Some babies with acid reflux will no longer experience symptoms after 12 to 18 months, so although it’s normal to be concerned, there’s no need to be alarmed. However, there are some babies that continue to show symptoms even after a year, and cases like this needs immediate medical attention. This article will talk about some symptom of acid reflux in baby and how to check for their severity.

Mild Symptoms

A baby spitting doesn’t necessarily mean he/she has acid reflux. To check for mild symptoms of acid reflux, take note of what happened before, during, and after your baby displayed certain behaviors:

- Before Feeding – Is your baby constantly refusing to feed every time your try to feed him/her? Understandably, a baby may refuse to feed because he/she is simply full. However, if your baby is constantly refusing to feed, that’s a clear sign that he or she may be experiencing mild symptoms of acid reflux.

- During Feeding – Spitting or vomiting while feeding is very normal. But if you find your baby constantly spitting every single time you feed him/her, he or she may have acid reflux. However, your baby may spit while crying. So take note of certain behaviors and figure out when these behaviors occur. If they happen (spitting, vomiting, or coughing) while your baby is feeding or crying, then he or she may have mild symptoms of acid reflux.

- After Feeding – Take note of what happens after your baby displays peculiar behavior. If your baby is spitting or coughing during feeding and falling asleep right after feeding, then he or she may have acid reflux. The reason for this is that when a baby or adult lies down right after eating, the acid tends to travel to the esophagus. Of course, babies tend to sleep a lot, which is why the condition is so common among them. Babies that tend to do vigorous activity after feeding also has a higher risk of reflux.

Severe Symptoms

Other than spitting, vomiting, and coughing, there are other symptom of acid reflux in baby that may be much worse. To identify potentially severe symptoms, take note of:

- The Persistence of Symptoms – If your baby has been displaying symptoms for more then 18 months, then the condition might never go away unless treatment is applied.

- The Onset of Other Complications – If it has come to a point that your baby is developing slower than a healthy baby should, then this is almost a sure sign that the acid reflux is getting worse. Because of discomfort or pain, a baby with acid reflux will continue to feed poorly even after several months. This makes things even worse as the digestive system can be severely affected. Your baby may have a bloody stool and loss of blood. Generally, a baby may gain or lose weight suddenly with worse cases of acid reflux.

Licorice root, otherwise known as DGL is a natural herb that is used in many applications. It is also known as Yashti-Madhu, sweet root, Spanish licorice and Glycyrrhiza glabra. All forms are available widely on and off line. Licorice root is a natural supplement with expectorant properties. This can help with the release of damaged mucous lining caused by GERD which is why licorice root and acid reflux disease are sometimes mentioned together. With some properties of cortisone and estrogen, it also helps the body deal with stress.

Stress has not been shown to actually cause acid reflux, but it does typically heighten the symptoms to an extent. On the other hand, studies have shown that relaxation or stress relieving drugs, vitamins or minerals can significantly decrease the intensity of the symptoms.

By process, since licorice root helps us deal with stress, it tends to keep the body in a more relaxed state. This lessens the effects of GERD.

Licorice root is chemically known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice or DGL. Most of it is produced in Greece, Turkey and Asia. It has been used for centuries as a folk treatment for many disorders including acid reflux disease. Many users say that it is pleasant to take as it has a naturally pleasing flavor. This makes DGL a favorite of many sufferes looking for relief from their symptoms.

Licorice root as an acid reflux disease remedy is not used as a cure, but as a pain reliever. Regular dosing of licorice is said to lessen the pain of GERD symptoms during flare ups. So by default, it is a preventive measure as well. Patients who use licorice root report that usually once a day is sufficient, but twice daily might be called for in severe cases. Licorice root is not normally used in cases where there is already severe damage to the esophagus lining. It is more widely used in sufferers with mild symptoms like heartburn and indigestion.

The important thing to know here is that using licorice root, with it’s natural properties, is a good way to lessen the effects of GERD before they occur. DGL seems to have some effect on gastric acid production as well since it is widely used in the treatment of some types of stomach ulcers. In Japan, physicians have prescribed a man-made form of licorice to treat ulcer patients. While this treatment is not available in the USA, it has had some profound results in Japan.

A study was done on 100 patients that had not improved with conventional treatments. These patients were given the synthetic licorice for 6 weeks. Of these, 90 percent showed a pointed improvement. In 22 cases, the ulcers disappeared completely.

So even as a folk remedy or in a synthetic form, DGL or licorice root is shown to be effective as a pain reliever for GERD symptoms, as an effective preventive therapy and as an acid production reducer. All of these are good omens for the GERD sufferer.

As always, you should consult your physician before starting on a regimen of licorice root in any form. Some allergic reactions have been reported as well. So, to be safe, talk to your doctor to find out if a licorice root – acid reflux disease remedy is right for you.