Silent reflux can be very confusing there may be no obvious signs of reflux (such as vomiting) and the child generally isn’t ‘silent’. Silent reflux refers to refluxed material that goes up the oesophagus, but isn’t forced out of the mouth. The child may swallow it back down or the stomach contents/stomach acids may not come up the oesophagus far enough to be swallowed. This can be very distressing for the baby and cause problems; and can be even more damaging because it can sit in the oesophagus longer than if the child vomited. Medical intervention may be necessary because the same complications can arise, however it can be harder to recognise without any noticeable vomiting. If they are comfort feeders as well, then poor growth may not be an issue, and they may in fact have huge weight gains. This can also contribute to a delay in diagnosis.

Some people mistakenly believe this term refers to a child who does not cry with their reflux, but this is not the case.