What causes spit ups and sleep disturbances in a baby?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am very concerned about my eight-month-old baby. She spits up after almost every feeding, seems extremely irritable, and has trouble sleeping, especially when lying down. She is also not gaining weight as expected, and I have noticed occasional coughing fits that seem unrelated to a cold. I am worried this might be GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or even a milk allergy. These symptoms are making it hard to manage her feeding and sleeping schedule, and I am anxious about her growth and health. Could these symptoms point to infant GERD or another underlying issue? What diagnostic steps, such as pH monitoring or allergy testing, and treatment options would you recommend for a baby with these symptoms?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

It can be due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a milk protein allergy. You need to consult a pediatrician promptly for evaluation.

I suggest you do the following tests. These include:

Observing feeding patterns.
Growth assessments.
pH monitoring to confirm GERD.
Allergy testing (e.g., for cow's milk protein).

I advise you to do the following:

Feeding adjustments, like smaller or more frequent meals.
Keeping her upright after feeding or using a thickened formula.

If milk allergy is suspected, a trial of hypoallergenic formula may help.

Medications like H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors may be prescribed for severe GERD.
Monitoring her weight gain and symptom improvement will guide care.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.