Herbal Supplements for Acid Reflux in Babies
Overview
You may have heard that spitting up is a sign of acid reflux in your baby, and if you’re interested in trying to avoid pharmaceutical treatments, might want to try to use herbal remedies. Acid reflux can be hard to diagnose, however, and there aren’t herbal treatments known to be effective in infants.
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is common in both adults and babies. It’s the result a loose cardiac sphincter, a ring of muscle that normally prevents acid from leaving the stomach and entering the esophagus. If you have acid reflux, you experience the sensation of heartburn or pressure in the chest. While adults generally treat the condition with antacids or pharmaceuticals, these aren’t necessarily appropriate for infants.
Acid Reflux in Babies
Particularly common in premature babies, who have especially underdeveloped gastrointestinal systems, acid reflux in infants is the result of a weak cardiac sphincter that will tighten up with time. Almost all babies spit up occasionally after eating, but in some, stomach acid accompanies the spit-up and leads to discomfort. If your baby spits up and appears uncomfortable after eating, talk to your pediatrician about whether your baby might have acid reflux.
Herbals
There aren’t any herbal remedies that have been proved safe and effective for use in babies for acid reflux. While it may seem as though herbs are a safe alternative to pharmaceuticals, they’re actually regulated differently by the FDA, and don’t have to meet the rigorous safety standards to which pharmaceuticals are held. In fact, manufacturers don’t have to prove that herbals are either safe or effective before marketing them, meaning you may want to avoid herbals unless you’ve talked to your doctor first.
Treatments
The best treatment for acid reflux in babies is time — as your baby’s digestive tract matures, the acid reflux will resolve. In the meantime, you can try to keep your baby more upright during feedings and maintain the upright position for half an hour afterward to allow gravity to help keep acid in the stomach. For very severe cases of acid reflux in infants, your pediatrician may recommend a pharmaceutical treatment.
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