The term "Gastro-esophageal reflux" or GE Reflux, refers to a weakness of the muscle between the esophagus and stomach, which allows acidic stomach material to flow back up into the esophagus. Infants and children with this condition may experience vomiting and weight loss or slow weight gain.

Some children may experience "heartburn" and are extremely irritable, especially after eating. Symptoms seem to worsen with fruit juices and other tart liquids.

There are several measures that you as a parent can take to alleviate the symptoms of GE Reflux.

• Offering small, frequent feedings will often decrease stomach distention that can aggravate the reflux.

• Thickening the formula with enough rice cereal so that a spoon will just remain upright in the bottle of the thickened formula will help to keep the feeding down in the stomach. Enlarge the nipple hole slightly to accommodate the thickened liquid. Enfamil AR formula is also an option to mixing the rice into the formula, and doesn’t require the nipple to be enlarged. This formula thickens in the stomach.

• If breastfeeding, offer some thickened cereal – mixed with expressed breast milk or formula – after each nursing, and in between feedings on each side.

• Frequent burping and gentle handling of the child with reflux are also important.

• Proper positioning of the child is extremely important. For those with minimal symptoms, holding the child upright after feedings may be sufficient. DO NOT use a car seat for this…it increases the pressure and as the child scoots down the symptoms may actually worsen.

• Children with more severe symptoms may need to be kept in an upright position 24 hours a day, but it is not necessary to maintain such with bathing, changing diapers or dressing, etc.