Diseases and Conditions
Infant reflux
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lifestyle and home remedies
Preparing for an appointment
Symptoms
Infant reflux generally isn't a cause for concern. It's unusual for the stomach contents to have enough acid to irritate the throat or esophagus and to cause signs and symptoms.
When to see a doctor
See your baby's doctor if your baby:
- Isn't gaining weight
- Consistently spits up forcefully, causing stomach contents to shoot out of his or her mouth (projectile vomiting)
- Spits up green or yellow fluid
- Spits up blood or a material that looks like coffee grounds
- Refuses food
- Has blood in his or her stool
- Has difficulty breathing or a chronic cough
- Begins spitting up at age 6 months or older
- Is unusually irritable after eating
Some of these signs can indicate possibly serious but treatable conditions, such as GERD or a blockage in the digestive tract.