Home Remedies for Acid Reflux in a Baby

Spitting up during feedings isn't unusual for many babies; but spitting up too much could be a sign of acid reflux. Sometime medication is necessary, but it's best to get a second opinion before giving a foreign substance to a baby with such a delicate digestive system. In most cases this is a situation that can be resolved naturally. There are a number of home remedies for acid reflux for a baby that work.

Keep Feeding Time Quiet

• Make each feeding time a quiet, peaceful time. Try making sure to establish a calm environment, and feed your baby when she is relaxed. Avoid too much stimulation after feeding as well.

Burp Frequently

• Babies with acid reflux should be burped periodically while feeding. It helps keep air from building up in his tiny stomach which can aggravate acid reflux. Start by burping your baby before feeding. Hold him upright in your lap. Support his head with your hand, and rub or pat his back. Do not burp your baby over your shoulder because it puts pressure on the abdomen. Burp midway through feeding, and again when you are done.

Check the Hole Size of the Nipple

• There are bottles for each stage of your baby's feeding development. The nipples of the bottles will have six holes of varying size. If you have a baby with acid reflux, you should check the nipple to make sure it's the right size. A hole that's too big will cause the milk to flow too fast. If it's too small your baby will have to work much harder to get milk and may end up gulping in extra air. To check your nipple to make sure you have the right size, hold a bottle of milk upside down. Only a few drops of milk should trickle out when you do this.

Thicken the Milk

• Sometimes adding a small amount of baby cereal to formula or expressed breast milk can help ease your baby's acid reflux. You'll probably need to adjust the size of the nipple hole so that the baby can drink the thicker milk or formula. Before doing this, discuss it with your doctor to make sure it's okay.