Stomach contents are acidic, and when they come back up, they can cause a burning sensation in the throat or mouth known as heartburn. While most babies and young children with reflux remain happy and healthy, it sometimes can cause the following:
- Frequent spitting up or vomiting
- Fussiness and crying after eating
- Eating only small amounts or refusing to eat
If your baby or toddler has blood in their vomit, wheezing or frequent choking, they should see a doctor. You should also take your child to the doctor if they are losing weight or don’t seem to be growing on schedule. These could be signs that your child has GERD.
Older children who have reflux may complain of heartburn, and they also may taste food or stomach acid in the back of their mouth. If this happens more than twice a week, it may be GERD. Other symptoms of GERD in children include:
- Bad breath
- Nausea and vomiting with blood or greenish-yellow fluid
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- A feeling of food stuck in the throat
- Trouble breathing, such as wheezing or a chronic cough
