Hello Dr. Olson:

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge on this site.

Our son't reflux is advanced - the amount of vomiting per meal seems to be closely related to his activity level. If he eats and goes to sleep, there is NO vomiting at all - if active or agitated, alot. He is 5 months old.

Do you find this a common correlate for refluxers? Any suggestions?

Thanks
Grace

Hi, Jamie,

We like to make the distinction in GER between the "happy spitter" and the "fussy spitter". This distinction separates the babies who have GER (the ones who spit, vomit, gain weight, smile and are happy) from the babies with GERD (disease) who do the same thing but are fussy, irritable with these behaviors correlating with eating and the reflux.

So...active babies reflux more than inactive ones, all other factors the same. Activity increases the pressure in the abdomen and this overcomes the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter.

If your baby is just a happy spitter, nothing is wrong. If your baby has GERD, then the advice on this web site and from your doctor should be helpful.

Good luck, dr. Olson