|  | Family Health | Babies Health

Home Remedies for Infant Reflux

Gastrointestinal reflux (GER) is the backward flow of food or drink from the stomach back into the esophagus. It is common in newborns and occurs normally in two-thirds of infants. Whether you change your baby's diet or her sleep patterns, or you resort to purchasing a chair that helps relieve stomach pressure, infant GER can be reduced without the need for medication.

  1. Feedings

    • Studies have shown that although all babies experience reflux, those who are breastfed are less likely to experience GER as frequently. Ensure your baby has the proper nipple for her bottles (as the flow of the nipple changes with a baby's development). The bottle packaging contains age information.

      For formula fed babies, you can cut down on GER by purchasing specially designed formula that breaks down the whey particles to a finer powder solution so that it digests more easily in your infant's stomach. Similac, Enfamil and other major baby formula suppliers all make partially broken down whey protein formula for babies who have reflux. Try different types until you find the formula that works for your baby.

    Sleep Positioning

    • In 2003, the American Academy of Pediatrics introduced the "Back to Sleep" campaign for infants in an attempt to increase awareness of the health risks associated with sleeping in the prone position (stomach sleeping). While it is safer for an infant to sleep on his back (cutting down on the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the prone position does help cut down on infant reflux. If necessary, alternate sleep positioning in order to help give the infant more stomach sleeping time, but always watch your infant while he is on his tummy.

    Chalasia Chair

    • The chalasia chair is a specially designed chair for infants who suffer from gastrointestinal reflux disease. The chair can be inclined to different positions in order to relieve pressure from an infant's stomach and esophageal areas. Ask your child's pediatrician about obtaining and using a chalasia chair for your infant to treat her reflux at home.

Babies Health - Related Articles