Do you think you have a baby that's hard to feed due to excessive spitting up and projectile vomiting? While some of this is normal, others have acid reflux disease-a condition where there is a weakened muscle in the lower esophagus that causes food and acid to build up in the esophagus and come out of the mouth at times. If severe, acid reflux in infants can cause malnutrition and slow growth in the infant.

Acid reflux in infants causes pain or discomfort in the baby because the acid irritates and inflames the esophagus. It can cause inflammation in the baby's throat or ears as well. Acid reflux in babies can cause an increase in ear infections. In any situation where there is increased pressure in the abdomen, such as after a big meal of formula, acid reflux can occur.

The most obvious symptoms infants with GERD gave are weight loss, frequent vomiting, excessive drooling, swallowing difficulties, hoarse voice, aversion to food and recurrent otitis media.

There can be subtle symptoms of acid reflux in infants. Some infants may not throw up at all but will swallow down the acid anyway. This could still cause an inflamed, irritated, esophagus which could hurt the child or cause damage to the esophagus. Doctors use a pH probe down the inside the esophagus to see what the acidity is like in the lower parts of the esophagus.

The diagnosis of acid reflux in infants can be done in number of ways. The baby can be asked to drink barium and the X-Ray can note if the barium (which shows up on X-Ray) comes back up inside the esophagus. In such a situation, the baby can be laid down to see what happens or can have the X-Ray at an angle to see if reflux occurs during that time as well. In addition, a radioactive substance can be swallowed that can tell the frequency of acid reflux.

One of the best cures for acid reflux involves thickening the formula so it stays inside the stomach longer. The formula can be thickened with cereal or gelatin. The primary caregiver must not lay the infant down shortly after eating, especially when the stomach is definitely full. Even a diaper change after feeding can lead to reflux. Try to feed your child frequent small feedings, which can take the pressure off the stomach.

There are medications a doctor can prescribe that can reduce the irritation of the esophagus, even if the stomach contents reflux back up to the esophagus. The medications take the acidity out of the fluid but won't necessarily prevent the vomiting unless another medication is used. If a mother is able to breastfeed, this will also reduce the incidence of weight loss and other symptoms of acid reflux. Not only that, breast milk doesn't cause constipation as do regular infant formulas.

If you think you your child has the symptoms of acid reflux in babies, see your pediatrician for possible testing and the taking of medications that can that can help control the symptoms and can improve your child's weight and frequency of vomiting. The irritation will lessen and erosion of the esophagus can be avoided.