Do not over-feed your baby. Feeding your baby too much can make reflux symptoms worse. Their doctor or health care provider will tell you how much they should be eating with each feed.
Many parents have found that when introducing solid foods to their baby with infant reflux that some fruits and juices like oranges, apples, and tomatoes make the reflux worse. Let's take a look at a list of foods that increases the amount of burping and therefore may worsen an infant's reflux.
Some factors that contribute to infant reflux are common in babies and often can't be avoided. These include lying flat most of the time and being fed an almost completely liquid diet. Sometimes, infant reflux can be caused by more-serious conditions, such as: GERD .
It usually starts around the 2 to 3 week mark, peaks around 4 to 5 months, and typically goes away by about 9 to 12 months. Reflux is more likely to happen if a baby's belly is too full, if they're moved too quickly from laying to sitting or if they're experiencing pressure on their tummy after feeding.
Feed your baby a little bit less than usual if you're bottle-feeding, or cut back a little on nursing time. Take time to burp your baby. Frequent burps during and after feeding can keep air from building up in your baby's stomach. Put baby to sleep on the back.
Sometimes, an elimination trial of dairy from the mother's diet can help reduce baby reflux; keeping a food diary can help spot patterns in case there are any other food intolerances to be considered. Elimination diets are best done with support from a health professional.
While dummy use is often controversial as they have known advantages and disadvantages, some infants with reflux seem to benefit from using a dummy. Dummy use is a personal choice and this may be one option you could consider.
Excessive caffeine in mom's diet can contribute to reflux. Allergy should be suspected in all infant reflux cases. According to a review article in Pediatrics [Salvatore 2002], up to half of all GERD cases in babies under a year are associated with cow's milk protein allergy.
You shouldn't give your baby any medicines unless the doctor tells you to. Medicines for GERD in babies include: H2 blockers, which decrease acid production. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which lower the amount of acid the stomach makes.
Symptoms of GERD
Infants with this problem cry numerous times per day. They also act very unhappy when they are not crying. They are in almost constant discomfort.
If your baby brings up milk, or is sick during or after feeding, this is know as reflux – although it's also called posseting or spitting up. It's quite common and your baby should grow out of it, usually by the time they are 12 months old.
Use positions for feeding that keep baby's head higher than her tummy, such as a laid-back position or having baby diagonally across your chest in a cradle hold. Avoid positions that have baby bending at the waist, putting more pressure on her tummy.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that the back sleeping position be recommended in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux for mild to moderate cases 5.
If you are planning to cure acid reflux then going for cold milk is the best, but if you are looking for a remedy to cure body pain or treat sore throat or cold, or induce sleep then going for warm milk is the best. Also, if you have lactose intolerance, then it is best to avoid drinking regular milk.
If your baby has reflux, you can and should continue with tummy time. Try the positions where your baby is more upright such as on your chest, over your legs or on a gym ball. Remember to leave 20 to 30 minutes after a feed before placing your baby on their tummy to reduce vomiting and discomfort.
Babies sometimes spit up when burping, so position a towel or burp cloth under the baby's mouth on the parent's lap or shoulder when burping in those positions, or across the baby's chest when burping sitting up. If a baby has a history of spitting up or reflux, keep them upright for 15 to 30 minutes after feeding.
Babies who are breastfed have somewhat less reflux than those who are formula-fed. Avoid overfeeding – Try not to feed your baby more than they want. Allow your baby to stop feeding as soon as they seem satisfied or lose interest. If their stomach is too full, they are more likely to spit up.
Certain underlying causes such as allergy or oversupply can make reflux worse. Working with an IBCLC lactation consultant alongside your health professional can help find ways to reduce reflux or identify other possible reasons for an otherwise healthy breastfed baby to be miserable and fussy.
Certain foods such as caffeine, chocolate, and garlic – can promote reflux. Consider cutting these things out of your diet if you are breastfeeding your infant. Some of these foods can leave traces in your breastmilk and have a negative impact on the severity of your baby's reflux.
If GERD isn't treated, your baby may not eat well or gain weight. It can also cause symptoms like coughing, noisy breathing, and vomiting.
Quite a few different things can cause your little one to grunt and squirm. Things like struggling with bowel movements, acid reflux, blocked nasal passages, difficulty with oxygen intake, trouble passing gas, or hunger can result in this sort of behavior.
It is important to understand that newborns have immature respiratory and digestive systems, which can cause them to grunt, squirm, and even make noises while they sleep. These behaviors are often normal and do not necessarily indicate any problem or discomfort.