What to expect from a child health consultation for reflux in babies

The clinician may ask when milk comes back up, how much your baby feeds, whether feeds are comfortable, and how often wet nappies occur. Bring a record of feeds, spit-ups, crying episodes and any medicines or thickened feeds already tried.

Reflux happens when stomach contents move back towards the oesophagus. Spitting up can occur in otherwise well babies, but the consultation helps distinguish uncomplicated reflux from feeding difficulty, poor growth, allergy or another illness.

The clinician may check your baby's weight and length, hydration, breathing, abdomen and general alertness. Tests are not always needed. They may be considered when symptoms are severe, unusual, persistent or affecting growth.

Take the baby's health record and a list of feeding equipment, formula or supplements. If possible, note the timing and appearance of spit-up and whether your baby coughs, arches their back or refuses feeds.

Advice may include reviewing feed volumes and technique, keeping the baby upright while awake after feeds, and checking that feeds are not being forced. Always place your baby flat on their back for sleep, on a clear, firm sleep surface. Do not add cereal, change formula or use reflux medicine without clinical advice.

Seek urgent medical help if vomit is green or bloody, forcefully projectile, or accompanied by a swollen abdomen. Urgent assessment is also needed if your baby has trouble breathing, becomes unusually sleepy, has signs of dehydration, refuses several feeds or has markedly fewer wet nappies.

Contact your clinician promptly for repeated choking, persistent distress during feeds, blood in the stool, fever in a young infant, or concerns that your baby is not gaining weight. If you are worried about a sudden change, describe exactly what happened and when it began.

Ask whether your baby's growth and hydration are reassuring, which feeding changes are appropriate, and how to recognise worsening symptoms. You can also ask whether follow-up is needed, when treatment would be considered, and who to contact if feeds become difficult.