Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) occurs when stomach contents come back up into the oesophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) during or after a meal. A ring of muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus opens and closes to allow food to enter the stomach. This ring of muscle is called the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). This sphincter opens to release gas (burping) after meals in normal infants, children and adults. When the sphinct opens in infants, the stomach contents often go up the oesophagus and out the mouth (spitting and vomiting). GER can also occur when babies cough, cry or strain. Most infants with GER are happy and healthy even though they spit up or vomit.

How Yoga can help a child with Reflux…

Yoga will help you to digest your food in a much better way. If the food is digested efficiently, it will be difficult for GER to really get hold of you. Certain postures and breathing exercises can also help strengthen your gastric system, making it less susceptible to GER or acid reflux. It is best to avoid inversions, heavy squeezing of the tummy and too much rocking.