What is silent reflux? Does your baby has silent reflux? If yes what can you do about it? Well this questions may be evolving around the new moms!! Don’t be stress out.
Silent reflux in babies is nothing but a type of reflux in which stomach content flow backward into the larynx which is back of throat and nasal passages.
In this article you will find to have a brief information about what is silent reflux with its ways to get rid of silent reflux in babies.
What Is Silent Reflux In Babies?
Silent reflux is also known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Silent reflux in babies is nothing but a type of reflux in which stomach content flow backward into the larynx which is back of throat and nasal passages.
Silent reflux is a condition in which stomach acid causes throat discomfort, especially behind the breastbone in the middle of the trunk. It is more common in babies especially around the newborn. It is treatable (R) even it get serious.
The content of the stomach include acids which may contact with the food pipe and vocal chords, irritation, discomfort and burning can occur in some case.
One of the main difference between to figure out the reflux and silent reflux is that the baby doesn’t vomit or split milk back in silent reflux baby. This creates an internal discomfort especially behind the breastbone of the babies.
What Causes Silent Reflux In Babies?
Well it is founded as per the research that the burp a baby with a silent reflux is due to under-develop digestive system of the babies. This is because of the baby lies most of their time lying down that as a result makes the enzymes and stomach acid to travel back up.
Another reasons of causing silent reflux in babies is due to underdeveloped of esophageal sphincter muscles at birth of the babies. This are responsible for open and close that allows for the passage of fluid and food.
There are some studies which proves that baby may also be at an increased risk for silent reflux if they:
- are born with a hiatal hernia
- have a neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy
- have a family history of reflux
Sign And Symptoms Of Silent Reflux In Babies:
In babies and young children, typical signs and symptoms include
- breathing problems, such as wheezing, noisy breathing, apnea
- gagging
- nasal congestion
- chronic coughing or hiccuping
- chronic respiratory conditions (such as bronchitis) and ear infections
- difficulty breathing
- difficulty feeding
- spitting up
- failure to thrive
- Vomiting
- A sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Aspiration or inhaling food and other particles into the lungs.
- Not gaining weight
- Irritability and crying
- Belly discomfort
- Sleeping issue
- Refusal to feed
How to Diagnosis Silent Reflux In Babies?
The babies with symptoms of silent reflux or LPR need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Silent reflux can have serious health consequences too in case of certain babies.
There are few of the ways that helps the doctor to figure out or diagnosis the presence of silent reflux in babies, such as-
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Ultrasound:
This is one of way to detect silent reflux in babies as it is a imaging test which can detect pyloric stenosis.
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Lab tests:
In lab test through the blood and urine tests the doctor could find out the causes of recurring vomiting and poor weight gain.
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Esophageal pH monitoring:
To measure the acidity in your baby’s esophagus, the doctor will insert a thin tube through the baby’s nose or mouth and into the esophagus. The tube is attached to a device that monitors acidity.this will determine the presence of silent reflux.
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X-rays:
These images can detect abnormalities in the digestive tract, such as an obstruction ans can able to find silent reflux baby symptoms. In this the baby may be given a contrast liquid (barium) from a bottle before the test.
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Upper Endoscopy:
A special tube is equipped with a camera lens and light (endoscope) is passed through your baby’s mouth and into the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine. Tissue samples may be taken for analysis. The process of endoscopy is usually done under general anesthesia for the babies and children.
How to Treat Silent Reflux In Babies?
There are various home or natural remedies for silent reflux that you can opt in order to get rid of silent reflux in babies. These are as follows-
Check Out These Home Remedies For Silent Reflux In Babies
1. Gentle Movement:
This is an amazing way of treatment for silent reflux in babies. Putting the baby in the sling and gentle moving them so that it will help them to relax and feel comfortable from the stomach pain. Make sure you keep them upright in position.
