It's common for infants to spit up after a meal. That little spit is called gastroesophogeal reflux or GER. But frequent vomiting associated with discomfort and difficulty feeding or weight loss may be caused by something more serious known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Both GER and GERD can cause the upward movement of stomach content, including acid, into the esophagus and sometimes into or out of the mouth. Often times, that vomiting is repetitive. The differences between the two conditions are marked by the severity and by the lasting effects.

Older children also can have GERD