Newborn babies bring with them a new set of worries for parents. And with all of the the health issues to watch for, and be aware of, who would dream feeding time could be an issue?

One of the least suspected problems is reflux. It's something that does not usually start until a baby is two or three weeks old. Here's what Pediatrician Joe Matusic says is okay.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD, Pediatrician
I tell parents, it's normal to have a wet burp every meal. To spit up one mouth full once a day is probably okay. Once you go past that we get concerned the child may have reflux.

Reflux is essentially, a child that spits up, too much. Here's how that's measured.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD
A mouthful two or three time a a day or especially if they throw up after every meal. Then we get concerned.

Here are few things to try to avoid the spit ups. If you are breast feeding try a different position. If you're bottle feeding, ask your doctor about adding rice cereal.
Try and burp the baby more frequently during feeding. And try feeding more frequently, but less at each meal. And pay attention to how you lay them down in the crib.

Dr Joe Matusic, MD
After you feed them lay them on their belly with their head in the air about 45 degrees, put blankets under the mattress. That's the reflux position. The hardest position to throw up in. And that seems to help out a bit.

If none of the methods help, the doctor says there is medicine to try. In some cases over the counter medicines are prescribed. The Doctor says they can be used with generally few side effects.

As for the extent of the condition, Dr. Matusic says most babies outgrow reflux by around the age of five or six months. In some cases, the condition can last until eight or nine months. Dr. Matusic has more details on reflux on his website, babymd.net

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