Gastroesophageal Reflux in InfantsSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants
Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when stomach contents leak backward from the stomach into the esophagus. This causes "spitting up" in infants.
Reflux - infants
When a person eats, food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus. The esophagus is called the food pipe or swallowing tube.
A ring of muscle fibers prevents food at the top of the stomach from moving up into the esophagus. These muscle fibers are called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. If this muscle does not close well, food can leak back into the esophagus. This is called gastroesophageal reflux.
A small amount of gastroesophageal reflux is normal in young infants. However, ongoing reflux with frequent vomiting can irritate the esophagus and make the infant fussy. Severe reflux that causes weight loss or breathing problems is not normal.
Symptoms may include:
- Cough, especially after eating
- Excessive crying as if in pain
- Excessive vomiting during the first few weeks of life; worse after eating
- Extremely forceful vomiting
- Not feeding well
- Refusing to eat
- Slow growth
- Weight loss
- Wheezing or other breathing problems
Often, no feeding changes are needed for infants who spit up, but are growing well and seem otherwise content.
Your provider may suggest simple changes to help the symptoms such as:
- Burp the baby after drinking 1 to 2 ounces (oz) or 30 to 60 milliliters (mL) of formula, or after feeding on each side if breastfeeding.
- Add 1 tablespoon (tbsp.) or 2.5 grams (g) of rice cereal to 2 oz or 60 mL of formula, milk, or expressed breast milk. If needed, change the nipple size or cut a small x in the nipple.
- Hold your baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding.
- Raise the head of the crib. However, your infant should still sleep on their back, unless your provider suggests otherwise.
When your infant begins to eat solid food, feeding thickened foods may help.
Medicines can be used to reduce acid or increase the movement of the intestines.
Annamaria Staiano practices practicing medicine in Naples, Italy. Ms. Staiano is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants. She is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants, Viral Gastroenteritis, Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC), Ileostomy, and Endoscopy.
Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
Yvan Vandenplas practices practicing medicine in Brussels, Belgium. Mr. Vandenplas is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants. He is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Diarrhea, Grass Allergy, and Endoscopy.
Marc Benninga practices practicing medicine in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Mr. Benninga is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants. He is also highly rated in 37 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC), Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Sacral Nerve Stimulation, and Endoscopy.
Most infants outgrow this condition. Rarely, reflux continues into childhood and causes esophageal damage.
Complications may include:
- Aspiration pneumonia caused by stomach contents passing into the lungs
- Irritation and swelling of the esophagus
- Scarring and narrowing of the esophagus
Contact your provider if your baby:
- Is vomiting forcefully and often
- Has other symptoms of reflux
- Has problems breathing after vomiting
- Is refusing food and losing or not gaining weight
- Is crying often
Summary: This is a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of the dietary supplement BioAmicus Complete (oral drops; a mixture of 10 strains of lacto- and bifidobacteria) in managing functional gastrointestinal disorders and cutaneous symptoms of food allergy in infants during the first months of life. The aim of the study is to assess clinical effects of BioAmicus Compl...
Summary: The goal of this investigator-initiated, single-center, randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to compare the effects of four weeks of three therapies on clinical and mechanistic outcomes based on pH-Imp testing using a three-arm parallel design in NICU infants with objective GERD diagnosis. The three therapies being compared are natural maturation, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, and added rice (A...
Published Date: July 01, 2025
Published By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Hibbs AM. Gastrointestinal reflux and motility in the neonate. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 86.
Khan S, Matta SKR. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 369.
Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM. Esophagus and stomach. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 128.