heartburn in children

Distinguishing between normal, physiologic reflux and heartburn in children is important. Most infants with GER are happy and healthy even if they frequently spit up or vomit, and babies usually outgrow GER by their first birthday. Reflux that continues past 1 year of age may be GERD.

Common heartburn in children

Studies show heartburn in children is common and may be overlooked in infants and children. For example, GERD can present as repeated regurgitation, nausea, heartburn, coughing, laryngitis, or respiratory problems like wheezing, asthma, or pneumonia. Infants and young children may demonstrate irritability or arching of the back, often during or immediately after feedings. Infants with GERD may refuse to feed and experience poor growth.

Talk with your child’s health care provider if reflux-related symptoms occur regularly and cause your child discomfort. Your health care provider may recommend simple strategies for avoiding heartburn in children, such as burping the infant several times during feeding or keeping the infant in an upright position for 30 minutes after feeding.

heartburn in children: dietary recommendations

If your child is older, your health care provider may recommend that your child eat small, frequent meals and avoid the following foods:

Sodas that contain caffeine
Chocolate
Peppermint
Spicy foods
Acidic foods like oranges, tomatoes, and pizza
Fried and fatty foods

Heartburn in children may be helped by avoiding food 2 to 3 hours before bed may also help. Your health care provider may recommend raising the head of your child’s bed with wood blocks secured under the bedposts. Just using extra pillows will not help.

If these changes do not work, your health care provider may prescribe medicine for your child. In rare cases, a child may need surgery.