Reflux in babies

Reflux is very common. At least 40% of infants will experience reflux at some point, which may make them reluctant to feed.¹

What is reflux?

Infant reflux happens when a baby’s stomach contents escape back up into their oesophagus (food pipe), which can cause a baby to “spit up” milk or vomit. Reflux usually happens soon after a feed.

Although some babies with reflux do not seem upset by it, stomach acid can escape into the oesophagus along with food. This is why reflux is sometimes called “acid reflux” and can cause pain and irritation. Babies may become reluctant to feed or refuse to continue feeding even when they’re still hungry.

What causes reflux?

Young babies may have an immature or weak valve between their stomach and the oesophagus. This may allow the stomach contents to escape through the valve back into the oesophagus.

As the valve linking the stomach and oesophagus matures, the signs of reflux lessen. By the time babies are 12 months of age, symptoms will usually have resolved altogether.

What are the symptoms of reflux in babies?

Symptoms of reflux include:

Frequent spitting up, milk vomit, gulping or a reflux cough

Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep

Sudden bursts of crying as though in pain while feeding or soon after a feed

Reluctance to feed or refusing to feed while still hungry

How is reflux managed?

It’s important to talk to a healthcare professional for advice on how to manage reflux in babies, particularly if your baby’s reflux is interfering with their feeding or causing them distress.

Your doctor or healthcare professional can provide advice on reflux remedies or a reflux formula that may help your baby.

What else can I do?

You can also consider the following lifestyle changes:

Hold your baby in an upright position while you feed them

Don’t put your baby to bed immediately after feeding

After a feed, keep your baby
in an upright position for
20-30 minutes

Try giving smaller feeds at
more frequent intervals

Reflux

Learn more about how you can help manage reflux.

Learn More

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions about Novalac and conditions that might impact your child’s feeding habits.

View All FAQs

Yes, Novalac Reflux is a thickened formula which is has been specially formulated to help provide relief to babies with reflux symptoms. It is designed to thicken in the stomach and not in the bottle, so it is easy for baby to drink. Novalac Reflux helps to reduce the severity and frequency of reflux episodes including regurgitation and infant acid reflux.

The thickener increases the formula’s viscosity, which helps reduce the frequency and volume of spit-up by preventing milk from easily flowing back into the esophagus, providing comfort to babies with reflux.

Yes, clinical studies have demonstrated that Novalac Reflux effectively reduces reflux symptoms and spitting up in infants diagnosed with acid reflux.^1,2

By reducing spit-up and acid reflux symptoms, Novalac Reflux may help decrease discomfort and fussiness associated with reflux in infants.

Need support or advice?

We offer a dedicated support line to assist you promptly with any questions or concerns you may have about Novalac products.

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Novalac is available
from pharmacies nationwide

Where to buy

The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, Clinical Practice Guideline – Gastrooesophageal reflux disease in infants, Oct 2019. Available at https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Gastrooesophageal_reflux_disease_in_infants/. Accessed Oct 2025.
Xinias I, et al. Dig Liver Dis. 2005;37(1):23-27.

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