2. Eat Small, Frequent Meal:
As I mentioned above that eating too much food places increased pressure on the stomach and can cause acid to be pushed up into the esophagus. So in order to treat silent reflux in babies naturally you have to divide the daily intake of your baby into smaller portions and eating more frequently can help to avoid overeating and prevent silent reflux in babies.
3. Eat More Fiber Food:
The dietary fiber comes with many benefits to health of a baby from increasing satiety to promoting regularity. Fiber act as an important element in a human bodies as it moves through the gastrointestinal tract undigested, which as a result helps to keep the full and improving digestive health of the babies. So the baby diet should mostly contain fiber content food.
Some studies have found that increasing the fiber intake could fight against silent reflux in babies as well as in adults. In fact, a 2004 study published in Gut noted that dietary fiber was found to be protective against reflux. (R)
4. Avoid Tight Fitting Clothing:
It’s one of the easiest silent reflux natural remedies.Wearing tight clothing can increase the pressure on thew baby stomach and push the stomach acid up,which causing reflux. Always make sure you should wear loose clothing to your baby especially when you feed them and avoid tight fitting clothing.
5. Relax And Have Quite Time:
After a feeding to your baby you should try to make relax and have a quiet time for the baby as it will help the baby to settle down with food . This is especially important for formula fed babies as it is digested at a slower rate than breastmilk so they might need longer to settle. By this the digestive system will be in right track of the baby.
6. Baby Massage:
Baby massage helps a lot to get rid of silent reflux in babies. It improves a lot in the colic movement of the baby. As per NCT baby massage has several benefits :-
- Becoming more confident in handling their child and better at recognising their needs.
- Improved positive interaction with their baby.
- A great way for partners, family members and carers to bond with baby.
- Improved sleep for their baby.
7. Burping:
Here comes with another home remedies in case of treatment for silent reflux in babies. If the babies are bottle feeding then you can burp a baby hence after it. This will help the baby to release the gas at that moment itself. The burp a baby will help a lot for the silent reflux.
8. Sleeping On Their side:
As the baby is old enough to roll over, it is safe and comfortable to sleep on their side which might help with the symptoms of reflux. But make sure you do not put the baby on their side unless you are sure they do have the ability to roll.
9. Avoid Cow Milk:
One of the natural remedies for silent reflux in babies is to avoid cow milk. As cow milk is one of the reason for causing silent reflux in babies. Some babies are allergic to cow milks also. You can feed the baby with breast milk or formula milk.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar:
This works great as treat silent reflux in babies naturally. The presence of antioxidant in ACV makes it great with respect to get rid of silent reflux in babies. That only will make the baby to stop feeling any discomfort. Mixing a table spoon of raw unfiltered vinegar with warm water, and give this mixture to your baby.
11. Motion Exercise:
A small amount of motion exercises helps a lot to the baby to stimulate the digestive process. It also take care of any gas or bloating inside the stomach of the baby. In this the best way is to let your baby lie down flat and move his legs as if he was riding a bicycle. Do not do this right after feeding or at least half an hour prior to feeding the baby. This is generally work a lot for the silent reflux in babies.
How Long Does Silent Reflux Last In Babies?
Silent reflux is common in babies and in most cases it may get okay by the time your baby turns one. The silent Reflux is seen in about one in five. It is estimated that up to 50 percent (R) of infants experience reflux within the first three months of life.
When to See Doctor?
It is common in most babies to thrive despite silent reflux. But for some babies they do seek medical attention. Those symptoms shows as-
- breathing difficulties
- a frequent cough
- persistent ear pain
- feeding difficulty
- Difficulty in gaining weight or has unexplained weight loss
- Refuse to feed and use a pacifier
- appears irritable or cranky during or after the feeding sessions.
- baby’s vomit appears greenish, yellowish or has blood in it.
Reflux, including silent reflux, is extremely common in babies. I hope this article has provided you a good amount of information and knowledge about the silent reflux in babies. Do follows this home remedies for your babies first as mention in the article, if it does not get cure then do refer to a doctor
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