TOP TEN INFANT REFLUX AND GERD MYTHS

RMacLean
March 2005

THE MYTHS

1. MYTH: Reflux or GERD isn't a serious condition, it's no big deal
2. MYTH: If a baby doesn't spit up, they can't have reflux
3. MYTH: Reflux and GERD don't hurt the baby/child, it's not painful
4. MYTH: A baby or child with GERD will eat when they are hungry
5. MYTH: Reflux and GERD are the same thing
6. MYTH: The baby/child looks fine, they can't be that sick
7. MYTH: All babies outgrow it in a couple weeks/months
8. MYTH: GERD can be cured with medication or surgery
9. MYTH: The mother's stress or tension is causing the problems
10. MYTH: Giving a child drugs to suppress acid will inhibit their ability to digest food

THE REALITY

1. TRUTH: Although many babies experience little to no discomfort or complications from their reflux or GERD (referred to as happy spitters) all too many suffer quite serious and potentially even life threatening complications that make it quite serious. Learn more about the complications of GERD »
2. TRUTH: Generally spitting up is the symptom most commonly associated with reflux or GERD and that's possibly because it is the most common symptom. Spitting up does not have to exist in order for a child to have reflux; however. When reflux or GERD is present without vomiting or spitting, it's referred to as silent reflux. Learn more about silent reflux »
3. TRUTH: Anyone who has ever experienced severe heartburn should know this is simply not true. If heartburn is painful to adults, painful enough to be mistaken for heart attacks at times, imagine how a little baby or child must feel to experience this sensation. And make no mistake, a child that is not medicated (and even some who are) is having their esophagus, and throat bathed in acid with every single reflux episode.
4. TRUTH: Although generally speaking this is true, many children with GERD are the exceptions. They learn that food hurts terribly and become desperately afraid of it. It is not uncommon for these children to actually be force fed and require tube feeding in order to grow, thrive and even survive.
5. TRUTH: Reflux and GERD are two very different things. Reflux simply refers to the action of stomach contents backing up into the esophagus. It is referred to as GERD when complications arise that require medical intervention. Read more about the difference between the terms »
6. TRUTH: Generally babies with reflux and GERD are happiest and feel the best when they are not being fed. Consequently, parents tend to arrange for visits, outings, and anything else they need to do around these non-feeding times during the day. This tends to be the only time people see the baby so it can be difficult to imagine the baby that appears so happy can be as sick as the parent's report. Don't be fooled, just because the baby appears to be smiling, laughing and healthy during the short time they are out, does not mean they are not choking, vomiting, screaming, not eating, etc...the rest of the day
7. TRUTH: It is true that the majority of babies will have outgrown reflux by their first birthday, a percentage of these kids do not and continue to suffer with reflux or GERD throughout their lives. For these children, it is a chronic, life long disease they must manage, just as any other chronic condition.
8. TRUTH: There is no cure for GERD. Medication and surgery only serve to hopefully ease the pain and symptoms.
9. TRUTH: Although it's certainly true that babies can sense their mother's anxiety, and it's true that stress can increase reflux activity, reflux or GERD is not caused by a mother's stress.
10. TRUTH: While hydrochloric acid found in the digestive system is there to digest our food, it is not the only means by which food gets digested. There are many different enzymes also involved in the process and proton pump inhibitors do nothing to reduce the amount of digestive enzymes in the digestive system.