Dear mothers,
It cannot be put into words how important your baby’s health is to you. After birth, proper nutrition, good sleep, ideal weight gain and healthy development are enough for you to be happy. However, while some babies get through this period without any problems, it may be a little painful for others.
The fact that newborn babies are mostly kept in a lying position and fed with more liquid foods than adults, and their muscle structure in the junction of the esophagus and stomach is not yet well developed causes some babies to vomit immediately after feeding. While this usually resolves spontaneously with the baby’s development, it may require a course of treatment in rare cases, depending on the type and frequency of the vomiting and whether the baby has a disease. 1,2
References:
nostalji.semaaydogdu.com/metinler/CocuklardaRefluKitap.doc
Prof. Dr. Hasan Yüksel, Çocuklarda Reflü Hastalığının Sıklığı, Bulguları, Teşhis ve Tedavisi, http://www.populermedikal.com/cocuk/cocukgor4.asp
What is Reflux?
Reflux can be briefly defined as “backward leak”. Normally, after the food passes from the esophagus to the stomach, it should not leak back to the esophagus, but this system is disrupted in babies with reflux.
In these babies, stomach contents (ingested food and stomach acid) involuntarily leak back into the esophagus.
Reflux may occur in the first two months, depending on the development of the baby, within the first hour after feeding and at the beginning of sleep. 1
Babies with reflux usually vomit more content than they eat. This is not always considered to be a disease, it is rather physiological. It resolves spontaneously as the baby gets older and starts walking as well as with transition to solid foods in their diet. 1
Vomiting and regurgitation in babies are two different conditions.
Vomiting is the involuntary and more or less forceful expulsion of stomach contents from the mouth with a feeling of nausea. 1
Regurgitation is the unforced flow of stomach contents into or out of the mouth, which is frequently observed in babies and considered as normal. 1
References:
1.nostalji.semaaydogdu.com/metinler/CocuklardaRefluKitap.doc
Symptoms of Reflux
As the main symptoms of reflux, regurgitation and vomiting are more common in babies and expected to relieve in the 12th to 24th months.1 The majority of breastfed babies vomit in their first month, especially due to their functional deficiencies.1
As they cannot communicate verbally, babies express their discomfort in the following ways:
Lack of appetite
Sleeplessness
Extreme restlessness
Inconsolable crying
However, the symptoms that indicate the start of the disease are different:
Weight loss
Wheezing
Hoarseness
Sore throat
If there is a noticeable increase in the frequency and duration of the vomiting, it may develop into reflux.
You should definitely consult your doctor about this situation.1,2
References:
Aydoğdu, S., Bebeklerde ve Çocuklarda Gastroözofageal Reflü ve Hastalığı, Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, http://semaaydogdu.com/static/upload/akademik/filescocuklarda-reflu-has_130310014820.pdf/
nostalji.semaaydogdu.com/metinler/CocuklardaRefluKitap.doc
