Understanding Reflux

What happens during reflux?

When a baby swallows, milk travels down the oesophagus and into the stomach. At the bottom of the oesophagus sits the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) — a ring of muscle that opens to allow milk into the stomach and then closes to help prevent stomach contents travelling back upwards. Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is when stomach contents flows back past the LOS and into the oesophagus.

When does reflux become GORD?

When reflux causes troublesome symptoms that affect a baby’s wellbeing or leads to complications, it may be diagnosed as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

Looking at the whole picture

Reflux describes the movement of stomach contents — it does not, by itself, explain why a baby is experiencing symptoms. Feeding mechanics, aerophagia, milk transfer, allergy and other medical causes may all need to be considered when looking at the whole picture.