Infant Acid Reflux

All adults are very familiar with acid reflux, also referred to as indigestion, and usually they treat it with antacids that have been purchased over the counter.

We take two of those and remain upright for as long as it takes to go away, then we lay back down and are ready for another day of eating good food. Unfortunately, an infant may suffer from infant acid reflux, and it may make baby’s tiny life utterly miserable.

If you suspect your baby of having infant acid reflux, look for the signs of it and note when they occur in conjunction to feeding the child. The signs of infant acid reflux are varied, but in general they are: poor feeding, irritability, blood in stools, coughing, vomiting, and spitting. Rest assured, however, that most babies go through a period of infant acid reflux no matter what is done to stop it or prevent it.

There are a number of ways, beyond medical prescription help that may aid the average parent to deal with infant acid reflux. First, make sure that feeding times are kept relaxing and enjoyable.

Try to feed the infant prior to the child having to yell and scream trying to let you know that they are hungry. Keep the baby in a sitting up position after having eaten. Just as you would not lie down right after a meal because it may bring on indigestion, so too is it important for your baby to not lay down immediately after feeding.

In adults, often acid reflux is halted if the adult eats more frequently but only takes a small amount of food. The same practice may stop infant acid reflux. Feed often, but limit the amount of the feeding.

Just as a burp frequently stops adult acid reflex, so too will burps help tremendously in stopping infant acid reflux. Take the time to burp the baby after they have fed. Contrary to how grandma did it, do not place the baby over your shoulder, as this may cause pressure on the child’s stomach therefore making the problem worse.

Often an instant cure to infant acid reflux is as simple as raising the head of the crib, just as one is usually told to raise the head of the bed for an adult suffering from acid reflux. Infants will especially love the change of perspective too.

If none of those hints seem to be helpful, you may ask your pediatrician if perhaps thickening either the formula or your own expressed milk might make a difference. Should you get the go ahead, add a small amount of rice cereal to the milk, making sure that the hole in the nipple is large enough for the thickened milk to get through easily.

Baby nipples are large enough if a few drops come out by themselves when held upside down. A child who has to work too hard to reach the milk may give up or force air into its stomach when sucking too hard, and thus create infant acid reflux because of it.

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Infant Acid Reflux

infants with acid reflux

Infant Acid Reflux

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