Understanding Reflux
Bringing up milk and/or food is common in babies and young children. Most of the time this will improve with time.
Common in Babies & Young Children
Bringing up milk and/or food is common in babies and young children. Most of the time this will improve with time.
Age-Appropriate Evaluation
There are many causes for these symptoms and investigations and management will depend on the age and symptoms of the child.
Compassionate Care
With a compassionate approach and personalised treatment plans, we aim to make every visit a positive experience, ensuring both you and your child feel supported and well-cared-for.
Babies & Young Children
Common occurrence
Improves with Time
Natural resolution
Symptoms by Age
Reflux symptoms can vary significantly between babies and older children, requiring different evaluation approaches.
Babies & Young Children
Common and often improves with time
Older Children
May require medical evaluation
Common Symptoms
Recognizing reflux symptoms helps determine when medical evaluation is needed.
Spitting Up
Bringing up milk or food after feeding, common in babies.
Heartburn
Burning sensation in the chest, more common in older children.
Difficulty Swallowing
Pain or discomfort when swallowing food or liquids.
Regurgitation
Food or liquid coming back up into the mouth or throat.
Unpleasant Taste
Sour or bitter taste in the mouth from stomach contents.
Feeding Issues
Refusal to eat, fussiness during or after feeding.
Treatment Approaches
Treatment strategies vary based on age, symptoms, and underlying causes of reflux.
Lifestyle Modifications
Feeding position changes, smaller frequent meals, and avoiding trigger foods.
Dietary Changes
Identifying and avoiding foods that trigger reflux symptoms.
Medical Treatment
Medications to reduce stomach acid or improve stomach emptying when needed.
When to See a Specialist for Reflux
Some reflux in infants and children is normal, but certain signs indicate specialist evaluation is needed:
- ✓Persistent vomiting or regurgitation affecting growth or weight gain
- ✓Feeding refusal or extreme distress during feeds
- ✓Recurrent chest infections or chronic cough
- ✓Apnoea episodes in infants
- ✓Heartburn or chest pain in older children
- ✓Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- ✓Symptoms not responding to dietary changes
- ✓Blood in vomit or black/tarry stools
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
- →Detailed feeding and symptom history
- →Physical examination and growth assessment
- →Review of current medications and feeds
- →Discussion of feeding technique and positioning
- →Individualised management plan — dietary, positional, and medical
- →Investigation planning: pH study, impedance study, or gastroscopy if indicated
Referral & Medicare: A GP or paediatrician referral is required for Medicare rebates. Please bring your referral letter and any previous test results.