Reflux in Infants: Diagnosis and Treatment

How do doctors treat reflux?

Doctors can treat most reflux by changes to your infant’s diet or feeding routine. Examples of these treatments include:

• Changing your infant’s position during feeds
• Providing smaller feeds more often
• Keeping them upright for 20-30 minutes after feeds
• Thickening their milk or formula

Medications are only used for infants who develop concerning symptoms and do not respond to the strategies above. These medications may help ease discomfort or heartburn that can occur with reflux. They may or may not reduce how often your infant has reflux episodes. Over time, most infants come off these medications after 6 months of age.

What else will the doctor check for at my infant's appointment for reflux?

Your infant’s doctor will review how well they’re feeding and growing. Depending on your infant’s medical history, the doctor may consider testing their stool, ordering images of their abdomen or sending them to a pediatric gastroenterologist for continued medical care.

Rev. 10/2019. Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any of the brands listed on this handout. This handout is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treatment of any medical conditions.