or not gaining weight

• Refusing feeds or only managing small amounts at a time.

If you think your baby is showing any of these signs, see your GP rather than attempting to diagnose it because the symptoms could also be caused by other medical problems, stresses Prima Baby expert GP Rob Hicks.

---

For info and advice, call The Baby Care Advice Line, run by maternity nurse and babycare consultant Alison Scott-Wright: 0800 032 6026.

Living with Reflux is a support group set up to help parents with babies who have reflux: http://www.livingwithreflux.org

Start a discussion :: Print this article ::