Why we probably shouldn’t Give Antacids to Infants

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is very common among infants, but most outgrow it by the time they reach their first birthday, and it is rare for GERD to continue past the age of two. This condition occurs when acidic stomach contents move backward (reflux) into the lower esophagus, often because the muscle that connects the esophagus and stomach relaxes inappropriately or is weak. Symptoms of GERD in babies include routinely spitting up food or vomiting after eating, irritability or sudden crying after eating, a “wet burp” or “wet hiccup” sound, and poor weight gain or weight loss. Like adults with GERD, babies are probably experiencing the same discomfort of heartburn. To overcome this we give antacids to the infant which neutralizes stomach acidity.

Researchers say many antacids are ineffective in helping stomach problems while some may increase a baby’s risk for bone fractures. An infant’s pain can be heartbreaking to watch for some new parents. We instinctively want to make them better as quickly as possible. But sometimes the easiest solution comes with unexpected consequences. Infant reflux, which is also called gastroesophageal reflux (GER), is when stomach acid flows back into the tube connecting a baby’s mouth and stomach. It’s one reason why babies spit up. This condition is rarely serious. It happens less frequently as baby gets older.

Are antacids harmful to infants?

Acid suppression in infants may be appropriate in certain cases of GERD, there’s a growing body of evidence that acid-suppression medication use in infants is not only ineffective but may be associated with many adverse effects that include an increased risk of infections.

Common antacids that neutralize the body’s stomach acid to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.

Some of them are:

Pepto-Bismol

Milk of Magnesia

Alka-Seltzer

Tums

But there are two types of powerful antacids that have broader effects on the stomach as compared to the normal antacids.

H2 blockers which are also called histamine H2 receptor antagonists, work by actually decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach, rather than neutralizing the acids what’s already there. They include ranitidine (Zantac) and famotidine (Pepcid).

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are now the most commonly prescribed class of medication to relieve stomach acid-related disorders like GED or GRED. They work by completely blocking the cells that produce acid in the stomach. Examples of PPIs include omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid).

Smaller, more frequent feedings

Antacids aren’t the only way to relieve GER or GERD symptoms. There are many simple actions that parents can take on their own. Parents can try smaller, more frequent feeds and holding the infant upright for at least 20 minutes after a bottle as the first intervention. They should also be sure the babies are burping adequately.