Reflux in Infants

Source: MedlinePlus Health Topics, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Last synced 8/6/2026Status: primary verified

What is reflux (GER) and GERD? Gastroesophageal reflux (GER), often called reflux or spitting up, happens when food or milk comes back up from your baby's stomach into the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. Reflux is very common in healthy babies. It usually starts to get better by 6 months of age and goes away by 12 months. Reflux that continues after 18 months is unusual. Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD ) is a more serious and long-lasting type of reflux. It can cause feeding problems, discomfort, or other symptoms that affect your baby's growth or sleep. Babies may have GERD if symptoms prevent them from feeding well or last longer than 12 to 14 months. What causes reflux and GERD in infants? There is a muscle (the lower esophageal sphincter) that acts as a valve between the esophagus and stomach. When your baby swallows, this muscle relaxes to let food pass from the esophagus to the stomach. This muscle normally stays closed, so the stomach contents don't flow back into the esophagus. In babies who have reflux, this muscle is not fully developed and lets the stomach contents back up the esophagus. This causes your baby to spit up (regurgitate). As your baby grows and the sphincter muscle fully develops, your baby should no longer spit up. In babies who have GERD, the sphincter muscle becomes weak or relaxes when it shouldn't. This allows stomach contents to come up more often or cause irritation. How common are reflux and GERD in infants? Reflux is very common in babies and usually goes away on its own. Most babies spit up several times a day during their first 3 months. They usually stop spitting up between the ages of 12 and 14 months. GERD is less common. Babies may show symptoms, but they decrease with growth, with only a small number of babies affected by 12 months. Babies are more likely to have reflux or GERD if they: Were born too early ( premature ) Have lung problems, such as cystic fibrosis H

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This information is for general education and is not medical advice. Always talk to a licensed U.S. clinician about your situation, medications, or treatment decisions.