How to Help Infant Reflux

Acid reflux in babies can be caused by a number of things including a defect in the area where the stomach meets the esophagus, reactions to certain foods, or an immature connection between the brain and the stomach. The gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD as it is commonly called, can cause discomfort in your baby, excessive spitting up, and coughing attacks. If your baby has been diagnosed with infant reflux, there are several things that you can do to help manage the symptoms.

Instructions

• 1

  If your doctor has prescribed certain medications for your baby such as Prevacid or Zantac, make sure that you follow dosage instructions and do not miss a dose. Missing one dose of these medications could cause a relapse.

• 2

  According to the La Leche League, breastfed babies have fewer and less severe episodes of infant reflux. If you are breastfeeding, continue doing so. If not, talk to your doctor about the best formula option for your baby. It might take a few different formulas to find one that works best for your child.

• 3

  Give your baby smaller, more frequent feedings. When adults suffer from GERD, they are given the same advice of eating smaller meals throughout the day. The larger the feedings, the more stomach acid is produced. Also, there is more to throw up if the meal is larger. With small meals, there is less stomach acid and the food is digested quicker.

• 4

  Burp frequently throughout your baby's feedings. This will release any trapped air and help prevent large spit ups and infant reflux episodes.

• 5

  Hold your baby in an upright position after feedings. If you must put your baby down, sit them in a swing, carrier, or bouncy seat that has at least at 45 degree angle.

• 6

  If your infant is having several reflux episodes at night, talk to your doctor about positioning your baby's mattress at an incline so that he sleeps with his head elevated above his stomach.

• 7

  Have your baby suck on a pacifier between meals and when she sleeps. Sucking on a pacifier encourages the production of saliva. This saliva travels down your baby's esophagus and helps keep the acid in the stomach.