How To Identify Silent Reflux In Babies
As a father I have cared for two children who suffered from baby acid reflux. My eldest child had a classic case of acid reflux and her symptoms included frequent spitting up in excessive amounts, weight loss and constant irritability. The acid reflux suffered by the younger of my two children was far harder to diagnose as she suffered from silent reflux. The symptoms of silent reflux in babies are far less visible that in normal acid reflux; the spitting up and weight loss is not present.
Common symptoms of silent reflux in babies include being overly fussy, crying frequently without visible cause, frequent fits of hiccups or coughing, loud gulps and a pain stricken expression. As a parent you know your baby better than anyone else and if you feel your baby s suffering you should not be afraid to take them to a doctor and express your concerns immediately. Often it is best to take the child to a paediatrician as they will have more experience in dealing with silent reflux in babies.
Nonetheless, some pediatricians can misdiagnosis silent reflux in babies as colic. What should you do if your paediatrician diagnoses your baby with colic but you are sure something else is going on? To make it easier to obtain a diagnosis from your doctor you should keep a record of the symptoms visible in your child (including when they happen in relation to feeds). You should take this information with you when you see the doctor, the more evidence you can provide the quicker your baby can be diagnosed and helped. If your doctor dismisses this evidence, or is still unsure, you should request an upper GI test for your baby.
Silent reflux in babies can be caused by a number of different factors and as such identifying an effective treatment for your baby will often be a case of trial and error. If your infant is put on a medication and you see no change in the symptoms and behaviour, ask your child's physician for other medication options. Keep in mind that silent reflux in babies is almost always outgrown before the baby's first birthday and that it is not linked to any other conditions.
About the Author
If your baby is suffering from silent reflux don't suffer in silence! Steve Phillips is a father who has been where you are now and offers advice on identifying silent reflux in babies and treating the condition. http://www.survivebabyreflux.com/silent-reflux-in-babies/
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