How to Treat Your Baby's Acid Reflux without Medicine

Most babies have acid reflux for the first few months of life due to an immature digestive system. Symptoms range from mild to extreme. The more extreme cases can result in projectile vomiting, and crying during feedings from the pain. It is a hard decision to put your baby on medication even in the more extreme cases, but it is also hard to see your little one suffer when you may be able to provide help. Before you resort to prescription drugs, try these solutions for coping with your baby's reflux.

Things You'll Need

• Time
• Patience

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Instructions

• 1

  Make sure your baby is positioned in an upright manor during feedings. Try to keep your baby's head above their waist.

• 2

  Do not feed your baby too fast. Feedings should last at least ten minutes. If yours is much shorter, find out why. Make sure you are using the correct nipple. They come in many sizes. The higher the number, the quicker the flow. For newborns, start out with 0-1.

• 3

  Experiment with different formulas. There are so many to choose from it can be overwhelming, but don't get discouraged. There are even formulas specifically formulated for baby's with reflux. You may go through a dozen types before you find one that works. Also, don't switch too fast. You need at least a week to see if a formula is working.

• 4

  With your doctors permission, you can add rice to your baby's formula to thicken it up. This may encourage it to stay down. You can start off with 1-2 teaspoons for every 3 ounces. If you do get permission, make sure you use rice cereal.

• 5

  Burp your baby frequently during feedings. Burp soon after you start, about halfway through, and again after the baby is finished.

• 6

  After feedings, be sure to hold your baby upright for at least fifteen minutes.