Babies experience reflux more frequently than adults because their digestive systems are still developing, and they lie down more often than adults. Reflux occurs when stomach contents return to the esophagus. In addition to causing discomfort, it may also lead to other problems. Parents can try a few things to reduce their baby’s reflux.For mothers, breastfeeding is an incredibly gratifying experience that connects them with their children in a unique way.
Let’s explore natural remedies to cope with the baby’s reflux.
Different Ways To Cope With Baby’s Reflux
Feeding From A Upright Position
The position in which you feed your baby can have an impact on their digestion. Feeding your baby in a more upright position allows gravity to work in their favor and keep the milk in their stomach. Specifically, it can help to reduce the chances of developing reflux. Whether your baby is breastfed or bottle-fed, you should try this position with them.
Keep Baby Upright After Feeding
It is essential to keep your baby upright after feeding to prevent spit-up, reflux, and silent reflux symptoms. After your baby has finished feeding, wait for 25 to 30 minutes before laying him down for a nap. Keeping the newborn baby upright will allow his stomach to settle and may reduce the amount of milk he brings up.
Give Smaller But Frequent Feeds
Suppose you are a parent of a baby with reflux. In that case, your doctor may have recommended feeding your baby smaller, more frequent meals because encouraging them to have shorter feeds can help prevent their tummy from becoming too full. However, it is essential to ensure that your baby is breastfed or given a bottle often, as they may become hungry.
Make Sure Your Burp After Every Feeding
Making sure your baby burps after every feeding is one of the most important things you can do for their health. Burping helps release gas and relieve pressure in the stomach, preventing reflux. If you don’t burp your baby after a feeding, the risk of them developing reflux increases.
Change The Bottle
Parents of infants often have to deal with the challenges of infant’s reflux and colic. You can reduce the risk by changing the bottle and getting the bottle with a nipple that has a small hole. It will help reduce the air the baby takes in while feeding.
Change Breastfeeding Position
Many different positions can be used while breastfeeding; each mother and baby will find what works best for them. However, some methods are thought to be helpful for babies with reflux. If you have breastfed baby with reflux, you may want to try a cradle, side-lying, or upright position.
Causes Of Reflux In Babies
Parents often ask me what might be causing their baby’s reflux. While there are many potential causes, lying flat most of the time and being born immature, here are the most common:
GERD: The reflux contains enough acid to cause irritation and damage the esophageal lining.
Pyloric stenosis: A valve known as the pyloric sphincter separating the stomach and the small intestine is narrowed, thereby preventing stomach contents from emptying into the small intestine.
Food intolerance: A protein found in cow’s milk is the most common allergen.
Eosinophilic esophagitis: is an inflammatory condition caused by the build-up of white blood cells called eosinophils.
Sandifer syndrome: This can lead to abnormal head movements and rotation, as well as seizure-like movements. It’s a rare complication of GERD.
When To Visit Your Doctor
If your baby is suffering from reflux, it’s essential to visit your doctor so that they can properly diagnose and treat the condition. Reflux can be extremely painful for babies and cause them to vomit up or vomit frequently. Health problems can become more severe if reflux is left untreated. Visit your doctor if your baby:
- If your baby isn’t gaining weight
- Consistently spits up
- Vomitus that is predominantly green or yellow.
- Refuses food
- If the baby has blood in their stool
- Difficulty in breathing
- unusual irritation after eating
Verdict
There are many ways to cope with a baby’s reflux. Some of the most common methods are burping, keeping the baby upright after feedings, and ensuring the baby’s head is higher than the stomach. Medication use may also be helpful if none of these methods work. Talk to your doctor to find your baby’s best course of action. For more information visit our page.
