Reflux & GERD
Pediatric Reflux & GERD Care
From infant spit-up to teen heartburn, careful evaluation and a plan that fits your child.
Most infant spit-up is normal reflux that resolves with time. But when feeding is painful, growth slows, or symptoms persist into childhood, it deserves a careful pediatric GI evaluation.
Dr. Mendez distinguishes physiologic reflux from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), looks for related conditions like eosinophilic esophagitis or food allergy, and builds a plan that matches your child's age, growth, and symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
- Frequent spit-up or vomiting in infants
- Arching, crying, or pulling off during feeds
- Poor weight gain or feeding refusal
- Recurrent cough, congestion, or hoarseness
- Heartburn or chest pain in older kids and teens
- Regurgitation or sour taste in the mouth
- Trouble sleeping, especially flat on the back
- Dental enamel erosion (in older children)
How we treat it
- Full feeding and growth history, including bottle, breast, formula, or solid-food details.
- Targeted exam to assess hydration, growth, and any red flags.
- Conservative measures first: feeding changes, positioning, and thickening when appropriate.
- Thoughtful use of acid suppression only when truly indicated, with a plan to wean.
- Endoscopy and additional workup when symptoms persist or red flags appear.
When to call a pediatric GI
- Poor weight gain or feeding refusal in an infant.
- Forceful or bloody vomiting.
- Reflux that interferes with sleep, breathing, or daily life.
- Persistent heartburn or chest pain in a child or teen.
- Symptoms that do not improve on over-the-counter or prescribed acid suppression.
Frequently asked
Is reflux medication safe for babies?
Acid suppression in infants is safe when truly indicated, but it is also over-prescribed. We use it only when there is real evidence of GERD and we always plan how to wean.
Could my child's reflux actually be a food allergy?
Yes, cow's milk protein intolerance is a common mimic of reflux in infants, and food-related esophagitis (EoE) can look like reflux in older kids. We screen carefully for both.
When should we consider endoscopy?
When symptoms are severe, not responding to treatment, or there are warning signs like trouble swallowing, weight loss, or blood. We do endoscopy personally and only when it will change the plan.
Ready to talk it through?
Concierge access means we have the time to listen, evaluate carefully, and stay with your family through every step.