Infancy is a period marked by rapid development, often bringing common experiences like teething and infant acid reflux. Parents often wonder if there’s a connection between emerging teeth and reflux symptoms. Understanding both conditions and their potential interplay can help clarify this common parental concern.
What is Teething?
Teething is when a baby’s primary teeth begin to emerge through the gums. This natural developmental stage typically starts around six months of age, though some infants may begin as early as four months or as late as twelve months. The process can continue until a child is about two or three years old, when all twenty baby teeth have usually appeared.
Common signs of teething include increased drooling, fussiness, and a desire to chew on objects. Gums may appear swollen or tender, and some babies might experience a mild temperature below 38°C. Other indicators can involve a flushed cheek, rubbing of the ear, or changes in sleeping and eating patterns.
What is Infant Acid Reflux?
Infant acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GER), occurs when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus. This is a common occurrence in babies due to the immaturity of their lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle that normally keeps food in the stomach. As infants grow, this muscle strengthens, and reflux symptoms often resolve by 12 to 18 months of age.
Symptoms of infant reflux can include frequent spitting up or vomiting, discomfort during or after feedings, and arching the back. Babies may also exhibit fussiness, crying, or a refusal to feed. While occasional spitting up is common and often harmless, persistent symptoms, poor weight gain, or significant distress may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a more severe form of reflux.
Unpacking the Teething-Reflux Link
Teething does not directly cause acid reflux in babies. Instead, the perceived connection arises from teething’s discomfort and physiological changes, which can exacerbate existing, even mild, reflux symptoms. Both teething and reflux are common during infancy, leading to a natural overlap in their occurrence.
Increased drooling accompanies teething. Babies produce more saliva to soothe their irritated gums, and this excess saliva is swallowed. While saliva contains natural antacids, swallowing large amounts can still upset a baby’s digestive system, potentially leading to increased spit-up or worsening reflux.
Discomfort and irritability from teething can also influence a baby’s feeding and sleeping patterns. Teething pain might cause babies to feed more frequently for comfort, or conversely, refuse to eat due to sore gums. Changes in feeding habits, increased crying, and swallowing more air during fussiness can put additional pressure on the immature LES, making existing reflux symptoms more noticeable. Therefore, while teething does not initiate reflux, it can certainly intensify its visible manifestations.
Supporting Your Baby Through Discomfort
Practical strategies can ease a baby’s discomfort from both teething and reflux. For teething, parents can gently massage their baby’s gums with a clean finger. Offering chilled, solid teething rings or a cool, wet washcloth for chewing can provide soothing relief. It is important to avoid liquid-filled teething rings, amber necklaces, or products containing benzocaine. If discomfort is significant, a pediatrician may recommend infant-safe pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, adhering to proper dosage and age guidelines.
To alleviate infant reflux symptoms, keeping the baby in an upright position during and for at least 30 minutes after feedings is beneficial. Offering smaller, more frequent meals can reduce the pressure on the stomach and LES. Frequent burping during and after feedings helps release swallowed air, which contributes to reflux.
Seek medical advice if your baby exhibits concerning symptoms. Consult a healthcare professional if reflux symptoms are severe, include forceful or projectile vomiting, or if vomit contains green or yellow fluid or blood. Other reasons to consult a doctor include poor weight gain, refusal to feed, persistent coughing or difficulty breathing, or if symptoms appear for the first time after six months or continue past 12 to 18 months.