Parents of older reflux children and teenagers have contributed to this information. Reflux in these children often goes undiagnosed, and if you have any concerns that your child may still be suffering from reflux beyond the expected age range, please discuss this with your child’s medical professional. It may just mean simple changes, or it may mean they need medication or other therapies.

The presentation of reflux in older children and teenagers can be difficult to notice, with many of them being so used to refluxing that they don’t realise it happens, and they may not be aware of the pain it can cause.

1. While most children with reflux will grow out of it at the expected age range (somewhere from 3 to 18 months), there are some who continue to suffer from reflux beyond that. They may have signs of reflux similar to that of babies (see How Reflux Presents)
2. For some children, it may look like their reflux is improving because their signs go away. Sometimes this just means that the signs have changed, and the reflux may still be a factor (eg a child who vomited may no longer do so, but can still be refluxing significantly).
3. They may begin to verbalise how they feel, with complaints such as
• “I feel sick”,
• “My tummy/chest/throat/ear hurts”,
• “I have a yukky taste in my mouth”.
4. There may be more behavioural issues- some of these may be
• extreme sensitivity,
• cries easily,
• easily irritated,
• “lose the plot” over very small issues,
• temper tantrums- either extreme, or out of the normal age range expected,
• demanding of attention,
• aggression,
• moodiness,
• clinginess,
• unable to be reasoned with
• lack of concentration
• self harming behaviours e.g. head banging, biting themselves, obsessive nail biting
• Sensory issues
• Teeth grinding
5. Eating problems such as
• fussy eating habits (some would rather go hungry than eat something they don’t want),
• having to stop eating due to pain in tummy or chest,
• difficulty swallowing,
• food aversions or sensitivities to different textures
• frequent demands for drinks of water; they may even drink fluids in preference to eating. Others may refuse to drink much.
6. Sleeping problems such as
• difficulty falling asleep,
• restless even while asleep,
• crying, moaning or swallowing even while asleep,
• waking up tired and cranky,
• asking for water overnight,
• frequent night waking
• waking up due to nightmares/bad dreams
• either sleeping very little, or sleeping for much longer than what is considered normal (some will need extra sleep to make up for it being so disturbed).
• Some will need/want to continue with the head of the bed being elevated, either with several pillows, a reflux wedge, or adding height with the use of bricks etc.
7. Appearing tired or lethargic even after a sleep
8. Looking pale
9. Frequent sore, red throat with no apparent infection
10. Throat clearing
11. Frequent (and sometimes loud) burping
12. Laryngitis, hoarse, raspy voice or other voice changes
13. Asthma
14. Congestion in nose or ears
15. Gagging or choking
16. Vocal cord nodules
17. Bad breath, or sour breath
18. Dental erosion or decay


You may find that any therapies used to correct any issues, such as behaviour, sleeping or eating may be ineffective until the underlying cause is adequately addressed.