Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) occurs during or after a meal when stomach contents go back into the tube (esophagus) that connects the mouth to the stomach.
This handout includes tips for parents on how to reduce spit up in infants, and how to reduce reflux in children and adolescents, and lists worrisome symptoms of GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) for each age group. It was developed by North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Foundation for Children’s Digestive Health and Nutrition in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Contents
Page 1: Spit Happens (0-24 months old) Reflux and Your Baby
GER is very common in infants. Most babies with GER are happy and healthy even though they spit up or vomit. Spitting up tends to peak at 4 months and most infants stop spitting up by 12 months of age. If your baby is spitting up without discomfort and is gaining weight appropriately, then there is probably no more evaluation or testing that is necessary.
Page 2: What's Up With My Kid's Stomach? (2-12 year olds) Reflux and Your Child
Most children are able to decrease their reflux with lifestyle and diet changes.
Page 2: Sick and Tired of Being Sick (13+ years) Reflux and Your Teen
Most teenagers are able to decrease their reflux with lifestyle and diet changes.
Click on the PDF icon at the top to view and print the full handout.
