When Your Baby Has GERD
Your baby has been diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is when acid from the stomach flows up into the esophagus. This is the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach.
When a baby has GERD, they may spit up more often after feeding. Or they may spit up a larger amount than you might expect. GERD often begins at 2 to 3 weeks of life and usually goes away by 1 year.
Home care
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Avoid overfeeding. Feed your baby small amounts more often.
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Make your baby's formula thicker with a thickening agent, if advised.
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Keep your baby upright during a feeding.
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Burp your baby often during feeding.
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Keep your baby upright for about 30 minutes after each feeding.
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Give your baby medicines exactly as directed by the health care provider.
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Keep a log that shows how much formula or breast milk your baby takes in each day. Take this log to the next visit with your child’s provider.
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Follow all other home care instructions from your provider. Ask questions if they aren’t clear.
Back sleeping every time
Even with GERD, make sure your baby sleeps on their back until age 1. This lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or crib death). Do it every time your baby sleeps, even for a short nap. Tell every caregiver. Side sleeping is not safe and not advised.
Follow-up care
If medicines and changes in feeding don’t ease symptoms, your child may need surgery. It may also be needed if they aren't gaining enough weight. Surgery often can't be done until a child is age 1 or older.
When to call the health care provider
Call your baby's provider right away if:
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Your baby has trouble gaining weight.
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Their spitting up or vomiting gets worse or doesn’t stop.
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There's a cough or wheezing that doesn’t go away.
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Your baby chokes often.
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Your baby refuses to feed.
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Your baby is irritable.
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They have trouble sleeping.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Lalitha Kadali Researcher
Online Medical Reviewer:
Melinda Murray Ratini DO
Date Last Reviewed:
11/1/2024
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.