A–Z Glossary

Lower esophageal sphincter

The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscle valve that can be immature in infants, contributing to reflux and spit-up.

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How often to burp baby

How often to burp baby

There is no fixed burping schedule The answer to how often to burp a baby is individualized. The NHS explains that there are no exact rules: some babies need to burp during a feed, whereas others may only need an opportunity afterward. A baby may swallow more air during a rapid feed, an inefficient latch, […]

Baby reflux symptoms explained

Baby reflux symptoms explained

What baby reflux means Baby reflux, also called infant gastroesophageal reflux or GER, occurs when milk or stomach contents flow backward from the stomach into the esophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries swallowed milk from the mouth to the stomach. At the stomach entrance is the lower esophageal sphincter, a ring of […]

Baby hiccups causes and when to worry

Baby hiccups causes and when to worry

What baby hiccups are A hiccup is a brief, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm followed by closure of the glottis, the opening between the vocal cords. The reflex can be triggered by stimulation of nerves involved in breathing and swallowing, including the phrenic and vagus nerves. In babies, these pathways are still developing, and ordinary […]